Base guide

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

3 min read

  • 6 sections
  • 8 sources
On this page
  1. Getting on base and checking in
  2. Housing
  3. Medical care
  4. Schools and pets
  5. Legal assistance
  6. Before you arrive

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is a 1,000-acre installation in Southeast Washington, D.C., next to Interstate 295, that supports 70 mission partner units and more than 17,000 military and civilian employees and their families across the National Capital Region, according to the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview of JBAB. Lead-service responsibility moved from the Navy to the Air Force after a May 2019 memorandum by the two service secretaries, the overview says. As listed in October 2026, the overview also puts the region’s cost of living about 53% above the national average, with housing a major part of it.

Getting on base and checking in

JBAB has three entrances: the Main Gate (Arnold Gate), the South Gate (Visitor Gate) and the Firth Sterling Gate; visitors without a military ID report to the South Gate, per the JBAB MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. Gate hours and access procedures change, so confirm them with your sponsor before you arrive. On arrival, report directly to your own command, whose support staff will guide your in-processing and mandatory appointments, per the check-in page. The newcomers orientation is called Right Start.

Housing

The Housing Management Office, 229 Brookley Avenue, Building 520 (202-284-3060), handles on-base housing assignments and off-base rental and sales listings across the National Capital Region, per the JBAB housing page. Areas within a 60-minute rush-hour commute include all of D.C., nearly all of Prince George’s County, parts of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and Montgomery counties in Maryland, and Alexandria and most of Fairfax County in Virginia. The page notes that off-base housing may cost more than you are paying now, and that pets routinely require a substantial deposit in many local rentals. If you are assigned to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, its housing page lists JBAB among the installations where NCR Soldiers can apply.

Single permanent-party members in grades E-4 and below must live in the dormitory and report to their First Sergeant or the dormitory superintendent on arrival. Single NCO accommodations on base are limited, and geographic bachelor housing is available only on a space-available basis.

Medical care

The 316th Medical Squadron is at 238 Brookley Avenue (888-999-1212), per the health care page.

Schools and pets

The JBAB housing area is zoned for DC Public Schools, Ward 8, and school transportation is available for students who live on base; contact the School Liaison Officer for details, per the education page. In the National Capital Region, dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies and registered every year, per the shipping pets page. The Navy Lodge accepts pets on a limited basis, so ask when you book.

The Legal Office is at 20 MacDill Boulevard, Suite 349, Building P-20 (202-284-3237), per the legal assistance page.

Before you arrive

Call the Housing Management Office about on-base availability and your commute options, and confirm current gate procedures with your sponsor.

Sources

installations.militaryonesource.mil