Response:  Military members are a critical part of the DMA workforce.  All military billets will transfer to the DMA on October 1, 2008, during the consolidation-in-place phase.  The billets at AFNEWS (San Antonio), AFIS (Alexandria), SMC (Crystal City) and NMC (Anacostia) will move to Fort Meade in 2011.  Additionally, a few positions will be located in the Pentagon at the DMA Pentagon Bureau.

Whether a military member moves to Ft. Meade depends on several factors, including specialty, time on station, and rotation dates.  Since DMA will assume responsibility for each Service’s and AFIS’s print, broadcast and some web elements worldwide, there will be a good chance that individuals  will have an opportunity to PCS to the DMA---if not in 2011, then at some point later.

A team of Military Personnel representatives from each Service Media Activity and AFIS is planning the transition from the October 1, 2008, consolidation-in-place through the move to Ft Meade in 2011.  This includes establishing when routine PCS actions to and from the Service Media Activity will stop, and when incoming personnel will be ordered to PCS to the DMA at Ft Meade.  When these decisions are finalized, we will distribute the information in a timely manner.

Response:  The standard tour length for DoD military assignments in CONUS is 36 months.  However, the Air Force extended CONUS assignment tour lengths to 48 months to help save PCS costs, and Air Force members assigned under DoD are subject to this policy.  

Military members assigned to OCONUS units will continue to serve based on established tour length requirements by the specific Service, e.g., 36 month tours for Germany.

Military members assigned to the DMA will have the opportunity to request a 1-year extension prior to the end of their tour through the DMA Military Personnel staff.  Extension requests, while routine, are not automatically approved.  In addition, members will still be able to request Consecutive Overseas Tour assignments and may be considered for the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program depending on Service requirements.  (Reference: DoD Instruction 1315.18, “Procedures for Military Personnel Assignments,” January 12, 2005)

Response:  Service members under OSD may request an early release any time before the end of their tour. However, as we approach the 2011 move to Fort Meade, all assignments will be carefully reviewed to determine if critical specialties are needed to stand-up the DMA at Ft Meade. Follow-on assignments for personnel not moving will be carefully coordinated with each Service. Service members will be notified through their chain of command if early departures will be required to accommodate the move of the organization.

Response:  All military personnel issued new orders to DMA at Ft. Meade will be authorized BAH at the Ft. Meade rates. For personnel currently receiving BAH at NCR rates, a waiver process exists that could allow the NCR rate to continue. We are reviewing the requirement of this process to determine if it may apply to our personnel. As soon as a determination is made, we will inform you through the chain-of-command and by posting information to the DMA website.

Response:  The medical center on Fort Meade will provide services to military members assigned to the DMA. Please visit http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/pages/medical.html for information. In addition, there are many other military medical facilities in the area, such as Walter-Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews AFB in Maryland, and DeWitt Army Community Hospital at Ft Belvoir, Virginia.

Response:  For child care, you may view Ft Meade’s childcare center information at http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/pages/cdc/cdc.html. Other accommodations will need to be worked out with individual supervisors. As more information becomes available, we will inform you through the chain-of-command and by postings to the DMA website.

Response:  We will be working with the Ft Meade Garrison Commander and AAFES to advise them of the additional level of military support required for the influx of DMA personnel in 2011, to include increasing military clothing stock. As more information becomes available, we will inform you through the chain-of-command and by posting to the DMA website.

Response:  A team of Military Personnel representatives from each Service Media Activity and AFIS is working to develop how military personnel servicing will function, to include who will maintain military service records. As information is developed, we will inform you through the chain-of command and by postings to the DMA website.

Response:  DMA is committed to supporting DoD and Service leadership and our audiences without any reduction in service, before, during and after the transfer to Ft. Meade. Accordingly, bridging potential gaps in the workforce created by the temporary shortage of critical skills is one of the most important tasks facing the transition. We will make every effort to keep as many of our employees as possible and encourage them to become part of the new, challenging, and exciting venture that is the DMA. However, we are also engaging the services of experienced personnel experts to help us develop plans to bridge critical skill gaps. Although not yet developed, we anticipate that such plans are likely to include a variety of complimentary initiatives, such as retention bonuses, encouraging our retiring military to remain with DMA as civilian employees, aggressive recruiting efforts, and the temporary use of contract employees as required.

