I'm an Air Force retiree and have been to bases around the world, but this was my first time at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. The base was a lot smaller than I expected, with a smaller Base Exchange and Commissary. The base is right on the Potomac River and has some interesting MWR opportunities. Although I wouldn't want to be stationed at JBAB, it was a good place to visit while in the Washington DC area while visiting family. read more

This base has the worst visitors center. I've been waiting for like an hour and a half and they're not prioritizing who got here first.

Beautiful views of the Potomac, DC and Alexandria VA! My dad was military and I have lived all over Europe and the US. This is probably the nicest base I have been on! Well kept up. Getting through the gate was interesting since we weren't on a list. Not too long of a wait before we were approved for entry. A friend of a friend rented a pontoon boat and a pavilion for a family reunion cookout over Memorial Day weekend. The pavilions are a good size. There was over 50 of us and we had plenty of room. Picnic tables, Grill and outlets for electricity. Restrooms were clean! There's quite a few different boats to rent. We had a great time on our boat. The scenery is beautiful! Great time was had by all! read more

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Nice peaceful quite base. Staying here for the weekend visiting my good friend and her daughter. The area is beautiful. Fresh snow and makes the area look like a postcard or calendar for Month of December. The homes are spacious and she has a big lawn area on the side of her house. Perfect for caroline to play on during the summer. The guards are friendly... They let me stay inside to keep warm while I waited for my friend at the gate. read more

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Convenient small base to live on. Centrally located, great access to downtown DC, Maryland and Alexandria. Sometimes the neighboring water treatment facility smells. The t-ball field could use some better turf. read more

I really liked having my company's first annual picnic here! There was a basketball court and plenty of open green space that allowed us to set up and play volleyball, cornhole, dodgeball, and kickball. Let's not forget the dunk tank with executive leadership sitting in it ;) Just to be clear, the dunk tank does not come with the territory. LOL There were plenty of tables covered by awnings that kept me and my coworkers cool while eating, talking, and playing games. And of course, the best part were the grills for us to cook on... because who wants to go to a picnic without food??? The views are absolutely amazing. You have a great view of the Potomac River and you get to see planes and helicopters galore. Both military aircraft as well as planes from Reagan National Airport. My mother used to take me to the air show every year as a child, so this brought back childhood memories. The logistics for entry into the air base require a little patience, but it's worth it. Everyone's personal information had to be collected in advance and submitted to security at the base. Once your information is on file, you can enter the base with ease by showing your driver's license or state ID. Many of my coworkers drove their cars to the base. Which reminds me... there is ample parking! My coworkers and I all were pretty much unanimous with our opinions on how great this venue is. I would not mind us returning here next year. read more

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling - Beautiful view of the Potomac River. - Public Services & Government Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've been there a few times. No so many thins to do there but they have a nice park with pavilions, playgrounds, and a nice view. Commissary size is pretty average but exchange is really small. You can't enjoy shopping here much. There is MWR but no USO. Their thrift shop reopened the other day. It seems very popular. I really like the decorations behind the main gate. Check it out yo! read more

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After 25 years in The army I've learned a thing or two about basis: not every base is perfect. Such is the case for this one. While there are some things that are nice about this small base here in the DC area, there are some things that are just hard to look beyond. Access is its biggest flaw. It's hard to get beyond the fact that it is hard to get onto this base if you have a an appointment or are visiting someone. I went to a luncheon at the chapel and while I got there in plenty of time, the people with me, civilians, not military related at all so they had no OD cards, they had over an hours worth of wait and hassle to get access to the base. They arrived early. Early enough to go through a line, early enough to go through a security check, and early enough that they should've been able to get to the lunch on time. But for some reason they were continually delayed and it was absolutely crazy. One would think that after years and years of having contracted security at the gates there would be a plan to plus-up or augment the staffing during initial rush hour, lunch time and any other time when they know more people will be accessing the base. Unfortunately that's not the case at this base- and I wonder if they even apply lessons learned from other locations. There are plenty of other bases that have as much or more security that are easier to get on to here in the capital region, but this ordeal really made me question how things are going in regards to base access when there was no reason for a delay other than staffing. Housing looked nice, parks looked good, roads were decent, grass was cut, yada yada yada...but none of that matters when you're too frustrated to enjoy it. read more

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling - Nice view - Public Services & Government Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The Bolling AFB BOQ lodging (off of Luke St.) was nice. Flat screen TV, modern decor etc. Also, the grounds of the actual base were immaculate. + housing/quarters looked VERY NICE! The back gate closes at a certain hour, so my GPS had to guide be back to the front gate- but all in all, it's an easy place to map your way around. read more

Three weeks ago, I sought access to JBAB or Joint Base Anacostia Bolling. A state or federal picture ID is required. I produced my work ID (at the main gate) which is a CAT card. Feds and military know what this is. I was allowed in with that ID. I was there for a cookout in Pavilion 5. The cookout was fantastic. Dogs, burgers, crabs, fried fish, BBQ chicken, and all the sides. This is provided by the cookout host. I.E. you bring your own cookout. Since that time, I have been back to this base several times to visit the: marina, outdoor recreation, Slip Inn (separate yelp), commisary (escorted), Burger King, and something else. On one occasion, I turned too early and found myself at the Bellvue Housing gate. There I was lectured by the guard about my federal government CAT card ID. It was apparently not the proper ID to enter Bolling. Really? Well what ID would the guard like? He wouldn't say but after several more questions about my destination, he allowed me in anyway. I would, from that experience, suggest avoiding this Bellvue gate. Otherwise, Bolling Air Force Base (as I knew it most of my life) or Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, is as good as it gets. And I'm not even military. And I've only experienced 1/10th of 1% of its offerings. read more

