Inprocessing
When first reporting onboard Camp Pendleton, all personnel, with the exception of students, are required to report to the Joint Reception Center (JRC), Bldg. 130132, located on mainside. Students are required to check in directly with their school. All servicemembers must report in service "A" uniform. The JRC will look at your orders and tell you where you need to report next. For filing your travel claim, see your S-1, unit Disbursing Office.
Navy Personnel
Navy personnel assigned to the Naval Hospital should report to the Officer of the Day at the Quarter Deck, Bldg. H-100. The OOD or Command Duty Officer will be there 24 hrs a day. All other Naval personnel should check-in with their appropriate command (ACU-5, Dental, 1st FSSG, etc.)
Arrival and Check-In Requirements: All personnel are required to report to the Joint Reception Center (JRC), Building 130132, in service "A" uniform. The duty desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Lodging: All personnel checking into Camp Pendleton are advised to make reservations for Temporary Lodging and/or Billeting up to 1 year in advance due to the large number of personnel incoming to and outgoing from Camp Pendleton. The summer months are extremely busy for PCS moves, so PLAN AHEAD!
Retirees can find assistance and retirement services at the Retired Activities Office (RAO).
Child Care: Please note our "Home Alone" policy. Base Housing regulations for family housing occupants state that children under the age of 12 may not be left home alone in quarters. However, children over 12 years of age may be left alone in quarters and may care for younger children. The guidelines for families with children residing within the local community (off base) are very similar. There is an informal policy recommending the "home alone" age to be 12-14 to be based on each particular situation and to be reviewed on an individual basis.
The Welcome Aboard Orientation is held from 0800 - 1000 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Joint Reception Center, Building 130132, providing relocation information to new arrivals. SPOUSES are highly encouraged to attend. Call toll free 1-800-253-1624 or commercial (760) 725-5704/3802 for more information. New to the area --- CHECK OUT --- INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL GROUP --- The Group promotes cross cultural adaptation through arts 'n crafts, recreation, social gatherings and educational briefings.
Housing: Military personnel with family members reporting to Camp Pendleton for permanent duty are required to report to the Base Housing office, Bldg 1138, before accepting or signing off base housing agreements. EFMP CAT 4 families - contact EFMP coordinators at (760) 763-0868 or (760) 725-5363 for more information.
The SCOUT, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton newspaper is published every Thursday and distributed to housing and other key locations throughout the base. The SCOUT provides the military community with important military news and useful advertising information. All queries concerning news and editorial content should be directed to: The SCOUT, Marine Corps Publics Affairs Office, Bldg 1160, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5001, at (760) 725-9376. Queries concerning business matters or display ads should be directed to North County Times at (760) 433-7333. Classified ads, except Military Marketplace, may be placed by calling (760) 433-7333 or (760) 901-4057. For information about advertising in The SCOUT call: (760) 433-7631.
Schooling: Please note, the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District wants all on-base families interested in home schooling to be aware that a Home Schooling Facility has opened at Mary Faye Pendleton school on base. This Home Schooling program runs for grades K-8 and children from all on-base family housing areas are eligible to enroll. A child does not have to live within the district's normal attendance boundaries.
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is helping schools and military installations provide information on the development and education of children from military families. There is a guide available to help you "Chart Your Course, Planning a Successful Journey Through High School and Beyond." Call (254) 953-1923 for more information or visit their website.
Alcoholic Beverages: Legal drinking age is 21 on and off base. Beer, wine and distilled spirits are sold by the package in any type of store or establishment which has an appropriate license. There are strict regulations on base concerning drinking and driving, zero tolerance.
Pets: The California Department of Health Services requires all dogs over four months old to have a certificate of current rabies vaccination stating the type, manufacturer, and lot number of rabies vaccine used and date of administration. All cities and counties in California have dog control ordinances. It is strongly recommended that all cats be rabies immunized. Cats, pet birds and pet rabbits must be healthy on admittance into the state. Parakeets may not be brought into the state for the purpose of sale. Pet ferrets are prohibited in California.
Plants: Houseplants in potting soil that are kept inside at all times are usually admissible into California. (Except indoors fruit plants.) All houseplants are subject to inspection at the state border for freedom of serious diseases and pests. Outdoor plants are usually not admissible. Some plants are carriers of specific plant diseases and are restricted by plant quarantines. No plants are admissible from Florida, Long Island, N.Y., Hidalgo and Cameron counties in Texas, due to certain infestations. For additional information, contact: California Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Plant, Health and Pest Prevention Services, 1220 "N" Street, Room A-372, Sacramento, CA 95814, or call (916) 653-1440. Also, all fruits and vegetables are subject to inspection at the state border for freedom of serious diseases and pests. Many fruits and vegetables are restricted/prohibited by plant quarantine. Check with your local State Agricultural Department for current California requirements or call the Arizona State Border.