Marine Corps Base Barstow
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow is situated between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It’s a facility subdivided into three sites and covers 6 thousand acres. The base is one of a small handful of Marine Corps logistics bases.
Learn more about Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, including base history, local services such as childcare and housing, plus important contact numbers for the base below.
Marine Corps Base Barstow History
The area we know today as MCB Barstow had humble beginnings in the 1940s; it was known then as Marine Corps Depot of Supplies when it opened in 1942. The United States Navy operated it then, but the site was turned over to the United States Marine Corps to be used as a storage operation during World War Two.
During the war, MCB Barstow grew so fast that thousands more acres were needed, and by 1946, the base was expanded by 2,000 more acres.
Long after the war in the early 1960s, MCB Barstow gained a new mission, the Depot Maintenance Activity, and by the 1970s, plans were made to redesignate the facility as a Marine Corps Logistics Base.
In the 21st century, MCB Barstow is part of a three-base operation that includes MCLB Albany, Georgia; MCLB Barstow, California; and Blount Island Command, Jacksonville, Florida.
MCB Barstow Surrounding Area
MCB Barstow is in San Bernardino County, California, known for its part along historic Route 66, ghost towns, and as a major transportation hub in the area.
If you are new to the area and are looking for local color, the Western America Railroad Museum and the Mojave River Museum are just two options to consider. MCB Barstow is part of the high desert, and drives to the nearest major cities are long: 120 miles to Los Angeles and 150 miles to Las Vegas.
Ask your sponsor about cost of living issues in this area as California assignments are more costly overall due to higher rents, more expensive real estate, and other issues.
Marine Corps Base Barstow Mission and Units
The mission of Marine Corps Base Barstow is to “enable operational readiness through infrastructure, logistics, and services” to support global readiness. This Logistics base is, among other missions, responsible for supplying ground combat gear in support of West Coast military installations.
This base doesn’t have a large contingent of tenant units like some operations. The major players at MCB Barstown include the Fleet Support Division, Maintenance Center Barstow, S-6 Communications, and 1st Force Storage Battalion.
In-Processing and Check-In
All personnel coming to MCB Barstow on Permanent Change of Station orders should coordinate arrival and check-in with their sponsor.
You will inprocess with the Military Personnel Division at MCLB Barstow. Check-in procedures start with a visit to the Administrative Division in Building 15, your sponsor or command support staff can provide further details on the remainder of the check-in requirements for MCB Barstow.
If you arrive on a weekend, holiday, or after duty hours, call (760) 577-6961 for further assistance.
MCB Barstow Child Care
MCB Barstow is served by the Child Development Center (CDC), which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The facility serves dependent children of active duty, reserve (while on active duty), DoD civilian employees, and DoD contractors.
Childcare services include full-day, part-day and hourly care for children ages six weeks to five years. Call Childcare Resource & Referral at 760-577-6420 or DSN 312-282-6420 to learn about waiting lists and other requirements.
MCB Barstow has offered School-Age Care (SAC) programs for before and after-school care and hourly needs for children aged 5 (Kindergarten) to 12 years. Demand and availability of SAC providers may affect the availability of services like these; be sure to ask your sponsor about which services may be currently available.
Marine Corps Base Barstow Housing
This base features limited on-base housing options. There are below 100 government housing options on base for military families in two main areas.
According to the official site, “All qualifying personnel arriving at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow for permanent duty should report to the family housing office in the community center, Building 363.” Contact the housing office at 760-577-6872 or DSN at 312-577-6872.
The MCLB Barstow Housing Office also helps new arrivals with off-base housing referrals. The DoD also advises, “Home.mil is an online resource for vetted off-base housing options.”
Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator
Commissary
The MCB Barstow Commissary is located at:
Box 110196 BLD 364
Barstow, CA 92311-5002
760-256-6760 Ext 3425.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Due to the size of the base and demand, temporary lodging at MCB Barstow requires early booking. The Oasis Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) offers 24/7 reservations for official travel, Space-A travelers can book a month in advance. Be advised that this facility has a no pets policy.
For reservations or more information, call (760) 577-6418.
Transportation
MCB Barstow is well over 100 miles from LA and Las Vegas; local driving issues can seriously complicate your commute from a local or international airport to the base.
