Naval Support Activity Monterey

Mission Statement

Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM) is a multi-function organization dedicated to: –Providing responsive, high quality base operations support to enable our tenants to accomplish their mission. Taking care of our employees and customers to enhance their quality of life as well as –being a responsible civic partner by building and nurturing effective relationships with local communities.

Vision Statement

Prepared for War.  Committed to Peace.

Currently there are approximately 87 staff (permanent Party), and approximately 8400 plus service members (students), attending NPS that consist of officers from the five U.S. uniformed services, officers from approximately 30 other countries and a small number of civilian employees. Monterey, county. Population 432,977 . Population changes often due to Military PCS.

Monterey County - estimated population is estimated at 436,251 as of 2024.

There is a large population of service members living in the Monterey area between the Navy, Army and Coast Guard Installations.

Approximately 1,900 plus students are currently attending Naval Postgraduate School. The student body consists of officers from the five U.S. Uniformed Services and approximately 30 other countries in addition to 87 permanent party staff members. Selection of officers for fully funded graduate education and is based upon outstanding professional performance as an officer, promotion potential and a strong academic background. The faculty the majority of which are civilians are drawn from a broad and diverse background of educational institutions and represents a prestigious group of scholars. Faculty and student interaction is high and recommended. Every class is taught directly by a faculty member, over 99% of whom have a Ph.D. Contact the Dean's Office at 831-656-2291 for more information on classes or go to the website at nps.edu.

Home to over 15 tenant commands, NSA Monterey provides primary support to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Navy Research Lab (NRL), and the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC). NPS is the largest producer of advanced graduate degrees for the Department of Defense and proudly graduates thousands every year from all services and from over 50 countries. NRL provides all scientific and weather modeling as well as atmospheric and aerosol studies. FNMOC provides the highest quality, most relevant and timely worldwide Meteorology and Oceanography support to U.S. and coalition forces from FNMOC’s 24x7 Operations Center in Monterey. NSA Monterey supports over 160 buildings which are located on more than 626 acres.

History

Before World War II one of the finest luxury hotels in North America, the Hotel Del Monte, occupied the present site of the Naval Postgraduate School. From the time railroad pioneer Charles Crocker first opened the hotel in June 1880, it was an immediate success. Fire completely destroyed the hotel in 1887, but the second Hotel Del Monte rose promptly at the same location and was more splendid than its predecessor. In the early morning of September 27, 1924, fire again devastated the central wooden structure of the hotel. Reconstruction was again immediate and the more modern building continued to make the Del Monte one of the showplaces of the world.

By this time, Samuel F.B. Morse, the president of the Del Monte Properties Company, had acquired the hotel and began developing the Del Monte as a “sports empire” where guests could enjoy playing golf, polo, tennis, swimming, yachting and deep-sea fishing. Coined “the most elegant seaside resort in the world,” the hotel played host to world leaders, dignitaries, American presidents, film stars and famous artists until 1942, when it was taken over by the U.S. Navy and used as a pre-flight school for aviators.

During World War II, Fleet Admiral Ernest King, chief of naval operations and commander-in-chief of both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, established a commission to review the role of graduate education in the Navy. By the end of the war, it had become apparent that the facilities of the Naval Postgraduate School at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, would be insufficient for the Navy’s future needs. In 1945, Congress passed legislation to make the school a fully-accredited, degree-granting graduate institution. Two years later, Congress authorized the purchase of the Hotel Del Monte and 627 acres of surrounding land for use as an independent campus for the school.

In December 1951, in a move virtually unparalleled in the history of academe, the Postgraduate School moved lock, stock and wind tunnel across the nation, establishing its current campus in Monterey, Calif. The coast-to-coast move involved 500 students, about 100 faculty and staff and thousands of pounds of books and research equipment. Rear Adm. Ernest Edward Herrmann supervised the move that pumped new vitality into the Navy's efforts to advance naval science and technology.

The main building of the former Hotel Del Monte - now named Herrmann Hall - houses the principal administrative offices of the Naval Postgraduate School. The academic quadrangle was built incrementally after the school officially opened for business in 1951. The most recent additions include the renovation of the library (more than doubling its usable space), the new academic building - Glasgow Hall, and the new Mechanical Engineering Building. In 2006, a $35 million renovation of the two wings of Herrmann Hall was completed, providing 140 new Bachelor Officers’ Quarters (BOQ) rooms for the school’s international officers and their families for temporary residency while they establish themselves in permanent living facilities. In 2009, the year the Naval Postgraduate School celebrates its centennial anniversary, Herrmann Hall will begin a series of renovations and refurbishments, restoring the building’s early 20^th century charm in a tribute to its historic past.

From Monterey Peninsula Airport it is an estimated (2.5 miles or 5 to 10 minutes)

1. Upon leaving the vicinity of Passenger Terminal from Monterey Airport, Olmstead Road bears to the right, away from runway.
2. Take first right onto Garden Road.
3. Take Garden Road westbound for approx. 2 miles to first stop light and make a left onto Mark Thomas Drive.
4. Proceed on Mark Thomas Drive for approx. mile to first traffic light.
5. Take a right onto Sloat Avenue.
6. Follow Sloat Avenue to NPS main gate.

