PWTM: Fort Meade, Maryland
Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021.
One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.
We here at Army Wife Network want to take the some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Meade, Maryland.
Located in Maryland, midway between the cities of Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C., Fort George G. Meade lies four miles east of Interstate 95 and one-half mile east of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Fort Meade is situated within the communities of Odenton, Laurel, Severn, Jessup, and Columbia. BWI Airport is a convenient 20 minutes from Fort Meade.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fort Meade is home to the following units:
- National Security Agency
- 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera)
- 1st Medical Recruiting Battalion
- 3rd Training Support Battalion
- 32nd Civil Support Team
- 48th Combat Support Hospital
- 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)
- 200th Military Police Command
- 308th Military Intelligence Battalion
- 352nd Civil Affairs Command
- 704th Military Intelligence Brigade
- 780th Military Intelligence Brigade
- 902nd Military Intelligence Group
- Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility
- Environmental Science Center of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Headquarters Command Battalion
- Joint Regional Medical Plans and Operations Branch, Northeast
- Library of Congress Book Storage Facility
- Marine Cryptological Support Battalion
- U.S. Navy Cryptological Warfare Group 6
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
- U.S. Army Field Band
- U.S. Army Cyber Command
- U.S. Army Recruiting Command
- U.S. Army 1st Recruiting Brigade
- U.S. Army Signal School Detachment Student Company
- U.S. Cyber Command
Surrounding Cities:
Closest MAJOR City: Baltimore (18 miles) or Washington, D.C. (30 miles)
Names of Area Colleges:
- University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore
- John Hopkins University in Baltimore (with satellite campuses)
- Bowie State University in Bowie
Weather: Fort Meade has an average climate with four traditional seasonal changes throughout the year. Summer temperature averages are in the mid-high 80s and winter temperature averages are in the mid-low 20s. On average, Fort Meade receives 44 inches of rain per year and 17 inches of snow per year.
“If you want to experience four seasons, then this is the place for you. Snow is likely, and depending on how much falls, it can be a while until all roads are clear. Overall, Maryland does a great job keeping the community informed.” —Sarah P.
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone
SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION
To access the post website, click here.
Historical Facts/Landmarks: Fort Meade became an active installation in 1917. In 1928, the post was re-designated Fort Leonard Wood, but Pennsylvania congressmen, angry at removing the name of native son George Meade, held up Army appropriations until the Army agreed to name the new permanent installation Fort George G. Meade on March 5, 1929. Fort Meade has history spanning both World Wars and has many buildings on site named after Army soldiers.
HOUSING
On-post Housing is managed by Corvias.
“Housing on post is nice and fairly well-maintained. As with most Corvias neighborhoods, you have access to a neighborhood center complete with gym, pool access, and more. If you prefer off-post housing, you have plenty of options within a manageable timeframe. Look for homes in Seven Oaks (apartments and even spacious row homes), or rent from private owners in the large, in-demand Piney Orchard community. Large yards are difficult to come by in this area, so it may require you living further from the installation to have that. You can sometimes get more for your money in Bowie, but your commute is at least 20 minutes without traffic.” —Sarah P.
Major realty/rental companies in the area:
“Diane Taylor with PenFed Realty was a huge help in finding my family a rental home that was off post, within our budget, and with a short commute to Fort Meade.” —Sarah P.
SCHOOLS
School Districts:
- Anne Arundel County Public Schools
- Howard County Public Schools
- Prince George’s County Public Schools
- Baltimore County Public Schools
- Montgomery County Public Schools
On-Post Schools
- Early Learning: West Meade Early Education Center (PreK, K, and Early Childhood Intervention)
- Elementary: Manor View Elementary School (1-5), Meade Heights Elementary School (PreK-5, and ECI), and Pershing Hill Elementary School (1-5)
- Middle: MacArthur Middle School (6-8) and Meade Middle School (6-8)
- High: Meade Senior High (Grades 9-12)
Off-Post Schools
- For a full list of schools in the area, consult the district websites above.
- You can view a list of Maryland charter schools here.
