Supporting the Relocation, Travel, and Lifestyle Needs of the American Military Family

TRAFFIC:  Virginia state traffic laws apply on facilities at the Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC).  Seat belts are mandatory;  child restraints/car seats are mandatory.  Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia.  The positive expectation of the Commanding Officer is that all active duty military, civilian employees working for the Navy, and contractor team members and support personnel will set a positive example through safe and courteous driving practices both on duty and off duty.  Safety refresher training is emphasized throughout the year, and two "Safety-Security Standown" evolutions are held each year, usually followed by a popular command picnic luncheon.

VEHICLE CHECKS:  All vehicles entering and leaving Navy facilities at SCSC are subject to search in accordance with the "Internal Security Act of 1950, Section 21, and 50 U.S.C., Section 797. Signs prominently posted at all entrance gates state:

WARNING
U. S. NAVY PROPERTY
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

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AUTHORIZED ENTRY ONTO THIS INSTALLATION CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO SEARCH OF PERSONNEL AND THE PROPERTY UNDER THEIR CONTROL.

INTERNAL SECURITY ACT OF 1950 SECTION 21; 50 U.S.C. 797

Weapons of any kind are forbidden on base;  this includes guns or knives that lock and/or are over 3" long.  For further information  please contact security at (757) 824-2037 / 2074.

Pass / ID  (site)
POC:  Security office.
Location:  BLDG R-30
Telephone:  757-824-2037/2074
Hours:  By appointment.

For personnel assigned to SCSC, base stickers are issued  by Security in Bldg. R-30.  You must bring ID card,  proof of insurance, vehicle registration, for a DoD sticker.

Drivers License/Vehicle Registration (State)
POC:  VA. Division of Motor Vehicles
ADDRESS:  ONANCOCK, VA. 23437
LOCATION:  20 North St.
TELEPHONE: 757- 787-5877

VIRGINIA DRIVER'S  LICENSE - If you are an active-duty member and stationed in Virginia, you , your spouse and dependent children who are 16 years of age or older may drive with a valid driver's license issued by your home state or country. Vehicles registered  in your name may be driven with a valid out -of-state license plate. If you choose to register your vehicle in Virginia you do not have to obtain a Virginia driver's license. NOTE:  Your spouse and dependent children, will be required to obtain  a Virginia driver's license within 30 days. If you possess a valid out of state license, take the license to a DMV office, surrender it and take a visual exam to obtain a Virginia license.  The fees range from $7.20 - $ 16.80 depending on the month and year of  birth. NEW LICENSE:  Those 16 to 18 years old must take a written, visual, and road examination, as well as show a legal I.D.  If  16 to 18 years old must also have completed classroom and behind the wheel driver education courses.  Those who are 18 to 19 years old must take the written, visual, and road test as well as complete a classroom driver education course.

CURRENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION:  Vehicles of Armed Forces personnel must be registered in their own names or in the names of their family members.

CITY ASSESSED TAXES:  Each city in Accomack County or the county itself assesses a Personal Property Tax on vehicles garaged in their city or town and registered in Virginia.

TAXES ON PERSONAL PROPERTY:  Taxes are assessed at a rate between 3.5% - 4.0% of
the value of the car.  This tax is annual.  The payment of  THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX CAN BE AVOIDED BY HAVING THE AUTOMOBILE REGISTERED ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBER IF THE SERVICE MEMBER IS AN OUT OF STATE RESIDENT. (There are other consequences of not registering a vehicle in both the husband and wife's name, and the advice of legal counsel is recommended prior to doing this only to "save taxes".  In case of death of the sole person listed as owning the car, the car then becomes part of the estate and the unlisted party may encounter problems in re-registering the vehicle, etc.  Seek legal advice!) When the city decal is obtained from the city's Commissioner of the Revenue office, information will automatically be available to the tax assessor on the status of your car's registration.  So, if you acquired your city decal as a military non-resident you will not receive a bill for taxes due.  You will receive a notification that requires the signature on the military non-resident and this must be mailed back to the Commissioner's office.
NOTE: IF YOUR CAR IS REGISTERED ,  TITLED AND TAGGED OUT OF STATE  AND YOU ARE AN OUT OF STATE RESIDENT ON ACTIVE DUTY,  YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY THE CITY PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX. IF  YOUR AUTOMOBILE IS TITLED TO SOMEONE IN ADDITION TO THE ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER, THEN THE TAX WILL BE ASSESSED IF YOU REGISTER YOUR CAR IN VIRGINIA.  ACTIVE DUTY OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS WHO REGISTER THEIR AUTOMOBILE IN VIRGINIA WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE CITY TAX, IF THE AUTO IS REGISTERED IN THEIR NAME ONLY.  *** IT WILL BE FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS TO ENSURE THAT THE AUTOMOBILE IS REGISTERED AND TITLED IN ONLY THE ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER'S NAME RIOR TO ARRIVING IN VIRGINIA.

