Joint Base Anacostia Bolling
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Relocation Information
Welcome to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) is the center of Air Force and Navy ceremonial support and home to nearly 50 military and federal agencies, including the Military Airlift Command (MAC), the Air Force’s 11th Wing, Naval Installations Command, the Defense Media Activity-Navy, and serves as headquarters to the Defense Intelligence Agency. JBAB is located in Southeast Washington, D.C., on the eastern banks of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.
Rich in military history, JBAB’s conception was as an Army airfield in 1917. Officially, JBAB was established in October 2010 in accordance with congressional legislation based on the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). The legislation ordered the consolidation of Naval Support Facility Anacostia and Bolling Air Force Base, which were separate, but adjoining military installations. JBAB became one of 12 joint bases formed throughout the country as a result of the 2005 BRAC.
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordyn Fetter.
JBAB covers 905 acres in southeast Washington D.C. The Washington Navy Yard lies across the harbor, just north of the Joint facility off of I-295. The city of Alexandria, VA, lies southwest of base. These areas are all on the District of Columbia side of the D.C. and Maryland state line. Near to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling on the Maryland side and south of the base are the cities of Glass Manor, Forest Heights and Oxon Hill, all under 4 miles from the base. East of the base are Hillcrest Heights, Silver Hill, Suitland, and District Heights, MD, all less than 10 miles from the base. Heading south of the base in Maryland, you reach Accokeek and Waldorf at about 12 and 18 miles distance. Across the bay and to the northwest in the northern Virginia/D.C. area are Reagan National Airport and The Pentagon at around 8 miles distance.
Members of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Muncy.
Moving to the Washington, D.C., area? Click below to download your free ebook:
Frequently Asked Questions About Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
1) Where do the families who are stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling live?
Commuting is challenging around JBAB, and traffic is a heavy consideration for relocation. Families choose cities in Maryland towards Fort Meade and sometimes commute south of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to maximize real estate dollars. Immediately outside of JBAB’s gates lie the most common cities to live in: Alexandria, Arlington, Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast, D.C.
It's very common for dual military families to choose a city that is between their two different duty stations to equal out the commute times. Drivable options around JBAB include the Washington Navy Yard, the Pentagon, Fort Meade NSA, Walter Reed, Joint Base Andrews, and Fort Belvoir.
2) Where do the kids living on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling go to school?
Military families who prefer public school are part of the District of Columbia Public Schools and Public Charter Schools. JBAB is also locally known as a hub for home schooling education. Because of JBAB’s central location in Washington, D.C., there is a significant private school presence.
3) What does the term DMV mean?
JBAB is located in the collective area known as the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia). The term National Capital Region (NCR) is also used to describe JBAB’s location within the federal government's sphere of influence in and around Washington, D.C.
4) What is the zip code for the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling?
The zip code for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is 20032. Other nearby zip codes include 20375, 20745, 22320, and 20748.
5) What is the BAH for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling?
BAH for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling ranges from $2,811 for E-1 to $3,882 for E-9 with dependents, and from $2,943 for O-1 to $4,293 for O-7 with dependents. See housing section for more info.
Base Location and Information
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Military Installations in the D.C. area
Accessible from I-95, I-395, or I-495, JBAB’s central location on I-295 allows military commuters the chance to set up homes within Washington, D.C., neighborhoods as well as locations just miles away over the state lines of Maryland and Virginia. For travel purposes, Reagan National Airport is about five miles away, but across the Potomac River. The quickest route to the airport is through Washington, D.C. Access through Alexandria, Virginia, is also an option.
The airport is a hub for Amtrak trains as well as Metro trains and buses. The closest Metro train stop is Anacostia, on the Green Line.
The Anacostia and Potomac rivers provide traditional entertainment activities such as dining and shopping, but add in the unique aspect of water transportation and activities. River cruises, stand up paddle boards, water taxis, and private boat rentals all have their place up and down the banks of the rivers.
