Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

“The Mission of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is to continue supporting establishment operations for 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, attached II MEF units, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island/Eastern Recruiting Region”, according to the MCAS Beaufort MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. The air station is on Geiger Boulevard in Beaufort, South Carolina. Marine Aircraft Group 31 is based here; the check-in page lists MALS-31, VMFA-312, VMFA-224, VMFA-533 and VMFAT-501 among its squadrons.

Checking in

“New arrivals must take their original orders to their command to be endorsed before visiting the Installation Personnel Administration Center, Building 807”, the check-in page says. After working hours or on weekends, check in with the Air Station Officer of the Day in Building 601 at the Marine Corps Air Station Headquarters Duty Desk. Personnel with orders to MAG-31 check in with the MAG-31 S-1 in Building 1252 (843-228-7312).

Personnel in grades E-1 through E-6, WO-1 and O-1 through O-2 must attend the Welcome Aboard Brief (Settling In Services), which includes a resource fair; spouses are welcome. Information, Referral and Relocation is at 40 Elrod St., Building 596, Room 131 (843-228-7351).

The Visitor’s Center and Vehicle Registration at 859 Geiger Blvd., Building 2077, is open 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the last DBIDS appointment at 3 p.m. (843-228-7750).

What to hand-carry

The installation page lists medical and dental records, a copy of your official orders, school records for you and your children, your personnel file and training records, birth certificates, Social Security cards, vehicle titles, insurance papers, passports and prescriptions. “Do not pack these items” with your household goods.

Housing: Hunt Military Communities at Tri-Command

“On-base housing at MCAS Beaufort is privatized, known as PPV (Public Private Venture)”, and the Military Housing Office’s partnership with “HUNT Military Communities at Tri-Command” provides housing for active-duty members and their families, per the housing page. Housing Office, Building 1140 on Geiger Boulevard: 843-228-6000.

The installation page warns that “Cost of community housing (off-base housing) is relatively high in the Beaufort area”, so families who need two or more bedrooms off base should expect higher out-of-pocket costs. It also notes that Beaufort is susceptible to high tides, flooding and hurricanes and recommends renter’s insurance whether you rent off base or live in government housing.

Medical care

Naval Hospital Beaufort at 1 Pinckney Blvd. provides general medical and surgical services to active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel, retirees and military dependents in the Beaufort area, and includes two Branch Health Clinics, per the health care page. Central appointments: 843-228-5600. Ask the hospital which emergency and after-hours services are available before you need them.

Schools: DoDEA through grade 8

DoDEA operates Elliott Elementary School (preK-2) and Bolden Elementary/Middle School (3-8) for eligible children living in permanent quarters on the installations they serve, according to the education page. “There is not a DoDEA high school in the area.” After 8th grade, students attend a Beaufort County high school based on where they live: Laurel Bay military housing is zoned to Whale Branch Early College High School, Parris Island to Battery Creek High School, and Naval Hospital housing to Beaufort High School.

Before you arrive

Hand-carry your records, get your orders endorsed by your command first, budget for higher off-base rents, and buy renter’s insurance.