US Naval Academy
U.S. Naval Academy Relocation Information
Welcome to the U.S. Naval Academy
The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) is the prestigious undergraduate college of the U.S. Navy. Founded in 1850 and located in Maryland’s capital city, Annapolis, USNA’s program encompasses four years of academic instruction and additional summer training programs. USNA is a part of the Annapolis Area Naval Complex. It also includes the Naval Support Activity Annapolis and other tenant commands such as North Severn complex, the Chesapeake Bay Detachment in Randle Cliff, Maryland, and the Navy Operational Support Center in Baltimore.
Each year, about 4,500 midshipmen, or mids, choose among 25 majors, according to the USNA’s Blue and Gold Book. Upon completion of their four years, mids are awarded a Bachelor of Science, and they begin active duty service. The USNA faculty is made up of almost 600 officers and civilians. Military members teach alongside a civilian faculty who are scholars and leaders in their chosen fields. In addition, a cadre of officer doctorates, classified as Permanent Military Professors, bolster the faculty roster. It's common for Naval officers to rotate every two to three years at USNA as their duty station. The Military Personnel Division for the USNA is available to support all active duty, reserve officers, enlisted service members, and international officers serving the campus.
The U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, performs a flyover during a graduation and commissioning ceremony for the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 2015 in Annapolis, Md. Image via defense.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Naval Academy
1) Can we walk around and take a tour of the USNA campus?
Yes, the official USNA tours are highly regarded, and they're often full during popular holidays and campus events. The best place to start is the Visitor Center inside USNA Gate 1.
2) If stationed at the U.S. Naval Academy, where do families live?
USNA has multiple options for housing. Lincoln Military Housing operates privatized on-base housing. Off-base, many service members choose to live in Annapolis because of the convenient location and commute. Others choose nearby cities such as Severna Park, Pasadena, Crofton, and Arnold. Nearby Fort Meade NSA also has on-base housing, managed by Corvias.
3) What is the zip code for the U.S. Naval Academy?
The zip code for the U.S. Naval Academy is 21402. Nearby zip codes include 21401.
4) What is the BAH for the U.S. Naval Academy?
BAH for the U.S. Naval Academy ranges from $2,757 for E-1 to $3,546 for E-9 with dependents, and from $2,970 for O-1 to $4,134 for O-6 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
5) Where do kids attend school near the U.S. Naval Academy?
The public school system that encompasses Annapolis and nearby cities is Anne Arundel County School District. Many private schools are available in Annapolis, and a community favorite is the Naval Academy Primary School; however, it is not associated with USNA.
Military Installations Near U.S. Naval Academy:
Base Location and Information
Base Address:
121 Blake Road
Annapolis, 21402-5000
Annapolis is one of those cherished duty stations that has a pleasant dual personality. The USNA has a large influence on the city, and the citizens appreciate the Navy’s presence, but Annapolis holds its own as a charming coastal city with a small-town feel.
Established in 1649, Annapolis is the seat of Maryland’s government. It's also a prime target for tourist dollars all year round since it's the Sailing Capital of the U.S., despite arguments from locals in Newport, Rhode Island. Multiple bodies of water surround USNA. The campus is located on the banks of the Severn River and the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Nautical influences affect most occurrences— the nature of high tides and flood warnings, the pastimes of regattas and sailing lessons, and themes within everyday shopping and dining.
Not quite part of what is traditionally considered the National Capital Region (NCR), Annapolis is about 35 miles east of Washington, DC, and 30 miles south of Baltimore. Dual military couples who hope to serve near their spouse stationed at USNA often look to nearby military installations such as Fort Meade NSA or farther south into the Washington, DC, area. The following are some military installations close to the U.S. Naval Academy:
Commuting into the DC area is a challenge for those living at USNA. A good day of commuting is a 45-minute drive each way, but most days this time frame will exceed an hour. US 50 is the major roadway that commuters use to enter Washington, DC. US 50 also allows beach traffic to flow, or to stand still, depending on traffic. During the warm months, “beach traffic” is a force to be reckoned with. This is especially true when heading over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. It leads to Atlantic Ocean destinations like the widely popular Ocean City, Maryland, and nearby neighboring beaches in Delaware: Bethany, Rehoboth, and Lewes.
