Military & Veterans
Last updated: 2026-05-28
The Treasure Valley has a deep, layered military presence. On the active-duty side, Mountain Home Air Force Base sits about 50 miles southeast of Boise in Elmore County, home to the 366th Fighter Wing flying F-15Es. In Boise itself, Gowen Field shares the south side of the Boise Airport with the Air National Guard's 124th Fighter Wing (A-10C Thunderbolts) and the Idaho Army National Guard, including the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team — one of the largest armored units in the Guard. The Idaho National Guard Joint Force Headquarters is also at Gowen.
Veterans health care in the Valley is anchored by the Boise VA Medical Center off Fort Street, with community-based outpatient clinics in Caldwell and Mountain Home. The Idaho State Veterans Home — Boise and the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery sit on the same campus on Federal Way. Benefits assistance is available through the Idaho Division of Veterans Services, with offices in Boise and Pocatello, and through accredited Veteran Service Officers at the VFW and American Legion posts that are active in nearly every town in the Valley.
For prospective service members, the Boise Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) handles enlistment processing for all services, and recruiting offices for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and National Guard are spread across the metro. The links below cover bases and units, VA and state benefits, posts and family support, and recruitment.
What you'll find on this page
- Mountain Home AFB and the 366th Fighter Wing.
- Gowen Field — 124th Fighter Wing, 116th Cavalry Brigade, Idaho National Guard HQ.
- Boise VA Medical Center plus Caldwell and Mountain Home CBOCs.
- Idaho State Veterans Home and Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
- Idaho Division of Veterans Services and accredited VSOs at VFW and American Legion posts.
- MEPS Boise and service recruiting offices.
- Veterans Crisis Line and other support resources.
VA Health Care
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential 24/7 crisis support for veterans, service members, and their families — dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online.
Boise VA Medical Center
VA hospital at 500 W. Fort Street in Boise serving roughly 42,000 Idaho and eastern Oregon veterans — primary care, specialty care, mental health, surgery, and 24/7 emergency care.
VA Caldwell CBOC
Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Caldwell — primary care, mental health, and select specialty services for Canyon County veterans without the drive to Boise.
VA Mountain Home CBOC
Mountain Home Community-Based Outpatient Clinic serving Elmore County veterans and Mountain Home AFB-area families.
Boise Vet Center
Free, confidential counseling for combat veterans and their families — readjustment, PTSD, military sexual trauma, and grief counseling.
VA.gov — Main
Department of Veterans Affairs national portal — apply for benefits, check claim status, refill prescriptions, and manage your VA.gov account.
Benefits & Claims
Boise VA Regional Benefit Office
VA Benefits office at 444 W. Fort St. handling disability compensation, education (GI Bill), pensions, home loans, and survivor benefits.
Idaho Veterans Benefits & Services
Comprehensive guide to state and federal benefits for Idaho veterans, dependents, and survivors — claims, healthcare, education, and burial.
Idaho Veterans Advocacy & Claims Help
Free accredited claims assistance for Idaho veterans pursuing VA benefits — service-connected disability, pension, appeals, and dependent claims.
Idaho Veterans Services
Idaho Division of Veterans Services
State agency advocating for Idaho veterans — benefits help, state-run veterans homes, state veterans cemeteries, and accredited claim assistance.
Idaho State Veterans Home — Boise
State-run skilled nursing facility for Idaho veterans in Boise (plus sister facilities in Lewiston, Pocatello, and Post Falls) — long-term medical and supportive care.
Idaho State Veterans Cemetery — Boise
76.5-acre dignified burial ground at 10110 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd. set against the Boise Foothills — interment for Idaho veterans and eligible family members.
Bases & Guard
Mountain Home Air Force Base
Home of the 366th Fighter Wing flying the F-15E Strike Eagle — base news, public affairs, gate information, and visitor passes for the Elmore County installation.
Gowen Field — 124th Fighter Wing
Idaho Air National Guard's A-10 Thunderbolt II 'Warthog' wing at Gowen Field in Boise — home since 1946, with about 1,200 Airmen.
Idaho Air National Guard
Information on joining the Idaho Air National Guard — career fields, benefits, and the part-time service path.
Veteran Service Organizations
Find a VFW Post
Search for any Veterans of Foreign Wars post by zip code — Treasure Valley posts include Post 63 (Boise), 142 (Boise Basin), 3465 (Nampa), 3886 (Caldwell), 4000 (Meridian), 5423 (Mt. Home AFB), and 7019 (Kuna).
Capitol City VFW Post 63 — Boise
Boise's VFW Post 63 at 8931 Ardene St. — meetings second Monday of each month at 7pm, plus community events and member services.
VFW Department of Idaho
State-level VFW organization — directory of all Idaho posts, state programs, scholarships, and legislative advocacy.
Idaho American Legion
Statewide American Legion organization — directory of Idaho posts, Boys/Girls State, scholarships, veteran service officers, and youth programs.
American Legion Post 113 — Treasure Valley
Active Treasure Valley American Legion post with directory of Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Caldwell-area Legion posts.
American Legion Post 18 — Nampa
Nampa's American Legion post — meetings, member services, and community events for Canyon County veterans.
Recruiting & MEPS
Boise Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Boise MEPS — where recruits from across the region complete medical, aptitude, and enlistment processing before shipping to basic training.
U.S. Army Recruiting
Find a U.S. Army recruiter near you — Treasure Valley stations include Boise (8263 W. Franklin Rd) and Meridian.
U.S. Air Force Recruiting
Locate an Air Force or Air National Guard recruiter — a combined Air Force/ANG recruiting office is open in Meridian.
U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting
Talk to a Marine Corps recruiter — Boise-area station serves the Treasure Valley.
U.S. Navy Recruiting
Find a Navy recruiter — Boise office serves active-duty and Naval Reserve enlistment for the Treasure Valley.
U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting
Locate a Coast Guard recruiter — Boise office at 6907 W. Overland Rd. serves Idaho applicants.