Veterans & Military Resources in Anne Arundel County

Military Installations & Communities

Major Military Installations

Naval Academy (Annapolis):

Basic Facts:

Location: 110 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21402
Phone: 410-293-0111
Website: www.usna.edu
Population: ~4,500 midshipmen, 600+ faculty/staff
Founded: 1845

Community Impact:

Major employer in Annapolis
Tourism and economic benefits
Strong military-civilian community ties
Many civilians work at Naval Academy

Housing:

OCS (Officer Career School): Some housing available
Bachelors: Limited, typically unmarried
Families: Most live off-base in Annapolis/neighborhoods
On-base housing: Apply through Housing Office

Fort George G. Meade:

Basic Facts:

Location: 1020 West Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755
Phone: 410-604-1000
Website: www.army.mil/emeade
Population: ~20,000+ military and civilian
Major tenants: NSA, US Army Criminal Investigation Command

Community:

Large military presence
On-base housing available
Commissary and exchange on-post
Military clinics and hospitals

Joint Base Andrews:

Basic Facts:

Location: 150 Andrew Avenue, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762
Phone: 301-981-2000
Website: www Andrews.af.mil
Population: ~10,000+ military and civilian
Major tenants: 11th Wing, Air Force One operations

Community:

Close to DC metropolitan area
On-base housing
Full base services
Military families common

Naval Air Station Patuxent River:

Location: Patuxent River, MD (nearby)
Phone: 410-342-1000
Website: www.naspatuxent.navy.mil

Military Housing Options

On-Base Housing:

Eligibility:

E-1 to E-9: Single family housing based on rank
O-1 to O-10: Officer housing available
Families: Priority given to dependents
Single: Bachelors housing available (limited)

Application Process:

Contact installation housing office
Submit housing application
Await assignment (can be lengthy)
Move-in inspection
Pay monthly housing allowance

Housing Allowments:

BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing): Tax-free
Amount: Based on rank, location, dependent status
2024 examples:
- E-5 with dependents: ~$2,000-2,400/month
- O-3 with dependents: ~$2,800-3,500/month
- Varies by ZIP code

Off-Base Housing:

Pros:

More housing options
Often newer construction
More community integration
No wait lists

Cons:

Higher costs in some areas
Less military community
Commute considerations
Security concerns

Popular Military Neighborhoods:

Near Naval Academy:

Annapolis: Historic, waterfront, expensive
West River: Quiet, families, mid-range
Edgewater: Waterfront, affordable
Gambrills: Shopping, convenient, mid-range

Near Fort Meade:

Glen Burnie: Diverse, affordable, good schools
Severn: Family-friendly, newer homes
Odenton: Growing, good value
Arnold: Military proximity, waterfront options

Near Joint Base Andrews:

Camp Springs: Close, affordable
Clinton: Family-friendly, newer
La Plata: More affordable, longer commute
Odenton: Good balance

Military Commissary & Exchange

Commissary:

Locations:

Fort Meade: 6950 Andrews Drive
Joint Base Andrews: 150 Andrew Avenue
Naval Academy: Limited, primarily military

Benefits:

~30% savings vs. civilian stores
Quality groceries
Pharmacy available
Military ID required

Exchange:

Locations:

Fort Meade: 6950 Andrews Drive
Joint Base Andrews: 150 Andrew Avenue
Severna Park: 701 Ritchie Highway
Glen Burnie: Various locations

Benefits:

No sales tax on purchases
Frequent sales
Online shopping
Military ID required

Military Support Organizations

Military & Family Readiness Centers:

Fort Meade MFR:

Location: On-post
Phone: 410-604-2918
Services: Family support, deployment help, financial counseling

Joint Base Andrews MFR:

Location: On-post
Phone: 301-981-3422
Services: Family readiness, deployment support

Naval Academy Family Center:

Location: Annapolis
Phone: 410-293-3698
Services: Midshipmen family support, spouse employment

Local Military Organizations

Maryland Veterans Association:

Website: www.marylandveterans.org
Services: Advocacy, support, resources
Contact: 410-990-9145

Military Family Support Group:

Local chapters: Throughout county
Services: Peer support, resources
Facebook: Search “Anne Arundel Military Families”

Spouse Employment:

TAP (Transition Assistance Program): Employment resources
Military Spouse Employment Partnership: Job networks
Local opportunities: Many employers hire spouses

VA Benefits & Services

VA Health Care System

VA Medical Center:

Maryland VA Healthcare System:

Location: Baltimore (serves Anne Arundel)
Phone: 410-597-6400
Website: www.md.vahealthcare.org

Services:

Primary care
Specialty care
Mental health
Pharmacy
Emergency services (refer to VA)

Eligibility:

Honorably discharged veterans
Service requirements vary by priority group
Income may affect eligibility

Enrollment:

Apply online: www.va.gov/health-care/apply
Call: 1-877-222-8387
In-person: Local VA facility
Mail: Application form

VA Priority Groups:

Group 1-2: Service-connected disabilities, PRMI
Group 3-8: Income-based, other factors

TRICARE Health Insurance

TRICARE East (covers Maryland):

Plans Available:

TRICARE Prime:

Enrollment: Required for active duty
Cost: No cost for active duty, small fee for Guard/Reserve
Primary Care Manager: Required
Referrals: Needed for specialists
Best for: Active duty, families wanting managed care

TRICARE Select:

Enrollment: Optional
Cost: Minimal fees
Primary Care: Choose any TRICARE provider
Referrals: Not required
Best for: Active duty families, Guard/Reserve

TRICARE for Life:

Eligibility: Medicare-eligible retirees
Secondary to Medicare: Covers gaps
Cost: Medicare Part B premium required

TRICARE Reserve Select:

Eligibility: Guard/Reserve members
Cost: Monthly premium (~$200-400)
Coverage: Same as TRICARE Select

TRICARE Young Adult:

Eligibility: Adult children
Cost: Premium-based
Coverage: Full TRICARE benefits

TRICARE Resources:

Website: www.tricare.mil
Phone: 1-800-444-5445
Customer Service: 24/7 support

Enrollment & Benefits

Benefits Enrollment:

New to Service:

Enroll in TRICARE: Immediate
ID card: Get DEERS enrollment
Dependents: Enroll spouse/children
Health screening: Required within 60 days

New to Area:

Choose PCP: Find in-network provider
Update address: Notify TRICARE
Get new ID: Update with address
Emergency: Know how to access care

VA Benefits Enrollment:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Review discharge papers (DD-214)
Check service requirements
Consider service-connected disabilities

Step 2: Apply

Online: www.va.gov/health-care/apply
Mail: VA Form 10-10EZ
In-person: Local VA facility

Step 3: Provide Documentation

DD-214 (discharge papers)
Service records
Medical records (if applying for disability)
Income documentation

GI Bill Benefits

Post-9/11 GI Bill:

Benefits Include:

Tuition: Full public in-state tuition
Housing: Monthly stipend (~$2,200-2,600/month)
Books: $1,000/year
Relocation: $500/month (if moving)
Valid: 15 years after separation

Eligibility:

90+ days active duty after 9/11
Honorable discharge
Varies by service length

Using GI Bill in Maryland:

Public universities: Full tuition covered
Community colleges: Full tuition
Vocational training: Approved programs
Private schools: Up to $26,381.35/year (2024 rate)

Transfer Benefits:

Transfer to dependents: If eligible
Requirements: Service commitment
Process: Through military separation

VA Home Loans

VA Loan Benefits:

No down payment: Full financing
No PMI: Private mortgage insurance
Competitive rates: Typically below market
Limited closing costs: VA restrictions
No prepayment penalty: Pay anytime

Eligibility:

Service requirements: Varies by era
Discharge: Must be honorable
Certificate of Eligibility: Required

VA Loan Limits:

No limit: If qualified (with income)
Conforming loan limits: $726,200 (2024)
Funding fee: Varies by down payment, service

Anne Arundel County VA Loans:

Many local lenders: VA-experienced
Process: Similar to conventional
Timeline: 30-45 days typical
Approval: VA appraisal required

Contact VA Loan Specialists:

Local lenders: Research VA experience
VA website: www.va.gov/housing_assistance/home-loans
Phone: 1-877-829-9712

Disability Compensation

VA Disability Ratings:

Rating Process:

Medical examination: Required
Decision: Based on service connection
Rating: 0-100% in 10% increments
Monthly payment: Based on rating, dependents

2024 Monthly Rates (single veteran):

10%: $171.18
20%: $341.28
30%: $524.31
50%: $1,075.39
100%: $3,737.85

Additional Benefits:

Dependents: Additional compensation
Housebound: Additional payment
Aid and Attendance: Extra for care needs
Special monthly: Specific disabilities

Applying for Disability:

File VA Form 21-526EZ
Submit medical evidence
Schedule examination
Wait for decision (30-90 days)
Appeal if denied

Military Families & Community

Military Schools & Youth Programs

School Support:

AACPS Military Programs:

Social Workers: School-based support
Counseling: Deployment support
Peer programs: Military children groups
Academic support: Tutors available

Military Child Education Coalition:

