Check-in Procedures

Military personnel reporting for duty at Fort Detrick must report to the Housing Office before seeking off-post rental housing. The Housing Office is located at 1520 Freedman Drive Room 226. The gaining unit is responsible for assigning adequate space to the single soldiers in pay grades E-1 to E-5. Customer service hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. through 4 p.m. for in-processing.

All personnel reporting to Fort Detrick must in-process through the USAG Fort Detrick Army Community Service Relocation Assistance Program office 301-619-6364. This should not be confused with the Household Goods (inbound and outbound) office which is now administered by the Fort Meade Transportation Office which has assumed responsibility for Fort Detrick’s transportation services until further notice.

Fort Meade Contact Information:

• Phone: 520-706-8613, Option 1
• Email: usarmy.meade.406-afsb-lrc.mbx.personal-property-group-box@army.mil

Single soldiers in pay grade E-1 to E-5 are required to provide orders and duty telephone number for in-processing. Soldiers requiring Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing must also have a current within 60 days end-of-month Leave and Earnings Statement.

Army Personnel:

Report to your new unit and be met by your sponsor. After hours arrivals should report to the staff duty non-commissioned officer at 1532 Porter Street to sign in. After reporting to your unit you must come to the Military Personnel Division located in the Community Support Center 1520 Freedman Drive Room 121 to pick up the Installation In-processing Checklist. In-processing is conducted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. however on Thursdays MPD doesn't open till 12 p.m. for in-processing. No appointment is required. The sponsor is responsible for escorting the new arrival to the various agencies for in-processing. When reporting to MPD the soldier should bring their permanent-change-of-station orders and their DA 31 Leave Form.

Navy Personnel

Navy personnel should report to the Naval Medical Logistics Command at 1681 Nelson Street upon arrival for in-processing.

National Center for Medical Intelligence Military Members.

National Center for Medical Intelligence Military members should in-process at the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center's Military Personnel Office 1607 Porter Street upon arrival.

Civilian Personnel should report to their direct supervisor at their assigned duty station.

Fort Detrick does not have a guest house on post and statements of non availability are not required. Be sure to make reservations for temporary lodging well in advance. More information can be found on the Fort Detrick website under housing office.

https://home.army.mil/detrick/my-fort/all-services/lodging

If you get married "en route," you must immediately report your marriage to your losing unit to ensure your family is on your orders and may travel with you. You must also report this to your gaining unit to request joint-spouse assignment consideration if you are both service members, as this is your best chance to be stationed together. You'll also need to collect the necessary documents, including the certified marriage certificate, and report to a DEERS office to enroll your spouse for benefits and to update your marital status in the finance office to receive entitlements. Finally, you must enroll your spouse in TRICARE to provide them with health coverage.

Before Arriving at Your New Duty Station

1. Notify your gaining unit: Contact the nearest installation's Military Personnel Section (MPS) Customer Service Element to submit an application letter for joint-spouse assignment consideration.
2. Gather Documents: Collect an official, certified copy of your marriage certificate. This is different from the wedding license you signed at the ceremony. You will also need your and your spouse's birth certificates and Social Security cards.

Upon Arrival at Your New Duty Station

1. Enroll in DEERS: Go to the nearest DEERS office to enroll your spouse and add them to the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
2. Update your marital status: Report to the finance office to update your marital status.
3. Apply for TRICARE: Use the MilConnect website to enroll your spouse in TRICARE, military health insurance.

Important Considerations

• PCS Entitlements: To receive dependent PCS entitlements, you typically need to be married before the day your official orders take effect.
• Join-Spouse Assignment Consideration: You must apply for joint-spouse assignment consideration as soon as possible after your marriage while en route, or you risk being deemed ineligible for consideration once you've signed into your new locations.
• Family Care Plan: If you are in a dual-military marriage and have children, you are required to have a family care plan on file to ensure your children's well-being during periods of separation.