Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Installation Type: Naval Station
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Station Newport is located on Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, in the historic city of Newport. Home to the Naval War College (NWC) – the Navy’s senior professional military education institution – Naval Station Newport is the intellectual center of naval strategy and warfighting. The installation also houses Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport Division, which conducts research, development, and testing of undersea warfare systems, and the Naval Justice School. Newport is one of the most historically and culturally significant cities in New England, known for its Gilded Age mansions, sailing culture, and Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Host Naval War College (NWC) providing joint and naval PME to senior officers from all services and over 50 nations; conduct undersea warfare systems R&D through NUWC Newport; support Navy Judge Advocate General operations through Naval Justice School.
• Major Units: Naval War College (NWC) headquarters; Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS); Naval Justice School; Center for Naval Leadership
• Tenant Units: Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Newport Division (one of the Navy’s largest RDT&E activities); Tactical Training Group Atlantic (TTGL); Naval Reserve Readiness Command Northeast; Defense Contract Audit Agency elements

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Newport, RI (population approximately 27,000) immediately adjacent; Providence, RI – approximately 35 miles northwest; Boston, MA – approximately 75 miles north; New York City – approximately 200 miles southwest
• Nearest Commercial Airport: T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence – approximately 40 miles northwest; Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – approximately 80 miles north
• Gate Access: Main gate on Halsey Drive; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; NWC and NUWC areas have separate access controls

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000 (permanent party and student population varies by academic cycle)
• Family Members: Approximately 6,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 10,000 (large NUWC research workforce)
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 21,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Naval Health Clinic Newport – primary care, dental, and behavioral health; specialty referrals to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth via medevac or to Brown University Health in Providence (excellent academic medical center); Boston’s world-class hospitals (Mass General, Brigham and Women’s) are 80 miles away
• Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; sailing program (Newport’s sailing culture is world-class); tennis; golf; Newport waterfront and historic district; beaches (First Beach, Second Beach, Third Beach); New England culture and outdoor recreation; skiing in Vermont/New Hampshire (2-3 hours)
• Schools: Newport Public Schools serve military families on Aquidneck Island; no DoDEA schools; Newport schools are a frequent topic of discussion for military families – quality varies; Middletown and Portsmouth (adjacent towns on Aquidneck Island) have their own school districts and are generally considered alternatives; island location limits some options; Providence and East Bay communities accessible by bridge
• Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; limited; local Newport and Middletown veterinarians available
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, Naval Station Newport; Naval Justice School also located here; appointment-based

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Navy Housing on base; family housing neighborhoods; historic housing stock on base (some very old Navy housing); Narragansett Bay views; condition varies; on-base housing popular given Newport’s expensive real estate market
• Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Newport off-post housing is expensive due to the city’s tourism and affluence
• Off-Post Housing: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, and Bristol are primary communities on Aquidneck Island and Bristol County; Fall River, MA (across the state line) is more affordable; average rent approximately $2,200-$3,200/month for 3-bedroom home; Newport is one of the more expensive small cities in New England; Rhode Island and the Providence area provide more affordable options; Rhode Island has no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary residents
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Newport BAH is relatively high reflecting Rhode Island/New England costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; NWC, SWOS, and NUWC sponsorship programs; Newport assignment is typically for O-5/O-6 level NWC students or senior technical/research billets at NUWC
• In-Processing: Naval Station Newport in-processing; typically 2-3 days; NWC academic enrollment for students; NUWC technical and security in-processing for research staff
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; Brown University Health in Providence and Boston’s hospitals provide excellent specialist access

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid continental; warm summers (average high 80F/27C in July); cold winters (average low 21F/-6C in January); occasional Nor’easter snowstorms; autumn foliage spectacular; New England seasons are distinct and beautiful; ocean location moderates extremes somewhat
• Cost of Living: High; Newport is an expensive city; Rhode Island overall is above national average; Boston proximity adds to costs; BAH helps but housing remains challenging; New England living is costly but culturally rich
• Nearby Attractions: Newport’s Gilded Age Mansions (The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff – among the most opulent summer cottages ever built); Newport Cliff Walk (3.5-mile ocean walk along mansions); Newport Harbor and International Tennis Hall of Fame; Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival (August); Rhode Island beaches; Providence (35 miles) – Capital city with vibrant arts, food, and Brown/RISD culture; Boston (75 miles) – one of America’s greatest cities; Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket accessible by ferry; Cape Cod (1 hour); Fall foliage drives throughout New England; skiing in Vermont/New Hampshire (2-3 hours)
• Spouse Employment: Newport employment limited by small city size; tourism, healthcare (Newport Hospital), education, and retail are primary employers; NUWC provides technical employment for STEM spouses; Providence (35 miles) and Boston (75 miles) metro areas offer extensive employment; Brown University, RISD, and multiple colleges in Providence area; remote work important for many spouses; FFSC assists

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/nsnewport.html
• Main Installation Phone: (401) 841-3456
• MWR Website: https://newport.navymwr.org (verify current URL)
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), Naval Station Newport; (401) 841-3373; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/nsnewport.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-station-newport; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalStationNewport; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law