Welcome to Fort Meade! Your New Duty Station Guide

Welcome to Fort George G. Meade, the nation’s center for information, intelligence, and cyber operations. Home to the U.S. Cyber Command, National Security Agency, Defense Information Systems Agency, Defense Media Activity, Defense Courier Service, Environmental Protection Agency Science Center, Defense Information School, and the U.S. Army Field Band, Fort Meade has a diverse workforce. Spanning more than 5,000 acres, Fort Meade is a large base that supports the diverse military community with many resources. Check out our in-depth guide below to learn more about your new base.

Where Is Fort Meade?

Address: 902 Reece Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Base Operator: (301) 677-6261

The main gate and visitor control center for Fort Meade are located at the above address.

Procedures for Entering Fort Meade

Whether you’re coming to Fort Meade for a PCS or just to visit, here is some information to help your arrival go smoothly.

Getting to Fort Meade

Fort Meade is located between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, making travel to the base easy.

The closest airport is Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), about 20 minutes from the base.

Nearby major cities include Washington, D.C. (about 60 minutes), Baltimore (about 45 minutes), and Annapolis (about 30 minutes).

Gates & Hours of Operation

Fort Meade has a few gates, but the main gate is the Reece Road Gate (main gate) with a Visitor Control Center.

Reece Road Gate information is listed below. For a full list and detailed gate procedures, visit Installation Access on the Fort Meade website.

Reece Road Gate

The Reece Road Gate is the main gate to Fort Meade. The visitor control center is located just outside this gate and is where visitors may obtain a pass for entering through all other gates unaccompanied.

When the VCC is closed, visitors should enter the base through the visitor lane at Reece Road Gate.

Location: 902 Reece Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

VCC Hours: Monday through Friday, 0700-1200 & 1300-1600

VCC Phone: (301) 677-1064/1065

Incoming Personnel

All service members reporting to Fort Meade should report to their individual commands and units, as well as their sponsor for branch-specific information.

Service members are required to attend a Newcomer’s Orientation to learn about support services on the installation. Spouses are encouraged to attend this orientation.

Coming to Fort Meade? Here’s What You Need For Base Access

Anyone visiting with a Department of Defence (DoD) Common Access Card and/or retired military ID can access the base through any gate.

If visitors (18+) do not have a DoD Common Access Card or retired military ID, they must go to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) with a US ID in the form of a Real ID and/or Enhanced Driver’s License.

If visitors do not have a Real ID/Enhanced driver's license, a retired military ID, a DoD Common Access Card, or a service-connected Veterans Card, they must bring another form of US ID, such as a passport, Social Security card, or birth certificate, to the visitor control center.

Fort Meade Visitor Control Center

The Fort Meade Visitor Control Center can help visitors gain access to the base. Visitors without a DoD ID Card must be sponsored by an approved DoD personnel.

Location: 902 Reece Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0700-1200 & 1300-1600

Phone: (301) 677-1064/1065

What ID Do You Need For Base Access?

To access the installation as a guest of a valid DoD ID holder, you are required to present one of the following:

• Common Access Card (CAC)
• Real ID-compliant identification
• US Passport
• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)

For a full list of acceptable forms of identification, please visit the Installation Access page on the Fort Meade website linked above.

Fort Meade Base Amenities & Facilities

Below, we are breaking down some of the base amenities and facilities that are available on Fort Meade.

Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center is complete with primary care clinics, pharmacy, lab testing, and more to serve service members, retirees, and families. Please note there is no urgent care or emergency services at this clinic.

Address: 2480 Llewellyn Ave, Fort Meade, 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0745-1630

Information Phone: (301) 677-8741

Appointments Phone: (301) 677-8800

Finance Office

The Finance Office is dedicated to making sure service members get accurate pay and resolving pay issues. This office is located within the Soldier Support Center.

