MCAS CHERRY POINT: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER
By Rachel Childs
Introduction
Welcome to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. MCAS Cherry Point's all-weather jet base provides a combat-ready aerial striking force for the United States. It is home to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Readiness Center East, the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Marine Unit and Combat Logistics Company 21. MCAS Cherry Point's population includes approximately 9,500 military members; 5,500 civilian personnel; 3,700 permanent contractors; and 8,200 military family members. For more information on MCAS Cherry Point, visit the base's website. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on MCAS Cherry Point so you can get to know your new base and its surrounding community. 1. Where Is MCAS Cherry Point? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Base 4. Entering MCAS Cherry Point and Station Amenities- Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
- MCAS Cherry Point Visitor Center
- MCAS Cherry Point Gate Hours
- MCAS Cherry Point DEERS Office
- MCAS Cherry Point Commissary
- MCAS Cherry Point MCX
- MCAS Cherry Point Barber Shops
- MCAS Cherry Point Post Office
- MCAS Cherry Point Finance Office
- MCAS Cherry Point Legal Office
- MCAS Cherry Point Library
- MCAS Cherry Point Hotels
Where is MCAS Cherry Point?
Pass and ID Office Building 251, Main Gate MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-5921 or 1 (252) 466-3066MCAS Cherry Point Map
MCAS Cherry Point Directions
MCAS Cherry Point is in eastern North Carolina. The base is in the city of Havelock in Craven County. The base is only 20 miles from the Crystal Coast and beautiful Atlantic beaches. To the north of base is the Neuse River, to the south is the city of Newport, to the southwest is Jacksonville and to the northeast is Cape Hatteras at the foot of the great Outer Banks.Coastal Carolina Regional Airport
The closest airport is Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, which is about 20 miles from the base.Driving Directions From Coastal Carolina Regional Airport
- Take Highway 70 east toward Havelock for approximately 16 miles.
- Take the exit toward Cherry Point/Slocum Gate.
MCAS Cherry Point Transportation Office
Getting ready for a PCS move and in need of some help? Call the MCAS Cherry Point Distribution Management Office. For more military moving contacts and information, visit Move.mil, the official DOD customer moving portal.MCAS Cherry Point DMO
Building 298, E Street MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28533Phone:
1 (252) 466-2345MCAS Cherry Point DMO Hours
Monday through Friday -
0800 to 1630 (closes at 1300 Thursday for staff training).
Entering MCAS Cherry Point and Station Amenities
If you do not have a valid military ID, you may have to stop at the pass and ID office to gain base access. Click here for more information on the pass and ID office at MCAS Cherry Point.Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
Upon arrival, contact your assigned unit and your sponsor for in-processing instructions and information. During working hours, station, 2nd MAW, CLC and CNATT permanent personnel will be given their endorsement and their join audit at the Installation Personnel Administration Center in Building 298. After working hours, permanent personnel can get an after-hours reporting endorsement with the command duty officer in the Christian F. Schilt building. Personnel will report to IPAC the next business day to get their official endorsement and join audit. Transportation to IPAC is available for Marines staying at the temporary enlisted quarters. You must have your gear ready at 7:15 a.m. to be picked up by the IPAC duty driver in front of the check-in window. Contact 1 (252) 466-6756 if you are not picked up by 7:45 a.m. CNATT student personnel check into Barracks 3742. Call 1 (252) 466-2722 or 1 (252) 466-2672 for more information. FRC-East personnel will check in directly to FRC-East. For more information on checking in, visit MCAS Cherry Point's website.
MCAS Cherry Point Visitor Center
The base's pass and ID office issues temporary vehicle passes and can provide directions and information on the base.Pass and ID Office
Building 251, at the main gate MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-5921 or 1 (252) 466-3066Pass and ID Office Hours
Monday through Friday -
0600 to 1200.
MCAS Cherry Point Gate Hours
Main Gate:
Roosevelt Boulevard, open 24/7.Slocum Gate:
Slocum Road, open 0600 to 0730 Monday through Friday (inbound only), 0730 to 2200 Monday through Thursday (inbound and outbound), 0730 to 0100 Friday (inbound and outbound) and 0600 to 0100 Saturday and Sunday (inbound and outbound).Cunningham Gate:
Cunningham Road, open 0600 to 0830 Monday through Friday (inbound only) and 1500 to 1800 Monday through Friday (outbound only).Catawba Gate:
Catawba Road, open 0730 to 0800 and 1500 to 1530 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (school days only, buses inbound only, any traffic outbound).Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School Gate:
Walk-through gate, open 0730 to 0800 and 1500 to 1530 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (school days only).
MCAS Cherry Point DEERS Office
MCAS Cherry Point DEERS and RAPIDS
Building 298, E Street MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28533Phone:
1 (252) 466-3330MCAS Cherry Point DEERS and RAPIDS Hours
Monday through Friday -
0730 to 1600.
MCAS Cherry Point Commissary
Building 3918, Roosevelt Boulevard and E Street MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28533Phone:
1 (252) 466-0800MCAS Cherry Point Commissary Hours
Tuesday -
0900 to 1900.Wednesday through Friday -
1000 to 1900.Saturday -
0900 to 1800.Sunday -
1000 to 1800.
MCAS Cherry Point MCX
Building 3918, Carteret Road MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28533Phone:
1 (252) 447-7041MCAS Cherry Point Exchange Hours
Monday through Friday -
1000 to 2000.Saturday and Sunday -
1000 to 1800.
