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Aberdeen Proving Ground Base Guide

Kena Sosa

Aberdeen Proving Ground is located in Aberdeen, Maryland, sharing the community with over 250,000 residents. Aberdeen Proving Ground’s mission is to develop and test new intelligence technologies and weapons serving domestic and international missions. APG employs over 1,000 service members, bringing families into a strong local economy and a safe community.

Many retired military veterans stay in the area and continue to support the community and current service members.

Aberdeen Proving Ground also provides job opportunities to almost 20,000 civilians, creating opportunities for contractors and private businesses. The area has many modern amenities close to New York City and Washington D.C. Metro, yet holds on to small town friendliness.

Find need-to-know info for Aberdeen Proving Ground, including contacts, units, schools, housing, transportation, child care, and colleges.

Aberdeen Proving Ground Address and Zip Code

Main base:

6836 Civil Rd
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
(410) 278-1147

Aberdeen Proving Ground Phone Directory

• Adult Education Center (410) 306-2042
• Barracks/Single Service Member Housing (410) 306-2012
• Child Development Center (410) 278-5748
• Commissary (410) 278-3101
• Family Child Care (410) 278-8720
• Housing Office/Government Housing (410) 306-2002
• Housing Office/Privatization (410) 306-2007
• ID/CAC Card Processing (410) 306-2353
• School Age Care (410) 278-7571
• School Liaison Office (410) 278-2857
• Temporary Lodging/Billeting (410) 278-5148
• Welcome Center (410) 278-2330
• Youth Programs/Centers (410) 278-9059

Surrounding Area for Aberdeen Proving Ground

Southern Harford County is home to Aberdeen and its residents. Supporting a diverse community, Aberdeen has a growing technology sector and is expanding fast due to its convenient location between New York and Washington D.C. by Highway 40 and I-95.

With a strong economy, ample schools and miles of shoreline and state parks, Aberdeen is an ideal place to raise a family or just to visit for fun. Closest to Baltimore, the area has literary and cultural sites for those who enjoy art and literature, like the sights that inspired Edgar Allen Poe.

Aberdeen itself is stacked with historical sites and activities like the Aberdeen Room Archives and Museum and the Aberdeen Heritage Village. Other nearby attractions include but are not limited to: Ripken Stadium, Deer Meadow Farm, walking tours of Baltimore, and food and historical tours of Baltimore.

Mission of Aberdeen Proving Ground

Supporting over 20,000 employees, Aberdeen Proving Ground service members pull together to support technology, intelligence and communication. Their main efforts are utilized for testing, manufacturing, developing new weapons technologies and missions consulting.

Major Units include:

•  20th CBRNE Command
• Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground
• Army Evaluation Center (AEC)
• Army Research Laboratory ARL
• Civilian Human Resource Agency CHRA
• Communications Electronics Research Development and Engineering Center
• Communications and Electronics Command CECOM
• Edgewood Chemical Biological Center ECBC-DEVCOM
• Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense
• Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic (KUSAHC)
• Mid-Atlantic Region Network Enterprise Center
• PEO Command Control and Communications Tactical
• Program Executive Office Intelligence Electronic Warfare and Sensors
• U.S. Army Material Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA)
• U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (MRICD)
• U.S. Army Public Health Center
• U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command
• U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command (ATEC)

In-Processing and Check-In for Aberdeen Proving Ground

Upon arrival, service members should attend in-processing at the Military Personnel Office first thing in the morning at Building 4305, the Janet M. Barr Soldier Support Center. It is open regular business hours Monday through Friday.

There, during in-processing, personnel will check enlisted records, readiness, medical records and assist with information about housing, transportation and finances.

When arriving, make sure to bring multiple copies of orders, DA Form 31 (original), medical and dental records, financial receipts, 201 File, documents related to any birth, marriage or divorce while en route, and attend in appropriate military uniform for the day.

In addition, bring any relocation-related receipts. If you shipped a vehicle to APG, bring Form 788 as part of relocation expenses. Providing all the documents above will allow for a smooth and successful check-in.

Child Care

Aberdeen Proving Ground service members can take advantage of child care at three local Child Care Centers for children ages 6 weeks to five years. Programs vary between full-time care to part-time or hourly programs for early school aged children.

Seek childcare options in advance as sometimes availability is lean; you may need to be placed on a waiting list. To register, provide the child’s birth certificate and medical records as well as parent identification, proof of address, and family income so that fees can be determined. Fees are based on income. For school-aged children, bring school and relevant immunization records.

• Aberdeen Area CDC – Carbine Road, Aberdeen, MD., Phone: (410) 278-5748
• Bayside CDC – Bayside Drive, Aberdeen MD., Phone: (410) 278-4683
• Edgewood Area CDC – Scully Road, Edgewood, MD., Phone: (410) 463-2692

Aberdeen Proving Ground Housing

For those seeking housing off base, the best option is to contact the Housing Services Office. The Housing Services Office will have access to rental options and communities with maps in Harford County, as well as listings of homes for sale in the area.  Service members who are single or arrive with their families will be directed as to how to apply for housing at this location.  The Housing Services Office can be contacted at (410) 306-2002.

