Arrival

Bolling AFB is located along the Potomac River adjacent to I-295, which is accessible from I-95, I-395 or I-495, and is within the Washington, D.C. city limits. If you plan to drive, you might want to consider arriving during non-rush hours, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

If your plans include air travel, there are three airports serving the Washington area -- Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Northern Virginia is just across the Potomac River from Bolling and is about 15 minutes from the base during non-rush hours. Dulles, also in Northern Virginia, is farther away and during non-rush hours is about a 50-minute drive. BWI is about a 40-minute drive from Bolling even under the best of conditions. If you do plan to fly and have an option, fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National because it's the most convenient.

At The Base

Bolling has two entrances: the main gate and the south gate, which is also known as the visitors gate. If you arrive in a vehicle without base registration stickers, you will need to enter through the visitors gate with your military identification card. This gate is the only access for visitors without ID cards or stickers. If you're assigned to the Pentagon, you should also try to arrive during non-rush hours. The Pentagon is located adjacent to I-395, just across the Virginia state line and is easily accessible by both Metrobus and Metrorail. In fact, the Metro subway has an underground stop at the Pentagon.

Temporary Lodging

At present, the Bolling Inn has 267 guest rooms to including 100 temporary lodging units. The TLF units come equipped with a full kitchen, dining area, one or two bedrooms, and a sleeper sofa and are primarily used for those in permanent-change-of-station status traveling with dependents. These units are usually full during the peak moving season, May through September, so members are encouraged to make reservations at least 90 days in advance. Single Airmen, NCOs and officers will be lodged in either Cheshire Hall or Mathies Manor (based on rank) until they secure permanent housing either on or off base. Pets are not allowed in any of Bolling's transient facilities. Commercial pet boarding facilities are available in the local area and the lodging office can provide members with a listing. To make a lodging reservation, members should call (202) 404-7050, DSN 754-7050 or e-mail to lodging@bolling.af.mil.

Dollars and Sense

The financial services office is responsible for all travel and military or civilian pay matters in the National Capital Region. Important pay and travel information is provided to newly arrived personnel during centralized in-processing briefings at the military personnel flight. The financial services office is located on the first floor of Building 5681 on Bolling and provides walk-in customer service. Personnel stationed at the Pentagon may use the financial services office there, which are located in Room 5E1009B.

Tobacco-free Policy

Bolling has been a tobacco-free installation for years. Tobacco use may only occur on base in designated areas. Designated tobacco-use areas include designated dormitory rooms and military family housing.

On-base Housing

Once assigned to Bolling or the Pentagon, members who have applied for military family housing will be provided with waiting-list information by Bolling's housing office staff. Members may also apply for housing upon arrival.

Off-base Housing

Living in the Washington, D.C. area can be an exciting adventure. However, be prepared for the high cost of renting in the metropolitan area. For example, a typical unfurnished apartment ranges from $800 to $1,200 for a one-bedroom and $1,000 to $1,400 for a two-bedroom. Along with the high rental costs, there usually is a security deposit equal to one month's rent that is often required in advance, along with the first month's rent.

Prior to signing a rental agreement, it is crucial that military members ensure they have a clause in their leases protecting them if they are forced to break a lease early due to permanent change of station, deployment or a temporary duty assignment.

Housing or the legal office can provide people with a copy of the Early Termination of Rental Agreement to include as an addendum to their lease. In addition, the legal office can provide assistance if people have any concerns regarding the lease before they sign it.

Deposits may also be required when contracting for telephone service, gas, electricity and cable television. People can also expect a credit check fee when applying to move into an apartment.

Bolling established a “Rental Partnership“ program, which is designed to combat the high cost of living in the D.C. metropolitan area. This program waives security deposits, application fees, credit checks and income requirements.

Additionally, there is a 5-percent discount off the original rent at most apartment complexes.

To qualify, you must be a military member assigned to the area and be willing to set up an allotment to pay your rent. For a “Rental Partnership“ list of apartments and an application, stop by the Bolling Housing Office upon your arrival.

Household Goods

Before you get a permanent home, check the status of your household goods shipment by contacting the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office at Fort Belvoir, Va. The JPPSO needs to know your plans as soon as possible to better serve you and your family. You should arrange delivery as early as possible to help cut down on costly in-transient storage, potential damage due to extra handling, and delivery delays. Normally three- to five-days' notice is required for delivery; however, during peak moving periods, especially May through September, it may take up to 10 days or more.

Personnel who do not have a place to move immediately upon arrival are authorized temporary storage at government expense for up to 90 days. An additional 90 days may be requested through the JPPSO.

For those who have completed a do-it-yourself move, paperwork can be hand-carried to the Bolling Traffic Management Office for certification. For your convenience, if you are assigned to the Pentagon, the Pentagon TMO can also certify your DITY move.

If your shipment has not been tracked upon arrival, contact the housing referral office at Bolling to obtain a pager at no cost to you from the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office. This allows JPPSO to contact you in a timely manner so that you may receive your shipment.

For more information concerning household goods and storage, visit Bolling's TMO on the second floor of Building 13, located on Brookley Avenue.

Until Your Things Arrive

If you need to set up house while you're waiting for your personal items to arrive, family services has a variety of items and information that may help you. Located in Building 502 on Brookley Avenue, family services has everything you may need to borrow: kitchen dish packs, irons, ironing boards, futon mattresses, card tables and chairs, car seats, playpens, small lamps, linens, toasters, coffee pots and clock radios.

Volunteers assist arriving and departing members of the community in coordination with the relocation assistance program.

The family services office is open based on volunteer availability. Consider becoming a family services volunteer and help with the loan locker program and other services, including the layette program and the brochure library.

If you're assigned to the Pentagon, you'll want to visit the family support center annex located in Room 1E288 for all your relocation needs. The annex has a variety of computer software programs, which provide information on jobs, housing and schools, to help families select the community that best meets their needs and preferences. A cost-of-living analysis provides housing information as well as civilian pay ranges.