Address: 4550 Parade Field Lane, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0730-1330

Phone: (301) 677-7781, (301) 677-7775, or (301) 677-4352

Legal Office

The Legal Office is available to service members, retirees, and family members. The office provides legal services such as Power of Attorney, notary, basic and living wills, and information on other legal matters. The legal office is by appointment only. Call for appointments.

Address: 4217 Morrison St. Fort Meade, MD 20755

Phone: (301) 677-9504 or (301) 677-9536

Commissary

The Fort Meade Commissary is a grocery store on base offering cost savings to service members and families. Use the commissary Click2Go online ordering system by clicking the link above.

Address: 2786 Mapes and MacArthur Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Sunday through Saturday, 0900-1900

Phone: (443) 698-9080

Exchange

The Fort Meade Exchange Towne Center is a shopping complex that aims to meet the needs of service members and families. You will find everything from department store items, a barber shop, GNC, Game Stop, a food court, and more.

Address: 2799 Rose Street, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 0900-1900; Sunday 1000-1800

Phone: (410) 305-8173

Post Office

The United States Postal Service has an office on base for all your mailing needs.

Address: 2789 MacArthur Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0900-1700; Saturday, 0900-1200

Phone: (301) 621-7071

Personal Property Processing Office

The Personal Property Processing Office can oversee your property shipments and help your PCS run smoothly.

Address: 4550 Parade Field Lane, Suite 133, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0730-1600

Phone: (301) 677-9638 or (301) 677-9637

ID/DEERs Office

The Fort Meade ID/DEERs Office can help with getting or renewing military ID cards and enrolling or updating DEERs for service members, veterans, and families. You can schedule an appointment or use the Online Card Renewal System.

Address: 4550 Parade Field Lane, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0730-1530

Phone: (301) 677-3342 or (301) 677-2674

Barber Shops

Make sure your hair is within regulation at Fort Meade’s barber shop inside the exchange.

Fort Meade Exchange

Address: 2799 Rose St, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 0900-2000; Sunday, 1000-1900

Phone: (410) 305-8173

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR)

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) on Fort Campbell offers a multitude of support to families calling Fort Meade home. From Child and Youth Services (CYS) to bowling, fine dining, and everything in between, MWR wants to make sure you thrive at your new duty station. Check out their website to see all they have to offer.

Address: 4550 Parade Field Lane, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Hours vary by resource. Check out the list below for a few favorites.

Library

The Medal of Honor Memorial Library has books, digital resources, programs for patrons of all ages, and computers, making sure you have plenty to read while you’re here.

Address: 4418 Llewellyn Ave, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 1100-1800

Phone: (301) 677-5522

Automotive Skills Center

The Automotive Skills Center provides a space for auto maintenance and hobby work. Featuring 24 work bays, hydraulic lifts, and computerized equipment, you will find everything you need to get the job done right.

Address: 6530A Taylor Ave, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 1200-2000; Saturday, 0900-1700; Sunday, 0900-1730

Phone: (301) 677-5542

Bowling

The Lanes Fort Meade facility promotes a 36-lane facility complete with automatic scoring, league play, lessons, parties, a lounge, and more.

Address: 2788 MacArthur Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Hours: Monday & Tuesday, 1000-2100; Wednesday, 1300-2000; Thursday, 1300-2100; Friday, 1000-1900; Saturday, 1200-1900

Phone: (301) 677-5541

Fitness Centers

Fort Meade Fitness Centers strive to meet the mental and physical needs of service members, retirees, and families by offering a diversified program that includes weight training equipment, fitness classes, personal trainers, and more. Murphy Field House is open to active-duty service members only.

Gaffney Fitness Center

Address: 6330 Broadfoot Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0500-0900 & 1000-2000; Saturday and Sunday, 0800-1400

Phone: (301) 677-3716

Murphy Field House

Address: 8451 Zimborksi Ave, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0530-0830

Phone: (301) 677-2402

Aquatics

Swim laps at the indoor pool located at Gaffney Fitness Center. Active-duty personnel have designated lap swim times. Visit the MWR Aquatics page here for the recent calendar.

