Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

Still love the base. I love the tree lined streets, the people, the commissary but now that I have been here a year I will give you my ’ not likes ‘. I wish the Shoppet was open 24 hours like other bases. You have to leave the base at night if you need anything, nothing here to see or do at night. They have extra parking everywhere. on the ends of the streets just about every block but people park on the street, both sides of the road. We have garages, and driveways and the streets are narrow. If you go to the end of the block all you see are cars parked both sides of the street. People park in front of your house with the nose of their car in your driveway. Don’t get me started about winter, moving your car for the plow is only «suggested ». seriously. It is like a Russian parking lot trying to get out of your driveway in the mornings and in the winter you have a pile of snow to drive over as the plow could only get down a narrow strip of road and because it could not plow efficiently the extra snow ends up piled in the end of your driveway. Calls to management don’t go anywhere. Alas that is the only complaint. But you can tell it is a big pet peeve of mine at this time, which I will get over. I love the sound of families playing in the parks. We have the splash park directly behind my house and I can see children playing all day and that is lovely. I love the evening walks with our pups. We have found favorite shopping areas and dining spots. We have settled in rather nicely. I love my home, three floors, two long stairwells and all. It is spring and everything has gone green with the blooms on all our trees in the back yards yet to come. I look forward to a few more years here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 3^rd 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.

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.

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.

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 Unilocal), 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 ¹⁄₁₀^th of 1% of its offerings.

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.

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.

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.

The Bolling AFB BOQ lodging (off of Luke St.) was nice. Flat screen TV, modern décor 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.

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 11^th 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.