Fort Detrick

Fort Detrick is a United States Army Futures Command installation located in Frederick, Maryland. It actively supports a community involved in biomedical research and development, medical material management, global medical communications, and foreign plant pathogen studies.

Base Operator:
301-619-8000

Address:
810 Schreider Street
Fort Detrick, MD 21702

What Kind of Base is Fort Detrick?

As the primary hub of the United States biological defense program, Fort Detrick houses the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. It also serves as the location for the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.

Fort Detrick History

Fort Detrick’s origins trace back to 1929, when it was a modest municipal airport and emergency airfield. It later took its name in honor of Major Frederick L. Detrick, a World War I squadron flight surgeon. From 1943 to 1969, the base was pivotal as the U.S. biological weapons program’s core. In the early 2010s, Fort Detrick expanded its reach, housing institutions like the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, and the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research.

Fort Detrick Housing

On-post housing options include working with the Housing Service Office (HSO) and the private company managing housing on the USAG. Balfour Beatty Communities and Glen Haven Apartments manage the on-post housing options.

Service members reporting for duty at Fort Detrick are REQUIRED to report to the Housing Office prior to seeking off-post rental housing. The Housing Office number is 301-619-3224.

PCS and TDY Lodging

Fort Detrick offers no on-post temporary lodging options. However there are several hotels within two miles of the Fort that will offer low PCS Rates.

What is the BAH for Fort Detrick?

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) at Fort Detrick varies depending on rank, years of service and dependency status. Visit the Maryland state BAH page or see the chart below for more information.

FORT DETRICK, MD BAH Rates

Military Housing Area: MD130

Grade	With Dependents	Without Dependents
E01	$2,175	$1,776
E02	$2,175	$1,776
E03	$2,175	$1,776
E04	$2,175	$1,776
E05	$2,307	$1,944
E06	$2,838	$2,130
E07	$2,862	$2,178
E08	$2,871	$2,418
E09	$2,964	$2,574
W01	$2,859	$2,148
W02	$2,868	$2,415
W03	$2,880	$2,592
W04	$3,009	$2,838
W05	$3,201	$2,847
O01E	$2,865	$2,304
O02E	$2,874	$2,538
O03E	$3,036	$2,832
O01	$2,376	$2,043
O02	$2,835	$2,265
O03	$2,877	$2,646
O04	$3,267	$2,841
O05	$3,567	$2,850
O06	$3,594	$2,853
O07	$3,624	$2,877

For more information, look at BAH rates by state or calculate your exact BAH rate.

Fort Detrick Surrounding Area

Fort Detrick is nestled in the heart of Frederick County, the third fastest-growing county in Maryland. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic beauty of the nearby Monocacy River and the diverse flora and fauna of the region. The base is also in close proximity to several bustling towns, including Baltimore and Washington D.C., roughly an hour drive away.

Healthcare

The Richard Barquist Army Health Clinic at Fort Detrick offers general medical care to active duty personnel, their family members, retirees, and those needing occupational health services. The clinic operates strictly on an appointment basis, accommodating services such as physical exams, pap smears, pediatrics, and internal medicine.

Note: There is no emergency care on-post. For emergency services, go to Frederick Memorial Hospital, which is just one mile away from Fort Detrick.

Childcare

Fort Detrick offers childcare options for families. There is a Child Development Center (CDC) offering full day care for infants, toddlers and preschool aged children. A school age center also offers a school year care program for students.

Schooling

For families station at Fort Detrick, at least three public school options exist. They are the Frederick County Public School District, Washington County Public Schools, and the Waynesboro Area School District.

To learn more, call the the School Liaison Program at Fort Detrick at 301-619-7143.