Response:  All permanent employees of AFIS, AFNEWS, NMC, SMC, and MC News are assured of positions with DMA. Many of these will be substantially (if not exactly) the same as their current positions and may indeed transfer “as is”. There also will be opportunities for employees to compete for other positions that will broaden their experience and increase their pay potential. These opportunities will be announced on the DMA website at www.dma.mil and on the Office of Personnel Management website at www.usajobs.gov. In addition, all vacancies will be disseminated to the DMA workforce via email announcements.

Response:  Until October 1, current positions within AFIS, AFNEWS, SMC, NMC, and MC News will continue to be filled using local procedures. Job announcements are now being shared among all components to provide better visibility. In addition, a limited number of DMA headquarters positions are being filled under separate DMA hiring procedures. These are being announced on the DMA website at www.dma.mil and on the Office of Personnel Management website at www.usajobs.gov. After October 1, all new job opportunities, regardless of their geographic location, will be announced on the DMA website and the Office of Personnel Management website. In addition to these websites, all vacancies will be disseminated to the DMA workforce via email announcements.

Response:  DMA is very interested in retaining as many of our valued and experienced employees as possible as we move to Ft. Meade. Fortunately, there are a number of special appointment authorities available to assist us in this process. If you are approaching military retirement and wish to remain with DMA, you should inform your supervisor and others in your DMA chain-of-command of your interest well in advance of your retirement date. In addition, you should regularly review the DMA website at www.dma.mil and the OPM job website at www.usajobs.gov and apply for those jobs in which you are interested. In addition to these websites, all vacancies will be disseminated to the DMA workforce via e-mail announcements.

Response:  Civilian employees will not take a cut in pay when they relocate to Ft. Meade from the Washington, DC metropolitan area inside the Beltway, since both are within what is called the “National Capital Region” for locality pay adjustment purposes (currently 20.89%). A list of the localities comprising the NCR can be found at www.opm.gov/oca/08tables/locdef.asp. Military personnel relocating to Ft. Meade from inside the Beltway will be authorized BAH at the Ft. Meade rates. For personnel currently receiving BAH at higher rates, a waiver process exists that could allow their current rate to continue. We are reviewing the requirement of this process to determine if it may apply to our personnel. As soon as a determination is made, we will inform you through the chain-of-command and by posting information to the DMA website.

Response:  The higher cost of living in the NCR is compensated by the 20.89% locality pay adjustment, officially known as the “local market supplement”, or LMS. Once a target organizational structure is determined for the consolidation of headquarters and associated operations at Ft. Meade, we will undertake a comprehensive review to ensure that all civilian positions within that structure are accurately and equitably classified in the appropriate job series and pay band.

Response:  DMA is not currently resourced to pay retention bonuses. However, this is one of the options we are examining as a means of ensuring continuity of operations and maintaining quality of service during the transition period. If a shortfall in key and critical positions or skills is anticipated and funding can be secured, retention bonuses targeted to the positions or skills involved may be offered. In this event, information regarding bonus eligibility and terms will be provided to the DMA workforce.

Response:  DMA’s overall goal is to retain as many of our valued employees as possible as we transition to Ft. Meade. However, it is possible that we will find it prudent to offer VERA/VSIP or other “buy-out” options on a limited basis to adjust workforce levels for a few selected positions or skills during the realignment of DMA activities and personnel to Ft. Meade. If the decision is made to offer these options, details of the program will be provided to the DMA workforce. Employees who decide not to move to Ft. Meade will be eligible for enrollment in formal outplacement programs, such as the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP), the Reemployment Priority List (RPL), and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), provided Ft. Meade is outside of their commuting area. In addition, we plan to offer job search assistance to all employees desiring to seek other employment closer to home.

Response:  DMA must sustain on-going operations and meet the requirements of our customers with a high level of service.  To achieve this end, we will strive to retain as much of our skilled and trained workforce as possible.  In fact, DMA employees who transfer to Ft. Meade from the San Antonio area will see an increase to their Local Market Supplement (for 2008 that is a 7.7% increase--currently 20.89% in the Ft Meade area and only 13.18% in the San Antonio area).  However, even with this increase, we understand that some employees will choose not to join DMA at Ft. Meade.  The decision to request one additional year of PPP registration will be made by the Director, DMA, in consultation with the DMA human resources staff.  If such a decision is made, the Director will send the request to the DoD Civilian Assistance and Re-employment office for approval. This will be reviewed at the appropriate time and when the Director, DMA and the human resources staff are in place.

