San Antonio, Texas, is perhaps the most patriotic city in the entire United States. But is this why it’s called the Military City, USA? Well, not really. The actual reason behind the title is that it’s home to not two or three but four military installations. This means it’s also home to a lot of active service members as well as veterans, making it a special place for the US military.
Although you might think you know all about San Antonio due to its popularity and significance as the home for many active and ex-military members, there still might be things that you don’t know about this place. Here are seven things about Military City USA that you might not know.
It is the 7th Largest City in the US
It’s the 7th most populated city in the US and 2nd most populated in Texas, after Houston, with a population of 1.5 million.
Alamo City is the State’s Most Popular Tourist Attraction
That’s true! Alamo City is the most visited tourist attraction in the whole of Texas. It has the country’s oldest church, the second oldest park, and the third-largest zoo.
Trademarked ‘Military City USA’
You must have heard people calling San Antonio the Military City, but did you know the title has been trademarked so that there is just one true Military City, USA? Alamo City has been known as Military City since World War II. The city officials loved the title so much that they decided to trademark it. San Antonia was granted exclusive use of the phrase ‘Military City USA’, in 2017 making it official. Well, if you’ve had any doubts or reservations about the title, better let them go.
First US Military Aviation Flight
San Antonio has a very rich history due to its significance as the Military City. The Alamo is also known for the first official military aviation flight that took off from Fort Sam Houston in 1910.
Home of Army Medicine
Not just this, San Antonio also has the largest army medical institution, Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), which employs about 8,000 professionals. Also, every military medic in the Department of Defense trains at JBSA.
One Giant Base
In 2005, all the four military installations, i.e., Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, Camp Bullis, and Fort Sam Houston, were officially combined to form Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). Although these bases are now united officially in name, they are scattered around the city, with each one of them having a different history and a unique purpose.
Camp Bullis Obstacle Course is Like No Other
Camp Bullis, one of the four army installations, has one of the toughest obstacle courses for physical military training. Camp Bullis is one of the best military training facilities and is spread across 30,000 acres. Due to the difficulty of the course, it has been repeatedly chosen for the Army’s ‘Best Warrior’ annual competition.
Being the Military City USA, San Antonio remains a special place for a lot of military members, both active and veterans. If you, too, are a military member in need of temporary military housing in San Antonio, contact Freedom TDY Crashpad. We provide affordable military lodging near Randolph AFB.
