Aberdeen Proving Ground

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Aberdeen, Maryland
Installation Type: Proving Ground
Status: Active

Overview

Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) was established in 1917 as the Army’s oldest active proving ground, located on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Harford County, Maryland, approximately 30 miles northeast of Baltimore. It serves as the Army’s premier research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) center for ground combat systems, command and control technologies, and chemical and biological defense. APG is home to numerous Army commands and agencies making it one of the most organizationally diverse installations in the Army.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Research, development, test, and evaluation of Army materiel and systems, including combat vehicles, sensors, communications, and chemical/biological defense capabilities.
Major Units:
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)
U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM)
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command
311th Signal Command (Theater)
U.S. Army Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, and Communications-Tactical (C3T)
Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS)
Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S)
Tenant Units:
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) – elements
National Security Agency (NSA) – Aberdeen campus
U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Baltimore, MD — approximately 30 miles southwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) — approximately 40 miles southwest
Gate Access: The main gate (Aberdeen Gate) is accessible 24/7 for credentialed personnel. Visitor access requires a valid government-issued photo ID; visitor passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center on Route 22. CAC holders and RealID-compliant ID holders may use standard access lanes. Vehicle registration and proof of insurance are required for access.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000
Family Members: Approximately 7,000-9,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 12,000-15,000 (one of the largest civilian workforces on any Army installation)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000-30,000 (including contractors)

Key Facilities

Medical: Bassett Army Health Clinic — provides primary care for active duty, retirees, and family members; referrals to Ft. Meade’s Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center or civilian facilities for specialty care
Commissary: Yes — Aberdeen Proving Ground Commissary located in the Edgewood area; full-service grocery commissary
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main store in the Aberdeen area; additional shoppette locations on post
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers including the Aberdeen Fitness Center and Edgewood Fitness Center; indoor pool; bowling alley; golf course (Ruggles Golf Course); recreational vehicle storage; outdoor recreation rentals
Schools: No DoDEA schools on post — students attend Harford County Public Schools; Aberdeen High School, Edgewood Middle School, and multiple elementary schools serve military families
Childcare: Child Development Center on post; wait times can be lengthy — families encouraged to enroll in the Army’s Child Care Waiting List system (Child Care Services) upon receipt of PCS orders
Veterinary Services: APG Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine wellness care, vaccinations, and preventive medicine for military working dogs and privately owned animals of eligible beneficiaries
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, APG — provides legal assistance by appointment; walk-in hours for limited services; contact the Legal Assistance Office for current hours

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities — includes neighborhoods in both the Aberdeen and Edgewood areas; a variety of home sizes from 2 to 5 bedrooms for active duty families
Average Wait Time: Varies by grade and family size; wait times of several weeks to several months are common — check with Balfour Beatty Communities upon receipt of orders
Off-Post Housing: Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, and Edgewood are popular communities; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $1,400 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $2,200+ for a 3-4 bedroom home (as of 2024-2025 estimates)
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s S1 or Human Resources office to request a sponsor; the Army’s sponsorship program pairs incoming Soldiers with a current unit member prior to arrival
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center for in-processing; the process typically takes 3-5 business days and includes medical, finance, and administrative stops
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through the APG Medical Activity; contact Army Community Service (ACS) for EFMP Family Support services and current enrollment requirements

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical/Mid-Atlantic climate with warm, humid summers (average highs in the upper 80s-low 90s F) and mild to cool winters with occasional snow; spring and fall are generally pleasant
Cost of Living: Moderate to high relative to national average, largely driven by proximity to the Baltimore-Washington metro area; housing costs are the primary driver
Nearby Attractions:
Chesapeake Bay — boating, fishing, and waterfront dining within minutes of post
Baltimore Inner Harbor — museums, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and the National Aquarium approximately 30 miles away
Susquehanna State Park — hiking, camping, and historic sites in nearby Havre de Grace
Spouse Employment: Strong job market due to the concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and technology firms in the APG and Baltimore-Washington corridor; many spouses find employment on or near post with government agencies or supporting contractors

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/apg
Main Installation Phone: (410) 278-5201
MWR Website: https://apgmwr.com
ACS / Army Community Service: Army Community Service, Aberdeen Proving Ground — located in Building 3326; contact (410) 278-7569 for appointments and information

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), home.army.mil/apg, AAFES, Balfour Beatty Communities, Harford County Public Schools, Army Community Service APG