Response:  Employees relocating from AFNEWS in San Antonio, TX are entitled to PCS costs, because their work location is moving more than 50 miles. DMA has not been funded to provide PCS assistance for other DMA employees. However, at the discretion of the Director, DMA, and subject to the availability of funds, payment for PCS assistance may be made in those instances where doing so is in the best interests of the government and consistent with mission requirements (e.g. to maintain continuity of operations and quality or level of service). This issue is currently being studied. If a decision is made to offer expanded PCS assistance, information regarding eligibility, terms, and the level of the assistance will be provided to the DMA workforce.

Response:  DMA intends to take advantage of telecommuting, compressed work schedules, and flextime in those instances where doing so is consistent with mission accomplishment, sound management practices, and the interests of our employees. These options are currently used by a number of organizations merging to form DMA. We are still very early in the planning process and specific policies and guidelines for these programs have yet to be developed. We will provide the details to the DMA workforce as soon as they are available.

Response:  We will receive certain civilian personnel services support from the Defense Logistics Agency Human Resources Center, in Columbus, OH, and certain military personnel services from Washington Headquarters Services, located in the Pentagon. However, DMA will have its own robust Human Resources Office, which will be staffed with professional specialists to personally assist our employees and to answer any questions they may have. We are currently in the process of recruiting the Director for this office. Once on board, the Director will organize and staff the office to meet the specific needs of DMA employees and managers. The names and contact information of staff members, including those providing employee services, will be disseminated to the DMA workforce as soon as they are available.

Response:  Employees who decline to follow the organization to Ft. Meade, will be eligible for enrollment in formal outplacement programs, such as the DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP), the Reemployment Priority List (RPL), and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), provided Ft. Meade is outside of their commuting area. In addition, we plan to offer job search assistance to all employees desiring to seek other employment closer to home.

Response:  The recommendation to consolidate Media Activities, create a new Defense Activity and move some of its components to Fort Meade was made only after thorough analysis and well-vetted consideration of the alternatives. All Services and representation from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, were part of the decision making process. Many may believe that Fort Meade was selected as the home of the new Defense Media Activity solely because it is the location of the Defense Information School. In actuality, many criteria were used in determining the optimal location, to include cost and return on investment, adequacy of infrastructure, number of buildable acres, and proximity to the National Capital Region.

Response:  We expect to determine the future (2011) organizational structure by this fall. Two factors affect the decision process. First, on April 21, 2008, the DMA Transition Team contracted for organizational analysis and design advisory and assistance services and we are currently negotiating a delivery schedule for this work. Second, the newly hired DMA Director will be involved in determining the future organizational structure. The process to hire the DMA Director is well underway and will parallel the organizational design study effort. A Director should be in place this summer. A parallel task is to determine an interim organizational structure to bridge the period between 2009 and the move to Fort Meade in 2011.

Response:  As a component of the DMA, the Pentagon Channel will function under the overall direction, authority and control of the Director, DMA, and will participate on an equal footing with the other DMA components in DMA’s management and decision-making processes. In addition, the DMA will function under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, ASD (PA), with the assistance of a Defense Media Oversight Board (DMOB), chaired by the ASD (PA) and consisting of the Director, DMA, the four Service Chiefs of Public Affairs, and Special Assistant for Public Affairs to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Representatives of the Service visual information communities will participate in the deliberations of the DMOB when visual information matters are addressed. In accordance with DoD Directive 5105.74, dated December 18, 2007, the mission of the DMOB is to “Advise and assist the ASD (PA) and the Director, DMA on matters under DMA cognizance to ensure that DMA policies, priorities, and programs properly reflect DoD-wide and Military Service-unique messages and strategic communications requirements.” The selection of the Director, DMA will not be influenced by any DMA component. The selection will be made by the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, with the assistance of an evaluation panel chaired by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Media Operations) and consisting of two other members: a representative from the OSD Executive Resources Board, whose role is to ensure the merit process is followed and that the selection process is fair and equitable; and the Head of a DoD Field Activity that is not affiliated with the public affairs or media community.

Response:  The NSPS provides supervisors several ways to compensate those who are “stepping up to the plate,” and supervisors at AFNEWS have used these authorities to reward civilian personnel for their additional effort. During a recent vacancy at AFNEWS, a civilian employee voluntarily picked up additional duties to fill in until a permanent selection was made. The employee, who “stepped up to the plate” to fill a position until a replacement was hired, was recognized for the three months of service with a monetary “Special Act or Service Award.” To alleviate staffing shortages, AFNEWS will be hiring three over hires in order to staff key mission positions.

Response:  By DoD Charter Directive, DMA is assigned Department of Defense-wide responsibility for entry level and professional broadcasting training. This mission will be accomplished by the Defense Information School, not by the DMA headquarters, so the organization will have need of your field training skills. We believe that DMA will be an interesting and exciting place to work and encourage you, and all personnel scheduled to transfer to DMA, to do so. However, we realize that the decision to remain with DMA is a personal one that involves consideration of many factors. We would encourage you to look into the opportunities the DMA has to offer before making your decision.

Response:  One of DMA’s fundamental guiding principles is taking care of our people. Accordingly, all employees will be treated fairly and equitably as we fill new positions in the organization. Consequently, a Merit Staffing policy is in place to ensure that all hiring actions are open, transparent, and filled in accordance with the law and this policy. In addition, the BRAC process includes protections for employees whose functions are transferring to the new organization as a result of a BRAC realignment.

Response:  Consolidation in FY 2009 allows the DMA Director time to prepare resources, processes and the organization for the move to Fort Meade rather than attempting to accomplish all this in 2011. One of the lessons learned in BRAC 2005 is that consolidating multiple organizations like the Service media organizations and AFIS requires unity of effort and centralized planning. Until these organizations are consolidated under a single responsible leader, we will not benefit from unity of direction.

Response:  The DMA Human Resources Office will develop a plan to match positions and personnel following establishment of the DMA organizational structure. We anticipate this will take place beginning in FY 2009. The plan will be coordinated with heads of components that are being merged into DMA and approved by the Director, DMA. In the third quarter 2008, the DMA Transition Team will contract for human resources advisory and assistance services. These services include developing a human resources plan for transitioning Military Department and AFIS positions and personnel to the DMA. Once the DMA Director decides final and interim organizational structures, positions and personnel will be matched to the organization. Current organizations will remain until changed by the DMA Director or the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs).

Response:  A number of efficiencies are expected to result from the consolidation of like functions in DMA, especially after the relocation of our Arlington, Anacostia, Alexandria, and San Antonio operations to Ft. Meade. However, since a major focus of the DMA establishment has been to enhance mission capability, our intent is to reinvest any projected savings into improving the quality and responsiveness of DMA products and services. We are committed to ensuring that all DMA employees who move to Ft. Meade have a position of at least the same grade/pay band and level of responsibility they held before the consolidation. Beyond that, we expect that the consolidation and associated mission enhancements will provide all DMA employees with broader career options and increased opportunity for professionally exciting and rewarding work experiences.

Response:  There will be some opportunities for DMA employees to work at Ft. Meade before September 2011. However, workspace at that location is very scarce, so the number will be limited. Current plans call for the establishment of a small DMA cell at Ft. Meade in 2009 to oversee construction of the new DMA building. As construction nears completion, the cell will be expanded to include a limited number of advanced party personnel who will be responsible for certifying the readiness and mission support capabilities of the facility and for coordinating the phased movement and reception of equipment and personnel.

Response:  Probably the best way to become familiar with other organizations merging to form DMA is to explore their websites.  Here are the websites of organizations moving to Ft. Meade:

Soldier’s Media Center
Naval Media Center
Air Force News Agency
American Forces Information Service
Marine Corps News
Pentagon Channel       

The following organizations will become part of DMA, but remain in their current location:   

AFN Europe
AFN Korea
DINFOS
DMC
Stars & Stripes

These links will be added to the DMA website Related Sites tab.

Response:  Up to this point there has not been much information to release, but our intention is to share all newsworthy developments with the entire workforce, using a variety of means. These include the chain-of-command, periodic town hall meetings, formal memoranda from decision-makers, and the DMA website. In fact, the primary purpose of the website is to keep our employees and their families aware of the most recent developments. In addition, the site includes a feature that enables users to forward their questions directly to the DMA Transition Team. We are currently in the process of redesigning the site to improve its utility in this regard to the workforce and we encourage you to provide any suggestions.