Because of its ideal Mid-Atlantic location and distinct seasons, JBAB and surrounding area residents have access to year-round adventures in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland that include river, bay, and ocean excursions, cultural activities of every kind and sporting events, not to mention government and historic buildings to tour.
You won’t get bored living near Washington, D.C.! You’ll find something for everyone: festivals, museums, food, wine, and sports. Major events like the Cherry Blossom Festival, Marine Corps Marathon, and National Christmas Tree Lighting require advance planning. Remember, tourists visit from across the globe to see the sights, so you’ll always have company touring the sites.
Read local publications like the Washingtonian, The D.C. Patch, and military family Facebook groups to stay up to date with activities. Like the pace in D.C., everything moves quickly. Realize that attractions like the iconic Smithsonian museums easily take weeks to explore. Plan well in advance for visits to the White House or Pentagon.
Those who live near JBAB also find plenty of recreation outlets, within a 2-3 hour drive in neighboring West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Arrival Lodging
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
12 Bowline Green, S.W.
Building 4412
Washington, D.C. 20032-5000
202-563-6950
Navy Lodge
Joint Base Andrews
Lodging Office/Presidential Inn
1380 California Avenue
Andrews AFB, MD 20762
301-981-4614
Air Force Inns
Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall
Wainwright Hall
318 Jackson Ave.
Building 50
Fort Myer, VA 22211-1199
703-696-3576
703-696-3577
IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall - Historia
Fort Belvoir
9775 Gaillard Rd
Building 470
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
703-704-8600
1-877-711-TEAM
IHG Army Hotels Fort Belvoir
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Housing
Bolling Family Housing
Office: (888) 294-8338
Leasing: (888) 294-8338
Bolling Family Housing is operated by Hunt Military Community. The private company operates seven housing communities which includes 800 new, renovated, and traditional homes. Amenities include: walkable neighborhoods with quick access to parks, playgrounds, trails, bike paths, sports courts, and village centers.
Liberty Military Housing
Bellevue, Enlisted Housing Only
(202) 470-0507
Bellevue Housing, operated by Liberty Military Housing, is intended for occupancy by enlisted personnel, E1 to E9. Townhouse style living includes floor plans with a two- or three-bedroom layout. Community clubhouse, playgrounds, and neighborhood activities are a few of the features found near the neighborhoods.
JBAB Navy Housing Service Center
21 MacDill Blvd
Washington, DC 20032
Phone: (202) 404-1840
JBAB_Housing@navy.mil
JBAB Off-Base Housing
Base Search
- Homes for sale and houses for rent near Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Homes - JBAB Homes
City Search
Around JBAB, choosing an off-base home often comes down to ranking and balancing personal preferences as associated with budget, commute, and school accessibility. Your family’s priorities will determine the best location to search for a home.
In most cases, you can expect to pay premium prices for homes for sale and rent that are zoned for top schools or have very convenient commutes. Homes with larger property sizes and smaller price tags have longer commute times.
Commuting routes are challenging near JBAB, especially due to the rivers that divide access to Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Although many places of work and home destinations are less than 15 miles in distance, at peak traffic hours, it's not uncommon for drive times to measure beyond one hour and more. Washington, D.C.’s Metro train and bus service is a significant transportation source for the region.
Military families searching for homes should be aware that although stand alone single family homes are the most popular, townhouse, condo, and apartment living are all comparative options. For example, some neighborhoods only cater to those interested in town homes, and single family homes aren't available.
For military families arriving in the Washington, D.C. area, it’s highly recommended to consult a qualified real estate agent knowledgeable about rental properties and home sales in your desired area. It’s common for agents to be licensed in DC/MD/VA, but some choose only to work in one or two states or the District.
Washington, D.C., real estate can be a challenge for first-timers. Both property and money move quickly and often in cash transactions. Unless PCS’ing from other expensive locations such as San Diego or Hawaii, you’ll want to prepare savings accounts to adjust to rental and home buying costs.