Gaffney Fitness Center Indoor Pool

Address: 6330 Broadfoot Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Phone: (301) 677-3716

Childcare

Fort Meade has three Child Development Centers (CDCs) offering hourly and weekly childcare for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. The programs all follow a combination of Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Creative Curriculum, which is based on this stage of development for the children enrolled.

CDC #2

Address: 3100 MacArthur Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Phone: (301)677-6002

CDC #3

Address: 910 Ernie Pyle Street, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Phone: (301) 677-1950 or (301) 677-1951

CDC #4

Address: 2410 85th Medical Battalion Ave, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Phone: (301)677-9438

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

The Exceptional Family Member Program is designed to support those who are responsible for managing care and services for family members with special needs. The EFMP Medical Office is for enrollments and assignments. The EFMP Family Support Office can help with individualized assistance, workshops, and information about programs.

EFMP Medical Office Address: 2480 Llewellyn Ave, Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755

EFMP Medical Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 0730-1600

EFMP Medical Office Phone: (301) 677-5590 or (301) 677-4473

EFMP Family Support Office Address: 830 Chisholm Ave, Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755

EFMP Family Support Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 0730-1600

EFMP Family Support Office Phone: (301) 677-8411, (301) 677-8502, or (301) 677-8285

Fort Meade Dining Facilities

There are numerous ways to dine on base at Fort Meade in addition to traditional DFACs. Below are two favorite locations.

The Pin Deck Cafe

The Pin Deck Cafe, located right on base inside the bowling center, serves up diner favorites like an all-day breakfast menu, burgers, pizza, wings, and more.

Address: 2788 MacArthur Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755

Hours: Tuesday, 1300-2100; Wednesday & Thursday, 1300-2000; Friday, 1000-1900; Saturday, 1200-1900

Phone: (301) 677-5541

Exchange Food Court

The Main Exchange Food Court has all your favorites from Charlie's Subs, Panda Express, Qdoba, and more.

Address: 2799 Rose Street, Ft Meade, MD 207555

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 0900-2000; Sunday, 1000-1900

Phone: (410) 305-8173

Fort Meade Housing

Fort Meade offers military housing, unaccompanied housing, and privatized housing.

Housing Office

The Fort Meade Housing Services Office can help you make decisions about where to live and how to apply.

Address: 3081 Ernie Pyle Street, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0800-1600

Phone: (301) 677-7748

Unaccompanied Housing

Unaccompanied housing (UH) is mandatory and provided for single soldiers E1 to E5 with no dependents. Unaccompanied military E6 and above are not required to live in the barracks and may reside off base.

Address: 6405 Simonds Street, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0730-1630

Phone: (301) 677-4783 or (301) 677-2458

Privatized Housing/Corvias

Fort Meade has privatized families living on base. Fort Meade partners with Corvias to provide housing for military families of Fort Meade, responsible for management, maintenance, and construction.

Fort Meade offers 2, 3, and 4 bedroom layouts, game rooms, parks and playgrounds, fitness centers, and so much more! As soon as you know you’re coming to Fort Meade, get on the list to reserve your spot on base.

Address: 2965 2nd Army Drive, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Hours: Monday through Friday, 0800-1800

Phone: (410) 305-1258

On-Base Housing Pet Policy

Fort Meade recognizes the joy pet ownership can bring to families living on base. In an effort to protect community members, there are a few rules for owning a pet if you live on base. Check out the FAQ section of their website for more information.

Off-Base Housing/Military Preferred Living Areas

The neighboring communities of Odenton, Laurel, Columbia, and Jessup provide housing, employment, and other services for Fort Meade’s military families. The Baltimore-Washington Metro Area’s cost of living is higher than the national average, so housing and utility bills may be expensive. We’re giving some stats for our top two below.