Arrival Lodging
Navy Getaways Annapolis
2 Truxtun Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
410-293-3906
Navy Lodge Annapolis
NSA Annapolis
347 Kinkaid Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
410-757-7900
U.S. Naval Academy Annapolis Housing
Navy Family Housing Office
349 Kinkaid Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
410-293-9731/9739
Liberty Military Housing
349 Kinkaid Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
410-349-1740
USNA service members have the option of investigating private military housing through Liberty Military Housing. They operate nine communities that offer nearly 300 housing choices. These choices include historic properties, modern homes, and apartment living. Some housing is on USNA property, but other communities are off-base. Distances off-base are less than five miles. Service members should read over each of the community descriptions and locations when deciding where to live.
U.S. Naval Academy Off-Base Housing
Image from Annapolis.gov
Base Search
City Search
Downtown Annapolis is a picturesque community with a strong presence of colonial architecture in both the homes and public buildings. Those who chose to live downtown near the water couldn’t ask for a better location or amenities. However, they will deal with the downfalls of older building maintenance, power outages, and water-associated problems such as flood damage from high tides, hurricanes, and Nor’easters.
Before deciding on a home, service members should check on the origin of the water supply. Water sources depend on the neighborhood. Some use public water utilities, while others use septic tanks and wells. Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are common in this region. Be aware of their fees before signing a contract, including rental homes.
Not too far from USNA is the more recently developed portion of Annapolis, the commercial center. Shopping centers, food outlets, and plenty of entertainment destinations are available if service members prefer to live in an area with homes that are more modern than those found in downtown Annapolis. Severna Park is one of the most popular locations for USNA service members with families because of the public schools for school-aged children. The city is valued for its quaint streets, a strong community feel, and access to multiple beachfront locations. Crofton, Arnold, and Pasadena share similar qualities to Severna Park, and families often find homes in these towns to suit their needs.
Moving west from USNA, military families also find homes in Odenton (near the closest MARC station, which accesses the DC Metro and Amtrak railways) and Gambrills. These cities work particularly well if dual military couples find themselves split between USNA, Fort Meade NSA, some stations within the Annapolis Area Naval Complex, and possibly farther south into Washington, DC.
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U.S. Naval Academy 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.
The U.S. Naval Academy is in Annapolis, MD. Some sample U.S. Naval Academy BAH rates for zip code 21402:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,757
- E-1 without dependents: $2,280
- E-9 with dependents: $3,546
- E-9 without dependents: $3,075
- O-1 with dependents: $2,970
- O-1 without dependents: $2,586
- O-6 with dependents: $4,134
- O-6 without dependents: $3,417
U.S. Naval Academy Weather & Climate
USNA’s weather patterns include a bit of 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, and a colorful, temperate, short-lived fall. The average temperatures range from the 30s in January and February to the mid to high 90s in July and August.
U.S. Naval Academy Area Schools
Military families who are looking for public education in Annapolis, and the surrounding areas, are zoned for Anne Arundel County schools. The district is large, and it serves approximately 75,000 students enrolled in Pre-K through grade 12.
Families interested in private school education are provided information through the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools. The Homeschool Co-op for NSA Annapolis is a central place to connect with other homeschool families near USNA.
The School Liaison Officer assigned to USNA also has additional resources to help families choose between public, private, and homeschooling options.
The following are some helpful links for more information about children’s schooling:
Support for Military and Families
Because Annapolis is near large cities and military installations, there is ample support for military and their families. Private and public programs originating in the NCR often extend up to Annapolis. Opportunities are provided by recognizable names such as the Military Officers Association of America, National Military Family Association, Hiring Our Heroes, and Blue Star Families.
Nearby, Anne Arundel Community College and Howard Community College campuses are robust higher education systems that work directly with the military community. The University of Maryland system also offers higher education through undergraduate and graduate programs.
Image from media.defense.gov Terri Moon Cronk Veterans Find Camaraderie at Annapolis Sailing Clinic
Some more helpful links:
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More Area Info
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Base Address:
121 Blake Road
Annapolis
,
21402-5000