Alexandria is one of the most popular cities for JBAB military families to find a home. Keep in mind that there are actually two Alexandrias. One is the City of Alexandria, and the second is Alexandria, Fairfax County. Other than the name, they are completely separate entities. Each has an independent governing and school system. This is particularly important to remember when reviewing school choices.
Download your free guide about the Alexandria area:
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JBAB BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is in Washington D.C. with many options to buy or rent. Some sample JBAB BAH rates for zip code 20032:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,811
- E-1 without dependents: $2,169
- E-9 with dependents: $3,882
- E-9 without dependents: $3,120
- O-1 with dependents: $2,943
- O-1 without dependents: $2,736
- O-7 with dependents: $4,293
- O-7 without dependents: $3,864
Area Weather & Climate
JBAB’s weather patterns include a little bit of just about every phenomenon: cold winters with an occasional blizzard, a blustery and wet spring season, very humid and hot summers, with the potential for hurricane residue from the coast, and a colorful but temperate and short lived fall season.
- Summer: July high is around 87 degrees.
- Winter: January low is around 28 degrees.
- Rain: About 43 inches of rain per year.
- Snow: About 14 inches of snow per year.
Get ready to go shopping! In and around the National Capital Region, you’re going to need all the gear, from shorts and bug spray to shovels and winter boots. The good news is that if a heat wave or cold front sets in, you can expect it to head out in a week or two.
Worth noting:
- Weather forecasters often use I-95 as a dividing line to describe transitioning weather.
- Areas north and west of Washington, D.C. take on weather from the Shenandoah Mountains.
- East of the city, weather is influenced by coastal weather patterns.
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Area Schools
JBAB kids are part of the District of Columbia Public Schools and Public Charter Schools. Their local Elementary/Middle school is Leckie, serving PK3-8th grade. Older kids are assigned to Hart Middle School and Ballou High School.
JBAB has access to one of the largest collections of charter schools in the country. The schools are free public charter schools and some have busing options. Enrollment into these programs is through the D.C. Common Lottery.
Learn Charter School Network, D.C. has been appointed the opportunity to open a new public charter school on JBAB. Eventually, the college prep school will educate children K-8, but the initial enrollment starts with PK-6. The opening date is scheduled for 2021 and will serve 50% military families stationed at JBAB and 50% D.C. families.
Parents choosing homeschool have a unique option to apply for enrollment in Friendship Charter School, a Washington, D.C. public online charter school. For all families who wish to homeschool, the District requires the form, “Intent to Homeschool,” which is due by August 15 for the upcoming school year. Because of JBAB’s location in Washington, D.C. there is a significant private school presence, including schools with close proximity to the historical Embassy Row in Washington, D.C. and in Georgetown.
JBAB School Information, which includes the Student Liaison Officer’s email, helps military families navigate the choices. The area around JBAB encompasses many diverse schooling options. Don’t forget to check baseline information with outlets such as Niche and Boards of Education for Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
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Support for Military and Families
The cardboard boats prove to be sturdy vessels as contestants race from one end of the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) pool to the
other during the annual JBAB Youth Center Cardboard Boat Regatta Race, Labor Day. Image via Eric Ritter.
There is much in the way of assistance for military families on and around JBAB. The Washington, D.C., area is inundated with entities that provide support systems of various types. From employment to education, and recreation, there is a group eager to share opportunities with military families. Some recognizable names include Military Officers Association of America, National Military Family Association, Hiring Our Heroes, and Blue Star Families.
JBAB is also exceptionally connected to helpful organizations, including the USO Metro and Fisher House. JBAB offers its own employment readiness and recreation programs through JB Anacostia Bolling 11th FSS.
More helpful links:
More JBAB Area Info
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Base Address:
20 MacDill Blvd #207 Washington, DC 20032
Washington, DC
,
20032