Rock Island Arsenal is located on an island that is between the two cities of Rock Island in Illinois and Davenport in Iowa. The island was formerly known as Rock Island, but since that name was given to the city adjacent to the island on the Illinois side, the island’s name was changed to Arsenal Island. Today, Rock Island Arsenal is the largest government-owned and operated arsenal in the US. The major units on the installation include Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center; Army Sustainment Command; Edgewood Chemical Biological Center; First Army; Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center; and Joint Munitions Command.

There is on-base government housing on Rock Island, however, it is limited to only 80 units at the current time. Because of this limitation, most military families choose to live off-base. Because of its location, just in the middle of state lines, families can choose to live in either Davenport, Iowa; or Rock Island, Illinois. The base is 2 miles away from both downtown Davenport and downtown Rock Island. Both Rock Island and Davenport have lower costs of living than the US national average, especially when it comes to very advantageous housing.

There are no DoD schools, nor there are any public schools on the base. Children living on base can go to school in either Moline or Rock Island, Davenport, Bettendorf, or Pleasant Valley School Districts.

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