Branch: U.S. Navy
Location: Groton, Connecticut
Installation Type: Naval Submarine Base
Status: Active

Overview

Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE New London) is located in Groton, Connecticut, on the eastern bank of the Thames River, approximately 45 miles east of New Haven and 9 miles south of Norwich. Despite its name, the base is located in Groton, not New London (which is on the opposite bank of the Thames). SUBASE New London is the Navy’s “Submarine Capital of the World” – the oldest submarine base in the United States (established 1868) and home to the Naval Submarine School (SUBSCOL), which trains all submarine officers and enlisted personnel. Approximately one-third of the Navy’s entire submarine force is homeported at SUBASE New London.

Mission & Units

  • Primary Mission: Homeport approximately one-third of the U.S. Atlantic submarine fleet including Los Angeles-class (SSN) and Virginia-class (SSN) attack submarines; train all submarine sailors through the Naval Submarine School; support submarine readiness operations for the Atlantic Fleet.
  • Major Units: Naval Submarine School (SUBSCOL) – sole submarine training command for all Navy submarine enlisted and officer personnel; Commander, Submarine Group TWO; Multiple Attack Submarine Squadrons; Electric Boat shipbuilding support (adjacent)
  • Tenant Units: Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport/Groton; submarine maintenance and overhaul support; Naval Medical Clinic New London; Coast Guard Station New London (nearby)

Location & Access

  • Nearest Major City: New London, CT (population approximately 27,000) – across the Thames River (0.5 miles by bridge); New Haven, CT – approximately 45 miles west; Providence, RI – approximately 50 miles east; Boston, MA – approximately 100 miles northeast; New York City – approximately 120 miles southwest
  • Nearest Commercial Airport: T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence – approximately 55 miles northeast; Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT – approximately 55 miles west; New Haven Tweed Airport (HVN) – approximately 50 miles west
  • Gate Access: Main gate on Crystal Lake Road; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; submarine pier area has enhanced security

Population

  • Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 15,000 (including SUBSCOL student population)
  • Family Members: Approximately 14,000
  • Civilian Employees: Approximately 4,000
  • Total Installation Population: Approximately 33,000

Key Facilities

  • Medical: Naval Medical Clinic New London – primary care, dental, and behavioral health; specialty referrals to Yale New Haven Health System or Hartford HealthCare; both are excellent academic medical systems; Yale School of Medicine provides outstanding specialist access for complex cases
  • Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
  • Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Navy Exchange (NEX) and facilities
  • Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; golf course; bowling; auto skills; Connecticut and Rhode Island coastline access; Mystic Seaport Museum nearby; Block Island accessible by ferry; New England outdoor recreation; Boston and New York City accessible for cultural events
  • Schools: Groton Public Schools and New London Public Schools serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Groton schools have historically served military families well and are accustomed to the submarine community; Ledyard, Waterford, and East Lyme schools are alternatives with some families choosing neighboring districts; Connecticut schools overall are among the best in the nation by national metrics
  • Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early; Connecticut has good private childcare availability but at New England prices
  • Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care; local Connecticut veterinarians available
  • Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office, SUBASE New London; appointment-based

Housing

  • On-Post Housing: Navy Housing on base; privatized family housing; condition generally good; New London area housing market makes on-base living desirable
  • Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Connecticut off-post housing is available but expensive
  • Off-Post Housing: Groton, Ledyard, Waterford, Mystic, Montville, and New London are popular communities; Mystic area is beautiful but expensive; Groton and Ledyard offer the best value close to base; average rent approximately $2,000-$2,800/month for 3-bedroom home; Connecticut is one of the more expensive states in the Northeast; Connecticut has no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary military members
  • BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); New London/Groton BAH reflects Connecticut New England costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

  • Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining command; submarine squadron and boat sponsorship programs; SUBSCOL students have academic sponsorship; submarine community is close-knit
  • In-Processing: SUBASE New London in-processing; typically 2-3 days; SUBSCOL students have academic enrollment in-processing in addition to installation in-processing; submarine personnel have security-specific in-processing
  • EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Fleet and Family Support Center; enrollment required; Yale New Haven Health System and Hartford HealthCare provide outstanding specialist access; Yale Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s best pediatric facilities

Local Area & Quality of Life

  • Climate: Humid continental; warm summers (average high 81F/27C in July); cold winters (average low 20F/-7C in January); Nor’easter snowstorms possible; Connecticut shoreline is somewhat moderated by Long Island Sound; beautiful fall foliage; spring is late but lovely
  • Cost of Living: High; Connecticut is one of the more expensive states; housing particularly costly compared to national average; New England overall high cost; Connecticut has no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary residents; other taxes in CT can be significant
  • Nearby Attractions: Mystic Seaport Museum (10 miles east, world-class maritime museum); Mystic Aquarium; USS Nautilus Submarine Force Museum (on base – free, historic first nuclear-powered submarine); Block Island (ferry from New London, scenic New England island); Newport, RI (30 miles east, Gilded Age mansions and sailing); Providence, RI (50 miles east, Arts/RISD culture); New Haven (45 miles west, Yale University, famous pizza); Boston (100 miles northeast); New York City (120 miles southwest); Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos (10-15 miles); Connecticut Wine Trail; fall foliage drives
  • Spouse Employment: Connecticut offers employment in defense (Electric Boat/General Dynamics submarine manufacturing is the largest employer in the region, hiring thousands), healthcare (Yale, Hartford HealthCare, Lawrence + Memorial), Pfizer (Groton headquarters – major pharmaceutical employer), financial services (Hartford, 55 miles), and education; Electric Boat is uniquely positioned near SUBASE and hires thousands of submarine-related technical specialists; FFSC assists

Contact & Resources

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrma/installations/subasenewlondon.html; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/naval-submarine-base-new-london; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NavalSubmarineBaseNewLondon; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law

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