United States Naval Academy

Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Installation Type: United States Service Academy
Status: Active

Overview

The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is located in Annapolis, Maryland, on the Severn River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Founded in 1845, the Naval Academy is the premier undergraduate educational institution for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, commissioning approximately 1,000 officers annually as ensigns (Navy) and second lieutenants (Marine Corps). The Academy provides a four-year bachelor’s degree program (primarily in engineering and science disciplines) combined with rigorous naval and military training. Annapolis is considered one of America’s most beautiful small cities, with a historic brick colonial downtown, sailing culture, and exceptional Chesapeake Bay waterfront.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Develop and commission officers of character for the Naval Service; provide undergraduate education in engineering, science, and humanities; instill the values and professional knowledge required for naval leadership; prepare midshipmen for service as commissioned officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.
Major Units: Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy (RADM command); Academic Dean and Provost; Commandant of Midshipmen; Brigade of Midshipmen (approximately 4,400 midshipmen); Department of Athletics (NCAA Division I, Midshipmen)
Tenant Units: Naval Academy Athletic Association; Arleigh Burke Hall (Science and Engineering); Rickover Hall; Nimitz Library; Bancroft Hall (world’s largest dormitory); Robert Crown Sailing Center

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Annapolis, MD (population approximately 40,000) – within city limits; Washington, DC – approximately 30 miles west; Baltimore, MD – approximately 30 miles north
Nearest Commercial Airport: Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) – approximately 22 miles northwest; Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) – approximately 35 miles northwest; Dulles International Airport (IAD) – approximately 55 miles west
Gate Access: Gate 1 (main visitor gate) on Randall Street; Gate 8 (McGarvey) for official vehicles; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Information Center; public access to some areas during official hours; football game days have special access procedures; Yard (Academy grounds) open to public visitors during the day

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,400 midshipmen + approximately 1,000 permanent military faculty and staff
Family Members: Approximately 2,000 (permanent party staff only; midshipmen are not accompanied)
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000 (academic faculty and support staff)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 9,400 (plus midshipmen in training)

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Health Clinic Annapolis – medical clinic for midshipmen and permanent party; Midshipmen’s clinic provides comprehensive care; specialty referrals to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda, 30 miles) or University of Maryland Medical System or Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore; excellent regional medical access
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base for staff; midshipmen use Brigade messing (dining facilities)
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) Midshipman Store and facilities for staff and midshipmen
Fitness & Recreation: World-class athletics facilities for midshipmen and staff; Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (football, NCAA Division I); athletic fields; Woodworth Pool; sailing (Academy is renowned for sailing – Annapolis is “Sailing Capital of the United States”); tennis; gymnasium; Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay offer exceptional outdoor recreation
Schools: Anne Arundel County Public Schools serve staff families; no DoDEA schools; midshipmen live in Bancroft Hall; Anne Arundel County schools are generally excellent (one of Maryland’s better school systems); Severna Park and Arnold area schools are popular with USNA staff families
Childcare: Child Development Center for permanent party staff families; midshipmen are not eligible; limited capacity; register early
Veterinary Services: Limited on-base veterinary services; Annapolis and Anne Arundel County have excellent private veterinarians
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office on base; appointment-based; Academy-specific legal matters for midshipmen handled through Academy legal staff

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government quarters for permanent military faculty and senior staff; limited on-base family housing; Bancroft Hall houses all midshipmen; most permanent party staff live off-base in Anne Arundel County
Average Wait Time: Limited on-base options; most staff live off-base
Off-Post Housing: Annapolis, Severna Park, Arnold, Edgewater, Davidsonville, Crownsville, and greater Anne Arundel County are popular; waterfront properties premium-priced; Annapolis has expensive historic district housing; average rent approximately $2,200-$3,200/month for 3-bedroom home; Maryland is a higher-cost state; DC/Baltimore commuter area prices elevated; Maryland does not have special military income tax exemption for residents
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Annapolis/Anne Arundel BAH reflects the DC/Baltimore metro market

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining department; USNA faculty and staff sponsorship programs; midshipmen parents have separate Plebe Parent Weekend and community programs; Academy assignment is prestigious and sought-after
In-Processing: USNA in-processing; typically 2-3 days; academic department in-processing for faculty; Commandant staff in-processing for military training staff; I-Day (Induction Day) in late June is the midshipmen arrival ceremony
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; Anne Arundel County and the DC/Baltimore corridor provide outstanding specialist access; Johns Hopkins Hospital (30 miles) and Walter Reed NMMC are premier facilities

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical/humid continental transition; hot humid summers (average high 87F/31C in July); cold winters (average low 26F/-3C in January); occasional Nor’easter snow; spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are spectacular; Chesapeake Bay moderates temperature extremes somewhat
Cost of Living: High; Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are expensive; DC metro proximity drives costs; housing particularly expensive relative to national average; Maryland taxes are above average; BAH partially compensates
Nearby Attractions: Historic Annapolis downtown (brick Colonial streets, Maryland State House, City Dock, seafood restaurants, sailing); Chesapeake Bay sailing, crabbing, and water activities; Sandy Point State Park; Bay Bridge to Eastern Shore; Washington, DC (30 miles, world-class free museums, monuments, culture); Baltimore Inner Harbor and National Aquarium (30 miles); Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park; Maryland Horse Country (Frederick area); Assateague Island wild ponies (90 miles); Rehoboth Beach, DE (90 miles)
Spouse Employment: Annapolis-DC-Baltimore corridor offers excellent employment; DC federal government (30 miles), federal contracting, healthcare (University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, MedStar Health), technology, and financial services; Anne Arundel County government; USNA academic departments hire some spouses; remote work very common; FFSC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.usna.edu
Main Installation Phone: (410) 293-1000
MWR Website: https://annapolis.navymwr.org (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), Annapolis; (410) 293-0122; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.usna.edu; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/united-states-naval-academy; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedStatesNaval_Academy; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law