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Cost of living is the amount of money an individual needs to maintain their standard of living. Cost of living includes basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation, clothing, taxes, entertainment, equipment, and education costs.
Bethesda and the surrounding National Capital Region area have a higher than the national average cost of living at 40%.
Tips on dealing with the costs encountered while living here are available through the Personal Financial Management program available at Military and Family Support Center.
Plan to be financially prepared prior to coming to the area. With proper planning and before you leave your losing command, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a financial counselor to assist in developing spending plans and to prepare a budget for your move.
Remember to fill out a travel voucher, keep records and receipts of all expenses incurred from the move.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number, and the numbers vary by worldwide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included.
Telephone Access for NSA Bethesda
DSN 312-295-XXXX if commercial number is 301-295-XXXXDSN 312-285-XXXX if commercial number is 301-319-XXXXDSN 312-469-XXXX if commercial number is 301-400-XXXX
Information Desk is located in Tranquility Hall, Bldg. 62 and can be reached by dialing 301-400-0200. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Information Desk can be reached by dialing 301-295-4000.
For a medical emergency please dial 9-1-1.
For after hours, evenings, and weekend emergency assistance, contact the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337.
Mission Statement: Naval Support Activity Bethesda provides customer-focused installation management and base operating support to our tenant activities in their pursuit of excellence. We partner in healing, wellness, research, and education.
Vision Statement: As an installation, we create an environment that enables patients to heal, staff to thrive and guests to feel at home.
Naval Support Activity Bethesda's history began with a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendation that resulted in congressional legislation ordering the consolidation of National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
With National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center being located in such close proximity to each other, military and congressional leaders recognized the opportunity to reduce duplication of efforts and facilities requirements; better utilization of facilities and infrastructure and consolidation and optimization of existing and future service contract requirements, capable of generating financial savings.
Years of planning, followed by a gradual transition of installation management functions performed by civilian, military and contract personnel at culminated in the smooth transition of base operating support management under a single, Navy-led joint military command.
Since the BRAC legislation was enacted, Army and Navy planners, support personnel and leaders steadfastly worked to ensure a smooth transition to Naval Support Activity Bethesda. The transition was completed on August 27, 2011, when Walter Reed Army Medical Center closed after more than 100 years of service and integrated with National Navy Medical Center, forming the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. While keeping patient care and safety at the forefront, the new facility underwent extensive construction and renovation projects to accommodate the expanded services and a growing number of patients and personnel. For more history visit Naval Support Activity Bethesda https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/ndw/installations/nsa_bethesda.html.
Naval Support Activity Bethesda has approximately 12,000 active duty and civilian employees.
Naval Support Activity Bethesda is located in Montgomery County, Maryland which is Northwest of Washington, D.C. and is situated inside the inner loop of the Capital Beltway.
As of July 1, 2021 United States Census Bureau population estimates of Montgomery County is 1,054,827.
United States Census Bureau April 1, 2020 population estimate Bethesda CDP, Maryland is 68,056.
Naval Support Activity Bethesda is responsible for providing installation support to 12,000 Service Members, Family Members, and civilian employees; approximately 42 tenant units, including Joint Task Force national Capital Region-Medical, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and other Department of Defense and federal agencies.
With the nation’s capital at its heart, Naval District Washington is the Quarterdeck of the Navy. It encompasses seven bases and several smaller naval facilities. It is the oldest naval region in the United States and includes the Navy Yard, the oldest U.S. naval installation.
Welcome to Naval Support Activity Bethesda, located in Montgomery County just north of the Nation's Capital in Bethesda, Maryland.
We are home of the world renowned Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the flagship center of military medicine, and Uniformed Services University, dedicated to training medical professionals for careers in the Department of Defense and the Public Health Service.
Click here for area map. Click here for base map.
There are three Airports that service the Washington, D.C. area - Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI), Dulles International Airport, and Reagan National Airport. Dulles International Airport is the most convenient to the base. There are not any base shuttles that run from the airports. Reagan National does have a Metro Station within the airport. The Metro can be taken from there to the Medical Center Metro Station.