Mobile School Liaison: County-wide
Resources: www.militarychild.com
Support: Enrollment, records, transitions

Youth Programs:

YMCA Military Programs:

Location: Multiple in county
Discounts: Reduced rates for military
Programs: Childcare, youth activities
Website: www.ymcaanne.org

Boys & Girls Club:

Military families: Welcome and support
After-school: Programs available
Locations: Throughout county

Church Programs:

Military chaplains: Local churches
Youth groups: Faith-based support
Community: Integration opportunities

Deployment Support

Before Deployment:

Legal Preparations:

Power of attorney: Financial, medical
Wills: Ensure up-to-date
Powers: Manage household finances
Contact: Local military legal assistance

Family Readiness:

Emergency contacts: Share widely
Plans: Communication, support
Documents: Keep organized
Resources: Know what’s available

During Deployment:

Support Services:

Family Readiness Groups: Connect with families
Military & Family Life Counseling: Confidential
Legal assistance: Keep documents updated
Financial counseling: Budgeting support

Communication:

Leave plans: Understand leave policies
Contact: Email, phone, video calls
Time zones: Plan around differences
Emergency: Know procedures

After Deployment:

Reintegration:

Ramp-up: Gradual return to normal
Counseling: Available for all family members
Medical: Post-deployment health assessment
Benefits: Re-enrollment in programs

Resources:

VA Reintegration: Transition services
Local support: Peer networks
Employment: Job placement if separating
Education: GI Bill usage

Spouse Employment

Military Spouse Career Support:

Employment Assistance:

TAP program: Transition assistance
Job networks: Military spouse networks
Resume help: Available through programs
Networking: Local military spouse groups

Licenses & Certifications:

Reciprocity: Maryland accepts many out-of-state
Military spouse: Expedited process
Resources: www.militaryspouse.com

Employer Resources:

Veterans Advantage: Employer partnerships
Military Spouse Employment Partnership: Networks
Local companies: Many military-friendly

Entrepreneurship:

Small Business Administration: VA loans
Training: Business development programs
Mentoring: Business mentor networks
Resources: www.sba.gov/veterans

Child & Family Services

Child Care:

Dependent Child Care:

On-base: DOD Child Development Centers
Off-base: Child care subsidies available
Cost: Sliding scale based on income
Application: Through family services

Emergency Child Care:

Available: During deployments, emergencies
Contact: Installation family center
Duration: Varies by situation
Cost: Often subsidized

Family Centers:

Parent-child education: Classes available
Support groups: Parent networks
Resources: Developmental support
Workshops: Parenting, education

Mental Health Services

Military Mental Health:

On-Base Services:

Counseling: Free for active duty
Family counseling: Available
Deployment support: Specialized support
Confidential: Protected privacy

Off-Base Resources:

TRICARE: Coverage for mental health
Providers: In-network therapists
Cost: Copay varies by plan
Telehealth: Available options

VA Mental Health:

Veterans: Full coverage
Services: Individual, group therapy
Specialized: PTSD, depression, anxiety
Crisis: 24/7 support available

Crisis Support:

Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
VA Crisis: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
Text: Text to 838255
24/7 availability: Confidential support

Veteran Organizations

Local Veteran Groups:

Vietnam Veterans of America:

Chapter: Maryland
Meetings: Regular events
Support: Peer support, advocacy
Contact: Local Vietnam Vet organizations

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans:

Local chapters: Throughout Maryland
Support: Newer veterans
Events: Community involvement
Facebook: Search IAVA Maryland

Women Veterans:

Support: Female-specific resources
Network: Peer connections
Resources: Healthcare, benefits
Contact: State veteran services

Native American Veterans:

Cultural support: Indigenous veterans
Resources: Traditional support
Network: Community connections

Military Spouse Organizations:

Spouse clubs: Installation-based
Community: Peer support
Events: Social, networking
Facebook: Local groups

Community Integration

Becoming Part of the Community:

Civilian Connections:

Volunteer: Local organizations
Churches: Faith communities welcome
Neighborhood: Meet neighbors
Activities: Community events

Local Resources:

Library: Programs, resources
Recreation: Parks, activities
Shops: Support local businesses
Events: County events, festivals

Building Networks:

Military friends: Maintain connections
Civilian friends: Build diverse network
Professional: Industry connections
Social: Hobbies, interests

Employment & Education

Military Employment in Anne Arundel

Major Employers:

Federal Government:

NSA: Fort Meade
CIA: Langley, nearby
FDA: Silver Spring, nearby
DoD: Various agencies

Private Sector:

Defense contractors: Many local
Technology: Growing sector
Healthcare: Medical facilities
Education: Schools, universities