Local Transportation

Government transportation is not furnished from any of the above airports to NPS. Taxi/shuttle service is available. Taxi - metered rates apply. Arrange for Monterey/Salinas shuttle service if you fly into SFO or SJO). Shuttle - Monterey/Salinas Groome Transportation call 831-373-7777.

What to do When You Arrive at the Front Gate?

Gate availability is subject to change for the most up to date information regarding gate closure please call the NPS Quarterdeck prior to arrival at 831-656-2442 or Gate Access at 831-656-7532, or visit https://cnrsw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NSA-Monterey/About/Installation-Guide/Gate-Hours/

From San Francisco areas it is (120 miles or approximately 2 hours depending on traffic.) San Jose is 72.3 ,miles and about 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on traffic.

• Take US Route 101 South to Prunedale.
• At Prunedale, take CA Route 156 (West) to CA Route 1 (South).
• Proceed on CA Route 1 (South) to Monterey.
• 4. Take the "Del Monte Avenue" exit.
• 5. Follow the signs to Del Monte Avenue and enter via the NPS main gate, located on Del Monte Avenue.

From Los Angeles and San Diego (335 miles or 5.5 hours)

• Take US Hwy 5 North to Sacramento.
• At Lost Hills, take CA Route 46 west to Paso Robles.
• At Paso Robles, take US Route 101 north to Salinas. At Salinas, take CA Route 68 west to Monterey.
• Follow 68 to Monterey... that is, stay left onto CA Route 1 (south).
• Immediately take the "Monterey Exit" off of CA Route 1 (south).
• Stay in the left-hand lane of the exit. Turn left at the first light... onto Aguajito Road.
• Follow Aguajito south to and take a left at Mark Thomas Drive (approx. mile).
• Follow Mark Thomas Drive and take a left onto Sloat Avenue.
• Follow Sloat Avenue to Del Monte Avenue.
• Turn right on Del Monte Avenue and enter via the NPS main gate.

The Monterey Peninsula Airport is the closest airport to the NPS and the Presidio of Monterey. Transportation from the airport to the installation is by rental car, public transportation, or taxi. The Monterey Peninsula Airport does not have USO facilities. Airports with USO lounges are the San Francisco International Airport and the Mineta-San Jose International Airport. The USO Lounge at the San Francisco International Airport is located on the mezzanine floor of the main terminal above the United Airlines ticket counters. It is open 24 hours daily. The USO Lounge at the Mineta-San Jose International Airport is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To NPS or DLI from Highway 1-South

The city of Monterey is approximately 117 miles south of San Francisco. You can approach Monterey from the north or south on Highway 1, but you won't make good time.

To NPS or DLI from the North via Highway 101

An alternate route to Monterey from the north is Highway 101 South to the Monterey Peninsula exit near Prunedale (Highway 156 West). This five-mile road leads to Highway 1 South and on to Monterey. You'll drive by Marina, Fort Ord and Seaside. Continue along Highway 1 to the Del Monte exit. Follow Del Monte until you approach the Fisherman's Wharf intersection. Move to the left and follow this route past Portola Plaza Hotel on your right until you can turn left onto Pacific Street. At next intersection. To DLI turn right on Franklin and follow it through the Franklin Street Gate. Taylor Hall building 616 will be the first building to your left after the stop sign inside the gate. Report there during duty hours or to Rasmussen Hall building 614 during non-duty hours. Rasmussen Hall will be the first large building to your right after the stop sign. If you are going to NPS take pacific street down to Aguajito follow that down to mark Thomas dr and turn left, at the light turn left onto Sloat and NPS will be on the right.

From East or Southeast via interstate 5-North

If you're approaching from the east or southeast, use Interstate 5 North. Follow I-5 to the Highway 152 West connection to Highway 156. Travel along Highway 156 to Prunedale, then by Marina, Fort Ord and Seaside into Monterey. Use the directions for approaching NPS or the Presidio following the alternate route from the north given above. If you need help please contact 831-656-3060.

 You will need Valid military credentials for access to all military instillations. Transit riders without credentials will be required to de-board before the security gate.  Naval Postgraduate School Travel Office Phone Number can be located at 831-656-2041 for the Commuter transit lines serving Naval Post Graduate School:

• Bus Line 20 Salinas/Monterey – NPS.
• MST Transit Center (Downtown Monterey) Line 20 - DLI transit 
• Bus Line 1 & 2 - Lighthouse Ave - Just outside Bolia Gate 

Presidio of Monterey
Naval Post Graduate School

Valid military credentials are required for access to all military bases. Transit riders without credentials will be required to deboard at a bus stop before the security gate. In some cases, the bus stop may be located miles before entry to the base.

For military pass information, please contact the Presidio of Monterey, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS) 831-242-3983, Bldg. 418.

Naval Postgraduate School Travel Office
(831) 656-2041
Purchase passes for Naval Postgraduate School (password required)

The phone number for the (OOD) Quarter deck is 831-656-2441

CDO's

NSAM: CDO@nps.edu 

Phone:831-223-1256 

NPS

Phone: 831-901-6649 

IWTC:

Phone: 831-760-0036

Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSA Monterey), home to Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) located in Monterey, California. If you need more information call the local Fleet and family support center at 831-656-3060 for further assistance.