Dulles International Airport
Driving:Drive east on the Dulles Airport Access Road for approximately 13 miles. Exit onto I-495 North, the Capital Beltway, towards Maryland on the inner loop of the Beltway. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave. towards Bethesda. Get in left lane. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Reagan National Airport
Driving:From the Airport, exit north on George Washington Parkway. After about 2 miles, you will see but do not take a left exit for Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery. Be sure to bear right and continue on GW Parkway, which follows the Potomac River on the Virginia side, for approximately 12 miles. From right lane, exit onto I-495, Capital Beltway, heading north to Maryland. You will be on the inner loop of the Beltway. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave., towards Bethesda. Get in left lane. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Using METRO (subway):Take Yellow Line towards Mt Vernon Square. Exit at Gallery Place METRO station. Take Red Line towards Grosvenor or Shady Grove. Exit at Medical Center METRO. At top of escalator, turn right and cross Wisconsin Ave. Show ID at guard stations. Approximately 35 minutes.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
Driving:Follow the airport access road, I-195 to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Drive south on the Parkway for approximately 18 miles to I-495 West (right), the Capital Beltway towards Silver Spring/Bethesda for approximately 12 miles. You will be on the outer loop of the Beltway. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave./Rockville Pike. As you exit from the Beltway, stay in right lane and immediately bear left at light to loop under and south on Rt. 355 towards Bethesda. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Directions Driving to Naval Support Activity Bethesda from the North:
Frederick, MD: South on I-270 for approximately 24 miles. Between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. observe the left HOV-2 lane that starts at Exit 8, Shady Grove Rd. Where I-270 divides into "spurs," take the left spur to I-495 East towards College Park/Silver Spring. (Do not take the far left lane which is the HOV access to I-495 South to Washington/Virginia.) After approximately 2 ¼ miles, from the left lane, exit onto Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave. towards Bethesda. Get into left lane. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center . At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Baltimore, MD: From I-695, the Baltimore Beltway, or from the Harbor Tunnel or Francis Scott Key Bridge - Drive south on I-95 for approximately 22 miles or on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway for approximately 20 miles to I-495 West, the Capital Beltway. Head west (right) towards Silver Spring/Bethesda for approximately 9 miles from I-95 or 12 miles from B/W Parkway. You will be on the outer loop of the Beltway. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave./Rockville Pike. As you exit from the Beltway, stay in right lane and immediately bear left at light to loop under and south on Rt. 355 towards Bethesda. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center . At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
From Annapolis and points East: Drive west on Rt. 50 , John Hanson Highway. Exit right onto I-495 North, the Capital Beltway towards Baltimore/Silver Spring, on the outer loop of the Beltway. After approximately 20 miles, take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave./Rockville Pike. As you exit from the Beltway, stay in right lane and immediately bear left at light to loop under and south on Rt. 355 towards Bethesda. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center . At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Directions Driving to Naval Support Activity Bethesda from the South:
Portsmouth/Norfolk: Follow I-64 West towards Richmond for approximately 75 miles. Take Exit 20, I-295/US-60 exit - towards Washington/Rocky Mt, NC. Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Merge onto I-295 North for approximately 13 miles. Take Exit 43 to I-95 North for approximately 85 miles. Take Exit 170B to I-495 North - towards Tysons Corner for approximately 20 miles. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave. towards Bethesda. Get in left lane. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Other points South: North on I-95. Take Exit 170B to I-495 North - towards Tysons Corner for approximately 20 miles. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave. towards Bethesda. Get in left lane. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center . At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
From I-66 and points West: Drive east on I-66. Exit onto I-495 North, the Capital Beltway, towards Maryland on the inner loop of the Beltway. Take Exit 34, Rt. 355 South, Wisconsin Ave. towards Bethesda. Get in left lane. Cross Cedar Lane intersection; at first median crossing (no light), turn left into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. At the guard station, show ID. From here you will be directed to parking.
Shuttle Service
WRNMMC Shuttle Service permanently discontinued as of February 28, 2022 due to low patient ridership.
Parking and Commuter Information
WMATAwmata.com/service/parkingVanpool optionswmata.com/service/regional-transportation/vanpools.cfmPark and Ridecommuterconnec.wpengine.com/park-ride-lots-in-the-metropolitan- washington-baltimore-regions/NSA Bethesda Commuter Line301-400-CARS (2277)
PARKINGParking is limited on NSA Bethesda. There are two patient parking garages located adjacent to the medical center. Staff parking is limited, by permit only, and there may be a waitlist. New staff may not be able to park on base upon arrival and should plan accordingly. There is no open parking on the installation. Parking is strictly enforced. Public parking in downtown Bethesda is also an option. Staff can park in these areas and ride the Metro to the Medical Center Station.
Additional cost of parking in Bethesda:Monthly = $150On-Street Parking=$2.25 per hour Surface Lot Parking=$1.50 per hour Garage Parking = $1 to $1.50 per hour
*The parking facility at the Grosvenor - Strathmore Metro Station on the Red Line is only one stop from the Medical Center Station.
METRO RAIL STATION PARKINGParking is available at 44 metro rail stations. The list of metro rail stations and the daily costs for parking can be found on the WMATA website. The cost of parking is not included in the NCR Transit Fringe Benefit.
PARK AND RIDE LOTSPark and Ride lots are located throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region. In most cases, parking is free, and there is a connection to the Metrorail via buses that can be paid for using the Transit Benefit Program. For Park and Ride lots in the Metropolitan Washington Region (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia), please review the Park and Ride finder website.
CARPOOL/VANPOOL COMMUTER ASSISTANCEParking designated for carpools spots are located in: Bldg. 17 – Level 1Bldg. 54Bldg. 32 - Level 3Contractors are also eligible for these spots. For more information or assistance in planning your commute, contact 301-319-3818.
SECURITY/BASE ACCESSStaff may request access for guests by sending an email to: usn.bethesda.nsabethesdamd.mbx.nsab-access@ mail.mil. For weekday visits (Mon-Fri), requests must be made no later than 1500, three business days prior. Upon arrival, guest(s) should tell gate sentries which event they are here to attend or which company they are with. They must present a valid REAL ID ACT- compliant or other form of valid photo identification. Parking on base is extremely limited; if guests will be driving, please make arrangements for their parking. All weekend requests must be in no later than 1500 of the preceding Friday. To reach the security department for emergencies, dial 777 from an on-base phone or 301-295-0999 from a landline. For non-emergencies, call 301-295-1246.
MASS TRANSIT FRINGE BENEFITS (MFTB)MTFB is available to civilian and active duty staff. This is in addition to their current pay, up to $270 per month for their personal commuting costs using mass transit. Mass Transit Fringe Benefits can be applied to rail, bus or approved vanpools, but not parking costs. Online applications are available at: www.whs.mil/mass-transportation-benefit-program
When applying for the benefit online, use the following organizational codes:• Navy Active Duty/Navy Civilian = N-18 BUMED• Army Active Duty = WRNMMC (Army Active Duty)• DoD Civilian = DHA-NCR MD-WRNMMC-DHA-NCRMD-Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
To view additional transportation options, click here or https://cnic.navy.mil/NSABGateInfo.
Contact the Transportation Officer at 301-319-3818 with any questions or comments.
The Information Desk is located in Tranquility Hall, Bldg. 62 and can be reached by dialing 301-400-0200. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Information Desk can be reached by dialing 301-295-4000.