New arrivals are directed to make arrangements with their sponsor to coordinate travel to the base. Call 800-843-8762 for more information. There is no on-base transportation offered at the time of this writing.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
State of California laws include strict regulation of vehicles, their emissions, and insurance. New arrivals must register vehicles on base and obtain a base decal within 30 days of reporting for duty.
To legally operate a vehicle on or off post, you must carry valid state registration, a current driver’s license, and proof of liability insurance.
Base regulations require all drivers under 26 to take a base Driver Improvement Course. Motorcycle operators will need a safety course on base before they can be issued a base decal for a two-wheeled vehicle.
Schools
There are no DoD schools on board MCB Barstow; parents will send school-age children to schools in a local school district.
California state law typically requires school-age children to attend “in the district in which the parent or legal guardian resides, unless otherwise exempted,” according to the MCLB Barstow school liaison official site.
Exceptions to this policy are handled on a case-by-case basis and if you are denied a request but wish to appeal, you must direct that appeal to the San Bernardino County Board of Education.
The local area school district is Barstow Unified School District, which includes 13 elementary schools. Other districts in the area include but are not limited to:
- Apple Valley School District
- Helendale School District
- Silver Valley Unified School District
- Hesperia Unified School District
Contact the MCB Barstow School Liaison Office to learn current transfer requirements, new student registration, and immunization requirements. Call them at 760-577-5854.
Colleges and Universities
MCB Barstow features the Lifelong Learning Education Center and Library/Research Center, co-located at McTureous Hall in Building 218.
The facility offers free educational services to active duty military, retired military, reservists, their family members, DoD and Marine Corps Community Service employees.
Call 760-577-6118/6018 to learn about on-base education options or to ask about any of the following area colleges:
- California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB)
- Azusa Pacific University High Desert
- Barstow Community College
- Victor Valley College
- Brandman University
- Park University at Barstow Community College
- Park University at Victor Valley College
- University of La Verne at Victorville
Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide
MCB Barstow Contacts
MCLB Barstow
7th Street & Wake Avenue
Building 15 (Base Headquarters)
Barstow, CA 92311
- 760-577-6494
- (DSN) 312-282-6494
Important MCLB Barstow Contact Numbers
- Barracks/Single Service Member Housing – 760-577-6494
- Child Development Centers – 760-577-6049/6059 / (DSN) 312-282-6049/6059
- Child and Youth Registration and Referral – 760-577-6059 / (DSN) 312-282-6287
- Deployment/Mobilization – 760-577-6727
- Family Advocacy Program – 760-577-6533
- Family Child Care/Child Development Homes – 760-577-6049/6059
- Finance Office – 760-577-6727
- Weed Army Hospital Emergency Room – 760-380-3114
- Household Goods/Transportation Office – 760-380-5331/7213
- Family Housing Office – 760-577-6872 / (DSN) 312-577-6872/6707/5810
- Housing Referral Office – 760-380-3576 (DSN) 312-470-3576
- ID/CAC Card Processing – 760-577-6371 / 760-577-6969
- Legal Services/JAG – 760-577-6748 / (DSN) 312-282-6748
- Loan Locker – Relocation Assistance Program – 760-577-6582
- New Parent Support Program -760-577-6533
- School Age Care – 760-577-6617 / (DSN) 312-282-6617
- School Liaison Officer – 760-577-5854 / (DSN) 312-282-5854
- Spouse Education, Training and Careers – 760-577-6265 / (DSN) 312-282-6265
- Oasis Temporary Lodging Facility – 760-577-6418 / (DSN) 312-282-6418
- FAP Victim Advocate- 24/7 – 760-577-6484
- SAPR Victim Advocate- 24/7 – 760-577-6036
- Welcome / Visitors Center – 760-577-6582
Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide
About the author
Kena Sosa is an award-winning author, filmmaker and percussionist. She
earned her BA from OLLU and her MBEGT from SMU. She published two
award-winning children’s books. Kena has written for CBS/DFW Local and
Multicultural Review Magazine. She was the Guest Editor for the Fall/Winter
2023 ChildArt Magazine issue. Kena has written for Recon Media since 2023.
