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Naval Support Activity Bethesda

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Joe Wallace

Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Home of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is the cornerstone of medicine for the military, an essential training facility for the Department of Defense and Public Health Service.

Located between Bethesda, Maryland, and Washington D.C., the site serves as a hub for quintessential military activity in the oldest established naval region in the U.S. Service members in the community live in Montgomery County, with a population of over one million, branching out to Bethesda, with a population of almost 70,000.

Its proximity to the Capitol brings special missions and elite training, as well as top-tier staff and visitors to the area. Find need-to-know info for Naval Support Activity Bethesda, including contacts, units, schools, housing, transportation, child care, and colleges.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda History

This facility used to be two; the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center were merged in 2005, after Congress ordered a restructuring. The two facilities were close together, therefore it was more efficient to share resources, facilities, and skill sets of staff and save money at the same time. The Command was Navy-led, utilizing management to seamlessly transition to the newly organized Home of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The site completed its transition on August 27, 2011. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center had fulfilled 100 years of service before its closing, and now brings this expertise and experience to the new facility.

Naval Support Activity Bethesda Surrounding Area

If you are stationed at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, you will be rich in recreational options. Nearby the capital, Washington D.C., the list of possibilities for exploration is long.

From touring the Capitol itself to visiting the Washington Monument, The National Mall, The Lincoln Memorial, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Gallery of Art, the capital city has endless parks and museums, many of which are free to visit. Museums in the area include but are not limited to:

  • Smithsonian National Museum
  • International Spy Museum
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • Hirshhorn Museum
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • National Building Museum
  • Postal Museum

Options to browse the plethora of sites include trolley tours, bus tours, walking tours and guided tours. Foods, culture and history from all over the world has a place in Washington D.C.

Mission and Units

Naval Support Activity Bethesda is a premier military facility for health, research and education to build teams to support and develop future professionals and enhance warfighter readiness. Major units working at the facility include:

  • Army Troop Command
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Naval Criminal Investigation Services (NCIS)
  • Naval Dosimetry Center (NDC)
  • Navy Bloodborne Infection Management Center (NBIMC)
  • Navy Medical Leader & Professional Development Command (NML&PDC)
  • Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMR&TC), Bethesda
  • Soldier Recovery Brigade – National Capital Region
  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
  • Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)

In-Processing and Check-In

All incoming service members should report to the Military Personnel Detachment in Tranquility Hall with stamped orders, service records, travel receipts, endorsements, and identification in hand. You will not be eligible for compensation for up to 10 days without travel receipts.

New arrivals will need to meet with their sponsors, who will address the specific needs of incoming service members. Make sure to contact your sponsor before arrival to make the necessary arrangements.

Navy service members should report to the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command in Bethesda at the Quarterdeck according to assigned check-in time. For questions, contact the Command Duty Officer at (301) 547-1161.  The Quarterdeck can be reached at (301) 400-2859.

Soldier Recovery Unit Cadre and employees should get directions from the Staff Duty Desk in Building 62 or call ahead at (301) 400-1096.

Child Care at Naval Support Activity Bethesda

Full and part-time childcare options are offered through Naval Support Activity Bethesda’s Child Development Centers. Child care is available for children from six weeks old to five years old. Costs are based on family income, not including a non-refundable registration fee (the amount will be applied to the first payment for care.)

Parents must provide proof of children’s immunizations. The Child Development Center can be reached at (301) 295-0014. Care is available at NSAB Austin’s Playroom on Constitution Drive on weekdays during regular business hours. NSAB Austin’s Playroom can be reached at (301) 400-0118.

Childtime of Bethesda

4550 Montgomery Ave. #250N Bethesda, MD 20814
(877) 220-0584

Bilingual Tots Daycare Bethesda

5200 Camberley Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814
(240) 467-8381

Housing

Service members have many choices for areas to live in, including Bethesda, Maryland; the Washington D.C. area; and Alexandria, Virginia. On-base residential communities are in the Naval District Washington area.

Rural home seekers can find many floorplan options, from studio apartments to single-family homes to rent, furnished or unfurnished, closer to Washington, D.C. For those who prefer a more rural setting, Maryland has more options.

For listings, help with applications, and community information, contact the Housing Referral Office at (301) 295-6564. The Housing Office is in Building 17B, Suite D on site.

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

Commissary

Quick Mart
8710 Gunnel Rd, Bldg 31
Bethesda, MD 20889
(240) 858-6192

The Commissary for Naval Support Activity Bethesda stocks standard supplies for service members and their families to facilitate base life. Special request orders can be placed in advance for platters, deli, and bakery orders by contacting the commissary directly.

PCS and TDY Lodging

For those in need of temporary lodging, most will find a place at Navy Lodge Bethesda. Service members of all branches and civilians can stay at this location, which has ample rooms and standard amenities. Navy Lodge Bethesda is located at 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Building 52 in Bethesda. To make reservations or inquire about vacancies and pricing, call (301) 654-1795.

Transportation

Due to the location of the base, there are several options for arrival. The nearest airports are Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington Airport and Reagan National Airport. Dulles International Airport is the nearest to the base.

If driving in from Dulles, take I-495 north to Maryland, toward Bethesda. Use exit 34, Route 355 South, and follow signs to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

From Reagan National Airport, take George Washington Parkway to I-495, Capital Beltway going north toward Maryland. Use exit 34, Route 355 South, following signs to the gate to the base. You can also use the metro/subway directly from the airport to the Medical Center Metro Station. On the metro, use the yellow line toward Mt. Vernon Square exiting Gallery Place. Use the red line to Grosvenor and exit Medical Center Metro.

