Fort Detrick
Fort Detrick Relocation Information
Welcome to Fort Detrick
Located in Frederick, Maryland, the namesake of Fort Detrick comes from Frederick Louis Detrick, a Maryland native who served as a US Army flight surgeon in WWI. He later served in the Maryland National Guard, and he was a surgeon at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. The Fort itself has contributed to scientific breakthroughs and medical solutions for the armed forces.
Today, the US Army Garrison Fort Detrick supports multiple military and federal agencies: including the Department of War, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services.
Their website states that Fort Detrick supports all four military services, and the Major Department of the Army mission partners include Medical Research and Development Command and the 21st Signal Brigade. Its primary missions include biomedical research and development, medical logistics and materiel management, and global medical communications support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Detrick
1. How can I find lodging or housing near Fort Detrick?
This base offers limited on-post housing, and it does not offer arrival lodging. Many service members choose to live off base in nearby neighborhoods using their BAH. Learn more about homes for sale and houses for rent in the off-post housing section.
2. What organizations work on the installation?
Fort Detrick is not a large combat troop installation, like many Army posts. Instead, these organizations conduct biomedical research, infectious disease research, medical logistics, and health-related defense programs. Organizations on the installation include:
- US Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC)
- Army Medical Logistics Command
- Naval Medical Research Command
- Naval Medical Logistics Command
- Defense Health Agency organizations
- A Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient clinic
3. What cities and towns are near Fort Detrick?
Fort Detrick is in Frederick, MD. Nearby towns include Walkersville, Middletown, Urbana Mount Airy, and Thurmont. Larger cities within a short drive of the post include Hagerstown, Gaithersburg, Leesburg, and Gettysburg.
4. What is the zip code for Fort Detrick?
Addresses may vary depending on the specific building on post. The zip code for Fort Detrick is 21702.
5. What is the BAH for Fort Detrick?
The BAH for Fort Detrick ranges from $2,466 for E-1 to $3,345 for E-9 with dependents, and from $2,733 for O-1 to $3,864 for O-7 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
Post Location and Information
Fort Detrick Address
1520 Freedman Drive
Fort Detrick, MD 21702
Fort Detrick is in Frederick, Maryland. The area is considered a small town that’s quickly growing as an outer suburb of the DC metro area. Locals get a suburban environment with access to plenty of amenities. There are plenty of historic homes in the downtown area, as well as newer developments and townhomes in nearby communities.
The post is near the intersection of several regions, including Western Maryland, Northern Virginia, South-Central Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. For those living in Frederick and working on-post, commute times are short. Many nearby neighborhoods are within a 10 to 30-minute drive. When driving in the DMV area, towards DC and Bethesda, heavy traffic congestion is often a problem.
Nearby Bases
Walter Reed Medical Center
Fort Meade NSA
US Coast Guard Yard
Arrival Lodging
Fort Detrick does not offer on-post temporary lodging. Service members and their families frequently look for nearby hotels if needed.
Fort Detrick Housing
Photo from detrickhomes.com
Fort Detrick offers limited on-post housing that is privatized and managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. Options include townhomes and single-family homes for military families. There are four neighborhoods, including Catoctin View, Fort Detrick Family Housing, Glick Bullene, and Monocacy Meadows.
Their website states that Fort Detrick Family Housing offers two, three, and four-bedroom floor plans that feature a patio, full kitchen, and exterior storage. The community is also near the Child Development Center, Old Farm gate, multiple playgrounds, and recreational trails.
6000 Ditto Avenue
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: (240)379-6410
Fort Detrick Off-Post Housing
Photo by ghornephoto from Getty Images Signature via Canva.com
Since Fort Detrick is a smaller research-focused installation, many service members live off base in Frederick, MD. Some popular areas include Ballenger Creek or Clover Hill for their short commutes and family-friendly suburban feel, or Downtown Frederick for its mix of historic charm and urban amenities. Urbana is farther away from post, and has a higher cost, but it has top-rated schools and amenities with newer homes.
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Fort Detrick BAH
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a US-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.
Fort Detrick is in Frederick, MD. Sample Fort Detrick rates for zip code 21702:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,466
- E-1 without dependents: $2,016
- E-9 with dependents: $3,345
- E-9 without dependents: $2,871
- O-1 with dependents: $2,733
- O-1 without dependents: $2,247
- O-7 with dependents: $3,864
- O-7 without dependents: $3,291
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Area Weather and Climate
The area surrounding Fort Detrick has a moderate climate with four distinct seasons. The spring has a high amount of precipitation, and temperatures can be unpredictable, from colder fronts and occasional snow to warmer, sunny days in the 70s. Summers are often humid with the highs reaching the 90s, and afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Fall has much milder temperatures and more stable weather. There’s less humidity and pleasant foliage. Winters near Frederick, MD, are cold with occasional snowfall, but the weather isn’t as extreme as in more northeastern states.
Fort Detrick Area Schools
There are no DoDEA schools on post at Fort Detrick. School-aged children residing in Frederick, MD, will attend Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS). There are around 69 schools that are a part of FCPS, and schools are zoned based on the family’s home address.
For families considering private education, Private School Review is a helpful resource for researching local options. Those interested in homeschooling should adhere to the regulations outlined on the Maryland State Department of Education website. For more assistance and information with local schools, contact Fort Detrick’s School Liaison Officer (SLO).
Support for Military and Families
There is on-post support for service members and their families through Fort Detrick’s MWR.
It offers some of the following services and amenities:
- Child Development Center (CDC)
- School Age Center (SAC)
- Youth Programs and youth sports & fitness
- RV Park & Family Campground
- Fitness centers, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a driving range
- Pet Kennel and Doggy Daycare
Fort Detrick also has the Army Community Service (ACS), which facilitates multiple programs including the Employment Readiness program (ERP), the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), the New Parent Support Program, and Relocation Readiness Program.
Things To Do Near Fort Detrick
- Historic Downtown Frederick has restaurants, boutiques, breweries, and seasonal farmers' markets all within walking distance of each other.
- Carroll Creek Linear Park is an urban park running through downtown Frederick. There’s public art along landscaped walkways that surround the restored creek.
- The National Museum of Civil War Medicine has five galleries with exhibits from the Civil War Era located in Frederick, MD. It highlights how wartime challenges advance medicine, logistics, and humanitarian care.
- Catoctin Mountain Park offers nearby hiking, overlooks, and camping managed by the National Park Service in Thurmont, MD.
Base Address:
810 Schreider St #100, Frederick, MD 21702
Fort Detrick
,
21702-5016