The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood (former Chief of Staff) in January 1941.

In 1984, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process, most of the U.S. Army Engineer School's operations were consolidated at Fort Leonard Wood.

[1] In 1999, again as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process, Fort McClellan, Alabama, was closed, and the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and Military Police Corps schools were transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, which was concurrently redesignated the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center.

In 1939, Congress approved the purchase of a 40,000-acre tract of land near Leon, Iowa, for use as a military reservation, but did not authorize any funds to do so.

U.S. Army officials went to investigate the site and found that, despite reports to the contrary after World War I, there was a critical shortage of groundwater into which wells could be sunk to produce drinking water.

The corps area commander suggested an alternate site immediately adjacent to St. Robert, Missouri.

[clarification needed] During the Gulf War, the 5th Engineer Battalion from the fort saw action in the Middle East.

The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence offers Basic Combat Training (BCT) for most non-combat arms soldiers, and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) 88M (motor transport operator) and MOS 74D (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear specialists).

[9] Newly commissioned second lieutenants in the CBRN, Engineer, and Military Police branches attend the Basic Officer Leader Course Phase B at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence.

[13] Initial Training for commissioned officers (BOLC) entering the Chemical, Engineer, and Military Police branches are all conducted at Fort Leonard Wood.

Although it is on Fort Leonard Wood, the airport is jointly run by the cities of Waynesville and St. Robert, and is available for civilian use by private pilots and scheduled commercial passenger service.

The rail system is operated by a contractor, Base Services, Inc., primarily carrying heavy equipment in support of the training center.

Consisting of 27 miles of track, 18 of which connect the post with BNSF Railway at Bundy Junction, its operations are conducted from Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1600.

[citation needed] At one time, Fort Leonard Wood featured a busy rail operation.

[citation needed] Today all that remains are half a dozen tracks with loading ramps on the ends, located in a warehouse area.

[citation needed] Fort Leonard Wood is in Pulaski County and a high percentage of military personnel live off post in surrounding communities, especially St. Robert and Waynesville but also the farther-out cities of Richland, Crocker, and Dixon, and the unincorporated communities of Laquey, Swedeborg and Devil's Elbow, all of which have a lower housing cost than nearer housing in St. Robert and Waynesville.

KFBD-FM and its AM sister station, KJPW, are among the news providers in the Pulaski County area, which includes Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, and St. Robert.

[27] The Pulaski County Breaking News[28] internet newspaper is privately owned by a Former Devils Elbow resident.

The Pulaski County Daily News[29] internet newspaper is privately owned by a St. Robert resident.