From the Baltimore-Washington Airport, go south to I-495, toward the beltway, and use exit 34, Route 355 South, following signs to the base.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

Vehicle registration requirements will depend on where the service member chooses to live, due to the location of the base. Some service members will choose to live in Maryland, others in Virginia and others in the Washington D.C. area.

For those living in the Washington D.C. area, a DC driver’s license and registration will be required after residing in the area for 60 days. Maryland drivers will have a 30-day window in which to update their license and registration.

On base, all vehicles are subject to search and will require drivers to present identification. Updated insurance, driver’s license, and vehicle registration will be needed with proof when requested.

Traffic laws must be respected on base, including wearing a seatbelt when vehicles are in motion, with small children in safety seats in the back. Hands-free devices are recommended when driving. Motorcycle drivers are required to use protective gear, including helmets.

Schools

Bethesda, Maryland has a plethora of public school options for young learners of military service members. Schools in the area include but are not limited to:

Colleges and Universities

The Installation Education Center offers service members the opportunity to continue their education at all levels, from completing high school and GED classes to college prep courses.

The Installation Education Center is open at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. The center closes at 5 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday and at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. On Friday, the center closes at 1:30 p.m. It is located in Building 17A, Suite 1022, and can be reached by phone at (301) 654-7755.

College-level courses are offered here through the University of Maryland Global Campus. Other online options may apply. For other options on career development, reach out to the Installation Education Center.

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

Contacts

Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Home of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
102 Wood Rd
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 295-4607

  • Barracks/Single Service Member Housing (301) 295-5855
  • Child Development Center (301) 295-0014
  • Commissary (240) 858-6192
  • Housing Office/Government Housing (301) 295-6564
  • ID/CAC New Card Processing (301) 295-0103
  • School Liaison Program (301) 319-4087
  • Temporary Lodging/Billeting (301) 654-1795

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide

Military Bases and VA and Veteran Facilities in Maryland

Find a listing of military bases, VA resources and veteran facilities in the state of Maryland.  Maryland has more than 100,000 active duty service members, Reservists, National Guard, and dependents.

According to the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 360,000 veterans here, with over 7% of all Maryland adults claiming veteran status. The military community here contributes greatly to the economy; Maryland was once listed as the 4th largest state for defense spending.

If you are traveling to Maryland on PCS orders, look up the BAH in your new duty location using our BAH Calculator. You can also look up veteran benefits in Maryland.

Joint Bases in Maryland

  • Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington

Army Bases in Maryland

Did you know? The State of Maryland assists veterans in understanding or claiming veteran disability benefits, and offers related veteran service office-type help. The Maryland Service and Benefits Program offers “representation for veterans and dependents seeking USDVA benefits.” Call 800-446-4926, ext 645 for more information or to get started.

Navy Bases in Maryland

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities in Maryland

Loch Raven VA Medical Center

3901 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218-2100
410-605-7650
Mental health: 410-605-7000 x5397

Baltimore VA Medical Center

10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-1524
410-605-7000
Mental health: 410-605-7000 x57360

Baltimore VA Clinic

209 West Fayette Street
Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC)
Baltimore, MD 21201-3403
410-605-7000

Eastern Baltimore County VA Clinic

5235 King Avenue
Franklin Square Professional Center
Suite 200
Rosedale, MD 21237-4068
443-730-2020
Mental health: 443-690-6939

Glen Burnie VA Clinic

808 Landmark Drive
Suite 128
Glen Burnie, MD 21061-4983
410-590-4140
Mental health: 410-590-4140 x64248

Fort Meade VA Clinic

2479 5th Street
Suite 5138
Fort Meade, MD 20755
410-305-5300
Mental health: 410-305-5300 x5323

Fort Detrick VA Clinic

1433 Porter Street
Building 1433
Frederick, MD 21702-9211
800-817-3807
Mental health: 800-817-3807

Montgomery County VA Clinic

15810 Gaither Drive
Shady Grove Development Park
Suite 130
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-1429
301-591-5858
Mental health: 301-591-5858

Baltimore VA Regional Benefit Office

31 Hopkins Plaza
Floors G, 1, 2, 3, and 12
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

8901 Wisconsin Ave
Bldg 11, Room 226
Bethesda, MD 20889
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site at Andrews Air Force Base

Airman & Family Readiness Center, 316 MSS/DPF
Andrews Air Force, MD 20762
800-827-1131

Baltimore VA Regional Benefit Office

31 Hopkins Plaza
Floors G, 1, 2, 3, and 12
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

8901 Wisconsin Ave
Bldg 11, Room 226
Bethesda, MD 20889
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site at Andrews Air Force Base

Airman & Family Readiness Center, 316 MSS/DPF
Andrews Air Force, MD 20762
800-827-1131

Vet Centers in Maryland

Baltimore Vet Center

1777 Reisterstown Road
Suite 199
Baltimore, MD 21208
410-764-9400
B23.5 miles

Dundalk Vet Center

1553 Merritt Boulevard
Dundalk, MD 21222
410-282-6144

Silver Spring Vet Center

2900 Linden Lane
Suite 100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-589-1073

Aberdeen Vet Center Outstation

223 West Bel Air Ave on Law Street
Aberdeen, MD 21001
410-272-6771

Annapolis Vet Center

100 Annapolis Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-605-7826

Prince George’s County Vet Center

7905 Malcolm Road
Suite 101
Clinton, MD 20735-1734
301-856-7173

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States:

Please review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

About the author

Joe Wallace

Editor-in-Chief | + posts

Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.

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