Benefits:

Veterans preference: Federal jobs
Security clearance: Valuable asset
Skills: Transferable abilities
Network: Military connections

Education Opportunities

Local Colleges:

Anne Arundel Community College:

Locations: Arnold, Odenton
Programs: Associate degrees, certificates
Veterans: GI Bill accepted
Website: www.aacc.edu
Phone: 410-777-2300

University of Maryland:

College Park: Nearby (20 miles)
College Park: GI Bill acceptance
Online: Flexible options

Community Colleges:

Howard Community College: Nearby
Montgomery College: Nearby
GI Bill: All accept benefits

Vocational Training

Vocational Programs:

Technical schools: Trade training
Certification: Industry-recognized
GI Bill: Often covered
Employment: Direct job pathways

Local Options:

Anne Arundel Technical Center: Various programs
Private schools: Local trade schools
Online: Flexible options

Job Search Resources

Veterans Job Fairs:

Local: Anne Arundel County
Regional: Maryland-wide
Federal: USAJobs.gov
Private: Defense contractor fairs

Resume Building:

Military CV: Translate to civilian
Skills: Highlight transferable
Networking: Military connections
Resources: VA employment services

Practical Information

Address Changes & Updates

When Moving:

Update Required:

DEERS: Defense Enrollment System
VA: Contact VA directly
TRICARE: Update address
ID Cards: Get new ID
MVA: Maryland driver’s license
IRS: Address with tax authorities

MVA (Vehicle Registration):

Required: Within 60 days
Military: May have extensions
BAWS: Base housing services
Location: Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severna Park MVA

Mail & Packages

APO/FPO Addresses:

Military Mail:

Format: Unit #, APO/FPO, ZIP
Delivery: 7-14 days typical
Cost: Domestic rates
Restrictions: Some items prohibited

Package Forwarding:

Amazon: Ships to APO/FPO
Commercial: Package forwarding services
Cost: Varies by service

Emergency Contacts

Military Emergency:

MFR: Installation-specific
Medical: 911 or base clinic
Police: 911 or base security
Family support: Family readiness center

VA Emergency:

Medical: 911 for emergencies
Crisis: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)
Veterans Crisis Line: Available 24/7

Local Emergency:

County Emergency: 410-222-3000
Police: 911
Medical: 911
Fire: 911

Resources & Contacts

Installation Contacts

Naval Academy:

Main: 410-293-0111
Website: www.usna.edu
Address: 110 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21402

Fort Meade:

Main: 410-604-1000
Website: www.army.mil/emeade
Address: 1020 West Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755

Joint Base Andrews:

Main: 301-981-2000
Website: Andrews.af.mil
Address: 150 Andrew Avenue, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762

VA Contacts

Maryland VA Healthcare System:

Phone: 410-597-6400
Website: www.md.vahealthcare.org
Address: Baltimore facility

VA Benefits:

Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Website: www.va.gov
Crisis: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)

TRICARE Contacts

TRICARE East:

Phone: 1-800-444-5445
Website: www.tricare.mil
Customer Service: 24/7 support

State Resources

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs:

Website: www.marylandveterans.org
Phone: 410-990-9145
Services: State benefits, advocacy

Local Support

Anne Arundel County Veterans Services:

Website: www.aacounty.org/veterans
Phone: 410-222-3000
Services: County-level support

Final Thoughts

Anne Arundel County offers exceptional resources for military families and veterans, with three major installations providing strong support networks and community connections. Whether you’re newly arrived, deployed, or transitioning to civilian life, you’re not alone.

My advice from a military spouse’s perspective:

Build your network early
Take advantage of all available resources
Connect with other military families
Stay informed about benefits and entitlements
Don’t hesitate to ask for help

You’ve served our country - now let the community serve you.

Welcome to Anne Arundel County, and thank you for your service!

Official Military Resources

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Official VA Website

Main VA Site: va.gov
Find VA Locations: va.gov/find-locations
VA Benefits: benefits.va.gov
GI Bill Benefits: benefits.va.gov/gibill

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

State VA Resources

State VA Office: marylandveterans.org
Maryland VA Services: maryland.gov/veterans
State VA Contact: 410-974-3810

Defense Manpower Data Center

DEERS and ID Cards

DEERS Registration: dmdc.osd.mil

U.S. Department of Defense

Official DOD Site

Main DOD Website: dod.gov
Military Installations: dod.mil/locations

Tricare

Military Health Care

Tricare Official Site: tricare.mil
Provider Directory: tricare.mil/findaprovider
Tricare For Life: tricare.mil/trl

Last updated: May 2026