For those who wish to live on base, reach out to Covias Military Living during regular business hours at (410) 305-1076.

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

PCS and TDY Lodging for Aberdeen Proving Ground

According to Army IHG, Temporary Lodging will most likely be at the Candlewood Suites building 2250. Located at 6585 Lodging Lane on Aberdeen Proving Ground facilities, the hotel can be reached for availability by phone at (667) 392-2020.

It is only a mile and a half from APG and has all the standard amenities including free parking, free breakfast, a fitness center and business center, and room kitchenettes.

As destined temporary lodging facilities may change, previous sites may no longer be available. New arrivals should contact their sponsor for help with temporary lodging or visit https://www.housing.army.mil/ and click Army IHG Hotels for more information.

Transportation

The nearest airport to APG is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Other options include Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

If you are heading north from the airport, take Route 22 East and follow signs to Aberdeen Proving Ground to check in at the police gate. If arriving after 8 p.m. to find the gate closed, use Route 40 West to get to the gate for check-in.

Rail Services can be accessed with Amrak, MARC Train, and Southeastern Pennsylvania Authority, the latter two being commuter rail systems.

Entry into Aberdeen Proving Ground is highly monitored. All vehicles entering will be checked, and all those entering will be required to present their military ID and vehicle documents for drivers, including insurance, registration, and a valid driver’s license.

If reporting for the first time at APG, after entering, go directly to the Visitor Control Center at the Route 40 entrance.

Regarding their post, service members should bring several copies of their orders, medical and dental records, finance receipts, and DA Form 31 and be dressed in appropriate military uniform to obtain entry.

There is no public on-base transportation. However, the following taxi companies can be utilized: Victory Cab, ABC Taxi, and Yellow Cab.

Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License

In Maryland, the law requires all drivers to have a valid driver’s license and liability insurance and for the vehicle to be registered with the state. If relocating from another state, getting a Maryland state driver’s license within 30 days of relocation will be necessary.

All riders and drivers must use seat belts, while children under six years old must also be in a proper safety seat. They should never be left alone in a vehicle. It is safest to use a “hands-free” device when driving. All accidents must be reported to the police post at Aberdeen Proving Ground as soon as possible at (410) 306-0564.

Schools

Young learners at Aberdeen Proving Ground and surrounding areas will attend Harford County Public Schools. The district serves over 40,000 students at over 30 elementary campuses, with 8 middle and 8 high schools through graduation.

Service member children usually attend Roye-Williams Elementary, leading into Aberdeen Middle School, and then graduate from Aberdeen High School. To register a child for school, prepare to present the birth certificate and immunization record, proof of address, and parent identification.

Students who live more than a mile from their public school in Harford County should qualify for bus transportation. Enquire with the School Liaison Office at Aberdeen Proving Ground for specific questions at (410) 278-2857.

Colleges and Universities Near Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground provides information and guidance for those interested in furthering their education and has partnerships with the following higher institutions:

• Harford Community College
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Central Michigan University
• The University of Maryland University College

The GI Bill may apply to help finance degrees from these schools. The Education Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground offers GED prep courses, and resources for entrance and credit exams such as CLEP, SAT, GRE and ACT. The center also has computer labs and offers help with development skills for those needing ESL, English as a Second Language, and Citizenship classes. Reach out to the Education Center at (410) 306-2042.

Aberdeen Proving Ground Commissary

6836 Civil Rd.
Building 2514
Aberdeen, MD
(410) 278-2857

Aberdeen Commissary is now open seven days a week to serve the needs of the local military community. Customers may find household staple items and make special orders for their family events from the Bakery, Meat, Produce, and Deli departments with advance notice by calling the following numbers:

Bakery/Deli (410) 306-3719
Meat (410) 306-3720
Produce (410) 306-3721

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

Aberdeen Proving Ground History

During World War I, the United States Army realized the urgent need for an increased national defense. In 1917, a suitable testing ground was located near New York and its harbor.

However, the site was that of a farming community on the Chesapeake Bay. The farmers had no intention of letting it go, so Congress and the president intervened and offered the farmers $200 per acre of land and help with relocation for 3,000 people and their livestock. In all, the government bought 35,000 acres of upland and 34,000 of tidal land under President Wilson.

In October 1917, Aberdeen Proving Ground was founded on-site to test weapons, artillery, and ammunition.

With the beginning of World War II on the horizon, the site became more essential in order to increase testing for new weaponry. Therefore, the site expanded in size as well. At Aberdeen Proving Ground, many new technologies were developed, including the bazooka in 1918 and what is said to be the first digital computer in 1945, amongst others. These efforts at APG also lasted through the needs of the Korean War.

Testing continued to be the focus of APG in the decades to come, solidifying its purpose through conflicts into the 1990s, after the end of the Cold War and into the efforts of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and other efforts in the Persian Gulf, well into the war on terrorism.

Today, Aberdeen Proving Ground supports research, testing, and evaluation to keep the United States secure.

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide