LOCATION: Charleston, SC - The Lowcountry
Whether you're looking for a vacation, retirement or relocation destination, the charming historic seaport of Charleston, S.C. has something for everyone. Charleston offers the easy pace of a southern coastal community and the sophistication of the Old World.
HISTORY: Commissioned in 1941, the Station had two distinct missions: as home for two strategic submarine squadrons and a tender, and as an ordnance station with capacity for more than 60 million pounds conventional ordnance. The ordnance mission continues today, and Naval Weapons Station Charleston is the only military installation in the continental U.S. with completely unencumbered explosive safety arcs. The Weapons Station has expanded its mission and DoD support role, and today is a training center, with the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Nuclear Power Training Unit and other tenants as listed above.
MISSION: To enable warfighter readiness by providing superior host and technical services through ordnance operations, facilities management and waterfront operations.
POPULATION SERVED: Naval Weapons Station Charleston is home to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Nuclear Power Training Unit and Border Patrol Satellite Academy; an engineering center, with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center and nearby Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command; and as the Army logistics hub, the busiest CONUS surface port in the defense transportation system.
SPONSORSHIP: Do you have a sponsor? A sponsor is someone from your new command who is assigned to assist with settling into your new location. If you have not been assigned a sponsor, or have not been contacted as of yet, you may request one by contacting the commander of your new command or by using the Sponsor Assignment Aid on the Stay Navy web site.Each separate tenant command is responsible for their own sponsorship program. For more information or to obtain a sponser please contact the individual administrative offices. For Naval Weapons Station sponsors contact the NWS administrative office for more details.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS: The following temporary lodging is available for visiting individuals or newly relocating
Housing has two 3-br townhouses available: Reservations (843)764-7228.
Distinguished Visitor Suite: available to military personnel E-9, 0-5 and above, and civilian equivalent personnel on official government travel orders paygrades W1-04, E-9 & retired personnel are houses on a space available basis $19/night for mil; 4.75/night additional for others over 18 yrs old
Visitor Suite: military personnel E-4 & above and civilian personnel on official government travel orders retired personnel space available $18/night for mil; 4.50/night additional for others over 18 yrs old
MWR has 4 3-br available: Reservations (843) 764-2120
$60/night but $55/night for active duty military; $350 for a week.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: New to Charleston? Did you receive a Welcome Aboard Package? If not, you may obtain an electronic Welcome Aboard Package (eWAP) by logging onto the Fleet and Family Support Center's website. Area information/brochures are also available for pick up at your FFSC once you arrive. In addition, you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to attend the NWS Base Orientation. Representatives from several offices (Legal, Naval Federal Credit Union, Personnel Support Detachment, Fleet & Family Support Center, Chapel, etc., are there to answer your questions. Great information for all. Hope to see you soon! Call the Fleet & Family Support Center for details of dates, time and place.
Need answers to your questions? Fleet and Family Support Center's Information and Referral Specialist can help with general information, phone numbers, and points-of-contact for civilian and military resources such as Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), child care, employment, housing, immigration, food resources, and financial planning. We are your connection to information for Charleston area bases and communities.
The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) provides information and referral, relocation assistance, employment assistance, counseling, Loaner Closet Program, and various programs to assist commands in achieving operational readiness. Service members and their families are encouraged to use our FFSC office.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION:
Check in Proceedures: During normal duty hours, report to the Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) building 302. Arrival after normal duty hours, holidays and weekend, report to the NWS Quarterdeck. The Quarterdeck can also help if you get lost or need assistance. Normal duty hours are 0700 to 1600.
The Fleet and Family Support Centers' personnel look forward to welcoming you and assisting in any way they can. Welcome aboard!