Laurel, MD

Laurel, Maryland, is about 20 minutes from Fort Meade in Prince George's County and home to nearly 30,000 residents. It is known for its prime commuter location. Laurel has much to explore in an urban setting, featuring everything from parks and trails to horse races and pools. You’ll find something for everyone here.

Median listing home price: $500,000

Median rental rate: $2,000

Schools: Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) serves more than 130,000 students, P-K through 12th grade, across many schools around the county.

According to Niche, a popular school-ranking site, Prince George’s County Public Schools receives a C rating. Visit the Prince George’s County Public Schools website to find the schools you’re zoned for.

Columbia, MD

Columbia, MD, in Howard County, is about 25 minutes from Fort Meade and home to nearly 100,000 residents. This community has a good mix of urban and suburban living with lakefronts, parks, and a bustling downtown.

Median listing home price: $475,000

Median rental rate: $2,200

Schools: Howard County Public School System (HCPSS): Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) serves more than 57,000 students, P-K through 12th grade, across many schools around the county.

According to Niche, a popular school-ranking site, Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) received an A rating. Visit the Howard County Public School System website to find the schools you’re zoned for.

Fort Meade Schools

Base Schools (K-12)

Students residing on the installation are zoned for one of the four elementary schools, a middle school, or a high school on base. On-base schools are not DoWEA schools; they fall under the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district.

According to Niche, a popular school-ranking site, Anne Arundel County Public School System (HCPSS) received a B+ rating. Visit the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website to find out more and to register your student(s).

Off-Base Schools (K-12)

Students residing in nearby communities off base are included in either the Prince George’s County Public Schools or the Howard County Public School System. Check individual district websites to determine the schools you are zoned for based on your address.

Local Employment Assistance & Resources

Employment Readiness Program

The Employment Readiness Program provides support to spouses and dependent family members seeking career development and job search assistance. Services are available by appointment by calling (301) 677-5590.

Local Employment Resources

City of Laurel

Official job listings for the City of Laurel.

Prince George County

Official job listings for Prince George County.

Prince George County Public Schools

See openings in Prince George’s County Public Schools.

Howard County

Official job listings for Howard County.

Howard County Public Schools

See openings in Howard County Public Schools.

Fort Meade Civilian Opportunities

Federal Jobs

Federal employment opportunities are available at Fort Meade and are open to both military-affiliated applicants and the public.

These positions often provide competitive benefits and long-term stability. You can find employment for NAF positions, Defence Commissary Agency (DeCA), Child Development Centers, and more. Find your federal job using the USAJOBS website here.

Welcome to Your New Home at Fort Meade

Transitioning to a new duty station always comes with a learning curve, but Fort Meade is incredibly well-equipped to make your PCS as smooth as possible. Because it serves as the nation's premier hub for cyber, intelligence, and information operations, you are stepping into a vibrant, highly connected, and diverse military community.

Whether you are settling into on-base housing, exploring the bustling neighboring communities of Columbia and Laurel, or diving into the massive list of MWR resources, Fort Meade offers a robust support system for both single service members and growing families.

Keep this guide handy as you get your bearings, lean on your unit sponsor for specific reporting procedures, and take full advantage of the amenities waiting for you. Welcome to Maryland, and enjoy your assignment at Fort Meade!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I live on Fort Meade wthout children?

Yes, housing options on base are determined by rank and marital status.

Can I live on Fort Meade if I'm not married?

Yes, Soldiers E5 and below are required to live in the barracks.

What are the PT hours for Fort Meade?

Base-wide PT hours are weekdays from 0630-0800.

Can I use coupons at the commissary?

Yes. As part of the Defence Commissary Agency (DeCA), the Fort Meade Commissary will accept manufacturer paper coupons, print-at-home coupons, and digital coupons.

Is Fort Meade hands-free?

Yes. Fort Meade and State laws prohibit holding and using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.