MCAS Cherry Point Barber Shop
American Clippers
Building 3918, Carteret Road MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28533Phone:
1 (252) 444-1835MCAS Cherry Point Barber Shop Hours
Monday -
0600 to 1900.Tuesday through Friday -
0700 to 1700.Saturday -
0900 to 1800.Sunday -
0900 to 1700.
MCAS Cherry Point Post Office
153 E St. MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-2496MCAS Cherry Point Post Office Hours
Monday through Friday -
1000 to 1400.
MCAS Cherry Point Finance Office
If you're looking for financial advice or assistance on money matters, the talented and professional counselors at MCAS Cherry Point's Personal & Professional Development branch can help.Personal & Professional Development
Building 4335, C Street MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-4201MCAS Cherry Point Personal & Professional Development Hours
Monday through Friday -
0730 to 1630.
MCAS Cherry Point Legal Office
Building 219 MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28533Phone:
1 (252) 466-2311 or 1 (252) 466-2361MCAS Cherry Point Legal Office Hours
Some legal assistance is available by appointment only. Visit the base's legal assistance website for more information on walk-in and appointment services.
MCAS Cherry Point Library
Building 298, E Street MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-3552MCAS Cherry Point Library Hours
Monday through Friday -
0900 to 1900.Saturday and Sunday -
1200 to 1700.
MCAS Cherry Point Hotels
There are many hotels near MCAS Cherry Point, so you're sure to find one to fit your budget. For a full list of military lodges and affiliated resorts in the area, visit the Department of Defense Lodging website and the Inns of the Corps website.Cherry Point Inn
Building 487, Madison Drive MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-5169Devil Dog Inn
Building 3673, F Street MCAS Cherry Point, NC 28532Phone:
1 (252) 466-5169
Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide's MCAS Cherry Point Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.
Where Should I Live Near MCAS Cherry Point?
Cities Near MCAS Cherry Point
While many military family members call base housing their home, others choose to live in nearby communities. Havelock, James City, Neuse Forest, New Bern, Newport and other neighboring communities provide housing, employment and other services for MCAS Cherry Point military families. The cost of living in the region is below the national averages, so rental housing and real estate is affordable.Suggested Reads: MCAS Cherry Point Housing: 12 On-Base Options
Best Places to Live Near MCAS Cherry Point
Havelock
The city of Havelock is home to MCAS Cherry Point and offers residents a short commute to the base. The city has a population of approximately 20,000 people. Havelock offers residents a host of outdoor activities. Check out the Croatan National Forest, a 160,000-acre area with pine forests, saltwater estuaries, bogs and raised swamps. The forest offers opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, water activities and more. More outdoor adventures can be had in the city's parks. The city maintains more than 100 acres of parks and facilities, including a recreation center.New Bern
MCAS Cherry Point is less than 20 miles south of the city of New Bern. The city has a population of approximately 30,000 people. New Bern is a historic city that offers residents a host of recreational opportunities, outdoor activities, and a thriving arts scene. New Bern is home to the North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace, which explores America’s colonial past with the Governor's Palace, formal gardens, costumed guides, and interactive exhibits. The Trent and Neuse rivers, creeks, and lakes offer ample opportunities for wet and wild fun. The city's parks and recreation department maintains 25 parks as well as a variety of youth and adult athletics and recreational programs.
Hot Tip: Look for MCAS Cherry Point homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.
MCAS Cherry Point Schools
There are many options for your child's education near MCAS Cherry Point. North Carolina offers traditional public schools, as well as public charter schools and private schools. For younger children, there are a variety of local daycares and child care programs on and off base. Children who live on base may attend schools in the Craven County Schools district. There are no DoDEA schools on base. The MCAS Cherry Point school liaison program website has more information on area school districts, home schooling in North Carolina, parent resources and more. The website also has contact information for the base's school liaison officer, who can provide information and guidance on area schools as well as educational resources for your children.
MCAS Cherry Point Weather
MCAS Cherry Point has a humid, subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. In winter, the average highs at MCAS Cherry Point are in the mid to high 50s. Average lows dip to the mid to high 30s. Snow is rare; the base sees an average of less than 3 inches annually. In the summer, the average high soars to the high 80s. Summer nights cool down a bit, with average lows in the high 60s and low 70s. MCAS Cherry Point gets about 56 inches of rain annually, with the highest rainfall during summer and early fall. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. North Carolina is subject to tropical storms and hurricanes. For information on weather and emergency preparedness in North Carolina, visit the state's Department of Public Safety website. For MCAS Cherry Point destructive weather information, visit the base's website or call 1 (252) 466-3093.
Things to Do Around MCAS Cherry Point
MCAS Cherry Point and the surrounding region are home to beaches, historical sites, museums, art galleries, an aquarium, great restaurants and breweries, and shopping venues. On base, there are a multitude of recreational opportunities, including golfing, movies, paintball, swimming, zip-lining and more. Outside the gates, with the Crystal Coast nearby, there's no shortage of things to do. Get out and explore!Suggested Reads:
15 Of the Best Things to Do Near MCAS Cherry Point and 19 of the Best Restaurants Near MCAS Cherry Point
Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for MCAS Cherry Point at MyBaseGuide.
Conclusion
Moving to a new base comes with challenges, but MCAS Cherry Point is a great place to call home. Head to local hangouts, spend the day exploring the Crystal Coast and discover other area gems to experience everything this region and world-class base have to offer you during your time here.The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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