Camp Dodge
Encyclopedia
Camp Dodge is a military installation in the city of Johnston
, Iowa
. Centrally located near the capitol of Iowa, it currently serves as the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard
. Original construction of the post began in 1907, to provide a place for the National Guard units to train. In 1917, the installation was handed over to national authorities and greatly expanded to become a regional training center for forces to participate in the First World War. Upon the end of the war, the post was downsized and turned back over to state authorities. Similarly, with the outbreak of Second World War, Camp Dodge was again handed over to the federal government; however, this time the post was only used as an induction center for new service members. Camp Dodge has served as a Guard and Reserve installation since the close of WWII.
The name Camp Dodge comes from Brigadier General Grenville M. Dodge, who organized Iowa's first National Guard unit in 1856. Although not a native-born Iowan, he became a well known figure and resided within the state for most of his adult life. He is considered a War hero for his service and also served a term as a U.S. Congressman representing the state.
Along with the numerous National Guard units located at Camp Dodge, the post is also home to the National Maintenance Training Center, Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa's emergency operations center, and the State Police academy.
Johnston, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,278 in the city, with a population density of . There were 6,618 housing units, of which 6,369 were occupied....
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Centrally located near the capitol of Iowa, it currently serves as the headquarters of the Iowa National Guard
Iowa National Guard
The Iowa National Guard consists of the:*Iowa Army National Guard and the*Iowa Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History*...
. Original construction of the post began in 1907, to provide a place for the National Guard units to train. In 1917, the installation was handed over to national authorities and greatly expanded to become a regional training center for forces to participate in the First World War. Upon the end of the war, the post was downsized and turned back over to state authorities. Similarly, with the outbreak of Second World War, Camp Dodge was again handed over to the federal government; however, this time the post was only used as an induction center for new service members. Camp Dodge has served as a Guard and Reserve installation since the close of WWII.
The name Camp Dodge comes from Brigadier General Grenville M. Dodge, who organized Iowa's first National Guard unit in 1856. Although not a native-born Iowan, he became a well known figure and resided within the state for most of his adult life. He is considered a War hero for his service and also served a term as a U.S. Congressman representing the state.
Along with the numerous National Guard units located at Camp Dodge, the post is also home to the National Maintenance Training Center, Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa's emergency operations center, and the State Police academy.