- You can view a list of approved nonpublic schools here.
- You can review Maryland homeschool requirements here.
ON-POST SERVICES
- Child and Youth Services
- Army Community Service
- PX
- Commissary
- The Medal of Honor Memorial Library
- Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center
- MWR
- The Fort Meade Spouses’ Club
- Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations
OFF-POST INFORMATION
Health Care:
- Hospital: UM Laurel Medical Center in Laurel, Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, and Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Baltimore.
- Urgent Care: Patient First in Odenton or Righttime Medical Care in Arundel Mills
- General Practitioners: John Hopkins Community Practitioners (available in all counties surrounding Fort Meade)
- Dentist: Chesapeake Smiles in Odenton or Ridgeview Dental Care in Hanover
- OBGYN: Premier OBGYN, LLC in Odenton or Johns Hopkins Community Practitioners (available in counties surrounding Fort Meade)
“While at Fort Meade, families have the option to use the Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan. Due to a contract with Tricare, service members and their families receive the same coverage as Tricare Prime while receiving access to all Johns Hopkins health care centers at no additional cost. So still no co-pays and the same equal coverage to Tricare Prime. Johns Hopkins’ care is top-notch, with less of a wait than on post. I switched to USFHP when I became pregnant. Tricare Prime patients must deliver at Walter Reed, which is a significant drive for a woman who may be in labor. Because I had switched, I instead delivered in Columbia in a Johns Hopkins hospital that was 15 minutes from my home. The pediatricians under USFHP were wonderful, and I had access to practitioners much closer to my off-post home than at Kimbrough. ” —Sarah P.
Best place for beauty services:
- Posh Salon Studios in Columbia
- Looks Salon & Spa in Columbia
- Christina Josephs Salon Studio in Millersville
RESTAURANTS
Odenton:
Gambrills:
Glen Burnie:
Ellicott City:
Annapolis:
- Fado Irish Pub
- Lemongrass
- Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge
- Cafe Normandie
- Preserve
- O’Brien’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant
- Passer’s Caribbean Grill
- Red Red Wine Bar
Baltimore:
MUST DO
Odenton:
- United States Naval Academy
- Maryland State House
- Saint Anne’s Church
- Wander the streets of Annapolis, popping in the galleries and boutiques along the way
- Tour Historic Annapolis
- National Aquarium
- Sherwood Gardens
- Fort McHenry National Monument
- Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum
- Inner Harbor
- Catch an Orioles’ game at Camden Yards
- Watch the Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium
- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Bowie:
College Park:
Upper Marlboro:
Washington, D.C.:
- Visit the White House
- Pay your respects at any of the war memorials scattered through town
- Stroll through the Smithsonians
- Attend any number of events and shows at National Harbor
- Kennedy Center
“Get to Washington, D.C. if you have never been there, and do everything! Seriously, do everything. It’s so close, you have public transportation options to get you into the city, and there is so much to do! Visit the Lincoln Memorial, explore all Smithsonian museums, visit the war memorials, walk through Arlington National Cemetery, see the White House, look up at the Washington Monument, climb the Capitol steps, see the Cherry blossoms… Go, and do it all! You won’t regret it.” —Sarah P.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.
Installation Facebook page: Fort George G. Meade, Md.
Military Spouse Groups:
Buy/Sell/Trade Pages: Fort Meade Buy, Sell, and Trade
Religious services:
Spouse Testimonials
“Fort Meade is a smaller installation compared to others across the Army, encompassing a variety of services, and employing countless civilians. It’s an easy installation to learn your way around, but traffic will always be an issue. This is a very busy area, so always add some time for traffic jams. The PX is only a few years old. If you’re a person who has craved a nearby Target or Chik-Fil-A, you’ll find it here along with tons of other chain stores and restaurants you may have been missing. There are many affordable grocery stores off post, so you may find you don’t use the commissary as often (some even offer gas points!). If the busy area isn’t quite your groove, there are plenty of ways to get out into the country and nature, just take to Google to find what works best for you!” —Sarah P.
