Norfolk Naval Station

Mission of Norfolk Naval Base

Naval Station Norfolk supports the operational readiness of the US Atlantic Fleet. NS Norfolk is committed to safety, security, and continuous improvement in the quality of life for our Sailors and families by providing the required facilities and services for mission accomplishment.

Base Information of Norfolk Naval Base

Norfolk lies approximately 90 miles southeast of Richmond, VA. Norfolk is about 18 miles from the Atlantic Ocean near popular beach town – Virginia Beach and is bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads Harbor.

Population/Major Units Assigned

The Norfolk / Tidewater region has over 1.4 million people and serves a very large community of active duty, retirees, family members and dependents, reservists, DoD civilians and Joint Forces. At NS Norfolk there are more than 80,000 active duty; 112,000 family members; 30,000 DoD civilians.  To say Norfolk is a big Navy town is an understatement. The Active Duty, Reservists, DoD Civilians make up nearly 30% of the region’s population.

Major Units Include

Major Ships Stationed at Norfolk

Amphibious Assault Ships

Other Bases in the Area:

Visiting Naval Station Norfolk

A quick drive east from Norfolk and you will find the beach city/tourist hub of Virginia Beach. About an hour South is the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Finding beach community rentals is relatively easy if you choose to live off base and close to the beach.

There are three options for temporary lodging for transferring service members and their families – Visitors Quarters, Navy Lodge or local hotels. There are 7 Visitors Quarters Navy Inns and Suites in the Hampton Roads region.

These facilities are available to both single and married service members and offer a variety of rooms: suites, single rooms, rooms with kitchenettes and rooms that are handicap accessible.

For reservations and rates call 1-877-ZUMWALT. There are many hotels in the surrounding area. Room rates vary depending on the hotel, size of the room and time of the year. 

Housing

All military personnel, married or single, reporting to sea or shore commands in the Hampton Roads area are required to report to the Regional Housing Referral Office in Norfolk, before negotiating a lease or rental agreement for housing. 

There are over 3000 family housing units in the Hampton Roads area. Wait times for military housing vary and are dependent on rank, date of application and bedroom entitlement. Contact the housing office for updated information on wait times.

Single service members who are E4 over 4 on both shore and sea duty are authorized to reside in the local community and be paid BAH. E4 under 4 stationed ashore will stay in the barracks and be put on a waiting list until the BH manning reaches 95%. E4 under 4 may be eligible to reside out in town and receive BAH entitlements.

Newly reporting officers may be afforded transient berthing for thirty (30) days at Navy Gateway Inns and Suites Naval Station Norfolk. The phone number for Combined Bachelors Quarters is 1-877-986-9258.

Schools

There are no DODDS, public or private schools on any installation in the Hampton Roads region. Hampton Roads has many superior schools and specialty programs available to serve your children. 

There are several elementary, middle, or high schools, gifted/talented programs, magnet schools or special education centers locally available. Additionally, private schools, private pre-schools, and kindergarten facilities throughout the region provide parents with various educational choices.​

For a brochure listing the primary and secondary schools accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (757) 622-2312. For additional information on private schools, consult the Virginia Department of Education. 

Child Care

The NS Norfolk Child Development Center (CDC) has a full-time child care program for children 6 weeks through five years of age. The waiting time for enrollment depends on the age of the child.

You can reach the CDC at 757-444-3379. The CDC is open Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.

On-base Youth Centers provide a variety of before and after school programs as well as summer, spring and winter camps. The cost of care depends on total family income and the care program selected.

The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Department provide a variety of programs for 6-17-year-olds throughout the year as well as a series of summer camps through the Youth and Teen Programs.

Medical and Dental

The Charette Health Center, Portsmouth (informally known as Portsmouth Naval Medical Center- NMCP) provides a comprehensive range of emergency, outpatient and inpatient health care services to active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel, their families and the many retired military members in the Hampton Roads area (approximately 450,000 active duty, retired, and dependent military members are eligible to use this facility and its clinics).

There are 7 Branch Health clinics and 3 TRICARE Prime clinics, within the Hampton Roads region to meet the medical and dental needs of service members and family members on each of the local bases (NAS Oceana, Dam Neck, NAB Little Creek, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Yorktown Weapons Station). Personnel should contact the health care facility nearest them to obtain information on the availability of services.

Medical care services are offered on a priority basis. The first priority of care is to active duty military. The second priority is to family members of active duty, with retired military and family members of retired military following in the eligibility chain.