Located VERY CLOSE to all things "DC!" The only reason it's missing it's firth star is that is it is completely isolated from the DC Metro transit system. You are forced to commute via car here. Sure - it's Thug Land right outside the gate, but inside it's VERY safe and secure, and actually very well taken care of (ala "Air Force Style"). Base housing is pretty decent - "affordable" considering costs outside. My experiences with everyone on base has been extremely positive. Commissary and Exchange are "baseline." They get the job done for essentials. Andrews has the bigger/better facilities (as well as more people/traffic). Gyms and MWR facilities are pretty decent! Nice marina and park right on the Potomac! The only thing missing from this base is a Metro access. read more

This is probably one of the nastiest bases I been to. The people are one of the reasons. And the commissary is horrible. The water front is dirty. The px isn't anything special. read more

Ahhh...what an easy way to get a FTR by being one of the few members on this site who can get into these places with ease... Bolling AFB is the home of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard (who you frequently see running the Air Force's ceremonies and funerals in this town), the U.S. Air Force Band (not to be confused with Tops in Blue), and the 11th Wing. Honestly, this is one of the smaller bases I've been on and its military contingent is easily outnumbered by the civilians and contractors working on the base. It's also connected to the Annacostia Naval Station, home of Marine One which you can frequently see flying in and out of during the work day. The best kept secret about this place is the harbor that it has where those with MWR privileges (military and their families) can use to drop their boats into the river and sail for a day. I prefer to use the harbor bar for a semi-peaceful drink occasionally disturbed by re-vectored traffic from Reagan Airport which is across the water. read more

I agree with other review, BOQ is off the chart, especially aft seeing so many Army or Marine equivalant (FAIL!) The gym was really modern and clean, and also the pool. Yes this is mil base and not open to all public like disney world, but if any developer reading this review, this is the prime location for new development if AF ever runs out of money and start selling base around DC. read more

Small quiet multi service installation that has some nice perks based on location. I'm talking about on the recreation side of things. It's right on the water so the views are excellent. There's a boating dock and pavilions for barbecuing. There's also a nice walk along the Potomac River with Ronald Reagan Nation Airport on the other side. It's got a decent size Commissary and Exchange plus gas station and Shoppette. The lodging is also very nice at rates you won't find in the Washington DC area. There aren't many places to eat on base so you'll have to get out and explore. The National Mall and all the things you want to do sightseeing are only about a 5 to 7 minute drive away. Make note that there are also some pretty rundown areas right outside the base but you can bypass those fairly easy. When leaving the base, go left and you'll be golden. Turn right to head for Virginia. Go straight if you're feeling adventurous. read more

I love it here. It's DC but not when you don't want it to be. Mature tree lined streets make it a nice haven in the hustle and bustle. Running trails along the Potomac that offer views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Building make for the perfect place to catch a run and unwind from whatever business has brought you here. Not that everyone can take part in the specialness of this place, but if you can.... come on in and enjoy a slightly different pace. read more

Located off 295 in Southeast DC, you will find Bolling AFB. Actually, today, it's know as Joint Base Anacostia, but for us old timers, it will be always know as Bolling. Host of several other military type organizations such as Naval Research Laboratory and Defense Intelligence Agency. I don't come here too often, but usually pleasantly surprised when I do. Outside the gates, the neighborhood of Southeast DC doesn't have a good reputation, but once inside the gates, you will find a clean yet old base. read more

My in-laws are military and were able to reserve a pavilion right on the water for my sister in-laws baby shower. It was a great view, and had so much space. Next to the pavilion was a basketball court, plenty of space to throw Frisbee, play football and had a decent sized playground for the children. The area is clean and has a large amount of tables under shelter. Plenty of BBQ grills around. We were there from 11 AM to 7:00 PM. The view is nice and much more affordable than renting a space on any other side of the bay. It did drive me crazy to hear the airplanes landing and taking off every 5 seconds but hey... it is an airforce base and located literally across the airport. Probably one of the more "prettier" bases I've been on, just with the view of the water and the amount of greenery. read more

The base is beautiful. The lodging looks like lodging on any other base. The staff is extremely friendly when I reserve a room. The gym and the mini shopette are close by. This location Is very convenient to DC area besides being outside a very hood area(seems a lot of bases are close to a run down area). But the price and availability can't be beat. I can see the national mall from the 3rd floor lodging building and I can be there in minutes. Hard to beat this place. I do hate that house keeping comes and pounds on the door by 8am but the savings make it worth while. read more

This is the worst base I have ever lived on. The housing is always losing power, the privatize housing does not advocate for the renters at all. They have done every thing in their power to minimize their responsibilities for the problems and issues that have come up for the tenants. There is a mouse problem in the houses that has not been adequately addressed. There is an ant issue that also has not been addressed. They recently pulled the renters insurance for the houses I cannot feel for any other reason then the complaints they were getting about the power outages and the loss of electronic equipment and food. The maintenance is shabby, and have come into my home unannounced while I was asleep in bed. People park all over the streets and the streets are tiny and narrow anyways which makes moving in and out of your driveway a problem and impossible in the winter when no one moves their cars for plowing. AVOID this base... read more

We've lived on JBAB for about a year and like it so far. It's quiet, all of our neighbors are respectful, and there is plenty on base to do or see. There's a great dog park on base. The commissary is... kind of gross. We have seen plenty of expires goods on the shelves. That's the only draw back I have noted thus far. read more