City Decals: If you register your vehicle in Virginia, you must have a city sticker displayed on your vehicle windshield.  Active duty personnel whose vehicle is registered in another state (title, plates, registration) are not required to obtain a city decal.  Active duty non-residents of Virginia wishing to obtain a Virginia registration and plates will need to acquire a city decal. In this case ,  there is not a charge for the decal. To qualify for a waiver of the $15.00 - $25.00 fee,  a current  LES,letter from his/her command stating  non-residency,  or a copy of the prior years income tax return must be presented to the city/county treasurer's office. ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL WHOSE HOME OF RESIDENCE IS VIRGINIA WILL PAY A CITY DECAL FEE AND CITY PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.

EFFECTIVE SAFETY INSPECTION CERTIFICATES:  All vehicles registered in Virginia must have valid Virginia safety inspection stickers displayed on their windshield. Safety inspections in Virginia are required annually and cost $10.00.

INSURANCE:  Applicants must present evidence or appropriate certification of compliance with the Virginia Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act. The insurance must cover the vehicle  and the driver and be for the following minimum amounts:  Public liability in the amount of $25,000  (injury or death of one person) ;  $50,000 (injury of two or more persons) ;  $20,000 (property damage). Lesser amounts of  insurance are acceptable  provided they meet the minimum requirements of the state from which the registered owner of  the vehicle has been transferred. The lesser amounts will be acceptable only until the current policy has expired (in no case for a period greater than one year) ,  at which time the previously listed Virginia minimum requirements must be met. An applicant's signature on the vehicle registration form will be accepted as certification that the applicant possesses and will maintain these minimums.

CRIMINAL OFFENSE:  Virginia State, Federal and Military criminal codified laws apply at SCSC.  Personnel may be detained or apprehended by Security Force personnel for violating these laws and or released to civilian authorities.  They may be subject to military, civilian, or federal prosecution dependent on the status of the offender and the circumstances surrounding the offense.

CRIME STOP:  Call 824-1333 on base or 911 off base for a fast response from the Accomack County Sheriff for a crime in progress, such as an armed robbery or assault.  For crime prevention information or advice, contact Navy Security at 824-2037 or 2074.  Off base crime prevention information may be obtained from the following:

   Accomack County , VA Sheriff  757-787-1131
   Accomac, VA  23301   757-824-5666

   Northampton County, VA Sheriff  757-678-0458
   Eastville, VA  23347

   Chincoteague Town Police,   757-336-3155
   Chincoteague, VA 23336

   Worcester County Sheriff  410-548-4891
   Snow Hill, MD 21851

   Wicomico County Sheriff   410-548-4891
   Salisbury, MD 21801

   Salisbury  City Police    410-548-3165
   Salisbury, MD 21801

Restricted Areas:  SCSC is a tenant activity of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility (GSFC/WFF).  All active runways, taxiways, aircraft hangars, parking aprons, and other flightline areas on NASA GSFC/WFF main base are controlled and restricted areas.  Unauthorized personnel must avoid these areas and coordinate movement and access by obtaining an access badge from NASA Security at 757-824-1222.

SCSC has an ocean-front  facility located on Wallops Island, 10 miles from the NASA GSFC/WFF main base.  Access to this facility requires an access badge for all permanent party personnel and visitors.  All NASA launch facilities are controlled and access is prohibited to Navy personnel.  Navy personnel obtain badge authorization via the SCSC Security Office at 757-824-2037/2074.

Photography:  All photography within Navy buildings must be authorized in advance by the SCSC Public Affairs Officer for unclassified subjects at the main base and headquarters areas, and by the SCSC Security Manager for classified subjects or photography within designated restricted areas.

Installation :: Major Unit Listings

SCSC is the host Naval command at Wallops Island, VA.