Naval Support Activity Bethesda

Moving to Naval Support Activity Bethesda

NSA Bethesda supports more than 40 tenant organizations, most notably Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the Uniformed Services University. Most assigned personnel are medical staff, students and patients, and families generally live off the installation in Montgomery County or in privatized housing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

Official installation website

Where families live

Schools

Most families live in Montgomery County and use its public school system, with a number of nearby DC-area districts for those who live in Virginia or the District. Contact the NMRTC Bethesda School Liaison Officer before enrolling children or arranging childcare.

• Montgomery County Public Schools — Main district for Bethesda, Rockville and Silver Spring.

NMRTC Bethesda School Liaison Officer, listed in the command's Welcome Aboard information

Things to do near Naval Support Activity Bethesda

• National Mall and Smithsonian museumsmuseum
  Free museums and monuments in Washington, D.C. are reachable by Metro from Bethesda.
• Great Falls Parkoutdoors
  Dramatic waterfalls and trails on the Potomac River.
• Georgetown Waterfront and C&O Canal towpathoutdoors
  Walk or bike the old canal path from Georgetown up the Potomac.
• Bethesda Row diningfood
  Walkable restaurants and shops close to the base.
• Glen Echo Parkfamily
  Arts park with a carousel and classes, near the Potomac.
• Nationals Parksports
  MLB baseball a short Metro ride away.
• Annapolis day tripday-trip
  Historic waterfront city on the Chesapeake Bay, about an hour away.
• Shenandoah National Parkday-trip
  Skyline Drive and hiking in the Blue Ridge, a long day trip west.

Realtors & local services

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Local programs & support

• Maryland Military Compatibility resources
  State portal with information on NSA Bethesda and other Maryland installations.
• Rental Partnership Program (Bethesda Housing Service Center)
  Discounted rent and reduced or waived deposits at participating apartments for active-duty members.

PCS tips for Naval Support Activity Bethesda

• Report to the urinalysis office within 72 hours of arrival in the uniform of the day, per the command's welcome guidance.
• E-4 and below who are unaccompanied report to the Building 62 front desk for barracks assignment; E-5 and above living off base must request BAH.
• Family housing is not on this installation, so start your Housing Early Assistance Tool application for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling or begin an off-base search as soon as you have orders.
• Ask the Housing Service Center about the Rental Partnership Program, which can reduce deposits and fees at participating apartments.
• Montgomery County rents are high; check metro access when choosing a neighborhood since parking and traffic around the base can be heavy.

Benefits to use on this move

• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
  Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
  Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
• Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)
  Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
• VA Home Loan Guaranty
  Service members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
• Pet Transportation Reimbursement
  Families moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
• Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
  School-age children of active duty families changing schools
• School Liaison Program
  Parents choosing schools and transferring records

See every program and benefit

Other installations in the Mid-Atlantic & D.C. area

• Fort LeePetersburg, VA
• Fort George G. MeadeOdenton, MD
• Fort BelvoirAlexandria / Springfield, VA
• Joint Base Myer-Henderson HallArlington, VA
• Fort DetrickFrederick, MD
• Aberdeen Proving GroundAberdeen, MD