Response:  The first round of Town Hall meetings was completed in March, with the exception of the Defense Media Center. This summer we will begin a second round of Town Hall meetings, which will inform participants of Phase II planning, and activities pertaining to the October 1 transfer of resources and personnel to the DMA. Both civilian and military personnel experts will be available to answer questions at the next round of meetings.

Response:  Details about DMA operations will emerge when an organizational structure is determined and when the Director, DMA, is selected. The Director will decide among operations options developed by the DMA Transition Team Working Groups.

Response:  DMA will maintain a presence in the Pentagon, Though the make-up of that presence is not yet decided, it will likely form a News Bureau and consist of representatives of The Pentagon Channel; AFPS/Electronic Media; New Media; DVI/DIMOC; and the Services.

Response:  Discussion of the DMA structure can be found in the DMA Questionnaire Responses in the Management and Organization section, under DMA Organizational structure.

Essentially, the structure is being studied and will be finalized later this year. The broadcasting organization and functions within DMA are being developed by planning teams and working groups representing AFIS and the Military Departments. Changes to the organization and functions will be gradually phased-in and will be standardized and implemented for DMA broadcasting through a comprehensive plan. Initially (starting Oct. 1, 2008) the only change that you will see is the name DMA added to the organization. The reporting chain for all service broadcasting organizations and personnel will initially remain as they are today. The planned organizational and functional changes will be described and discussed by the DMA leadership with "all hands" at future town hall meetings.

Response:  Commuting to Ft. Meade and affordable housing in the Ft. Meade area are the two primary employee concerns expressed in the DMA questionnaire responses. The DMA, the Defense Information Systems Agency, and Adjudication Activities are working with Ft. Meade and the State of Maryland to establish a shuttle bus system, which will pick up employees in at least two convenient locations in Northern Virginia and transport them to Ft. Meade. This project is still in the planning stage and no decision has been made. However, if implemented, the objective is to make this type of commute as attractive as possible and encourage employees to use this service. Success of this initiative is important to the DMA. Several months prior to the relocation to Ft. Meade, we will canvas employees in order to locate the most convenient pick-up points. For another method of commuting, DMA will work to implement the DoD Mass Transit Subsidy Program at Ft. Meade.

Response:  The DMA move to Ft. Meade is required under the BRAC statute. We would like all current employees to accompany the organization when it relocates to the new, state-of-the-art Headquarters building at that location. We believe it will be an interesting and exciting place to work. However, we understand that this is a very personal decision that requires consideration of several factors. Our intention is to provide as much information as possible so you can make a fully informed decision. In addition to expanding the information or our web site, we plan to hold fairs featuring presentations and displays from State, County and local governments, schools, and civic organizations, such as the Ft. Meade Alliance, Maryland Sub-Cabinet on BRAC, and the Anne Arundel and Howard County chambers of commerce. As construction of the new DMA facility progresses, we also plan to provide opportunities for you to visit the site and get acquainted with the surrounding communities. The DoD is also working with various transportation authorities to provide convenient access to Ft. Meade via public transportation in order to ease the commute to and from work.

Response:  The parking space count is based on a formula used by the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The formula defines the number of spaces as 60% of the number of building occupants, plus an additional 10% for visitors, or 464 spaces (663 occupants x 70%). Added to that are organizational vehicles (20) for a grand total of 484 passenger automobile spaces. DMA will also have parking for 10 oversize organizational vehicles figured into the total parking space count. This should provide adequate parking for those driving to work.

Response:  No. DMA distributed a single questionnaire to all current military and civilian employees, estimated at about 460 employees, whose positions will relocate to Ft. Meade. Responses were received from 320 employees. The questionnaire contains 22 questions. The path through the questionnaire varied based on one primary answer: “Do you plan to transfer with your position to Ft. Meade in 2011?” An answer of “Yes,” “No,” or “Undecided” led the employee to a slightly different set of questions. For example, if an employee plans to retire, the questionnaire did not take them to questions about housing, schools, or related topics, therefore making the questionnaire much shorter. Data analysis of questionnaire results is underway. Results will be presented to management and be available to all DMA employees by late-spring or early-summer. Concurrently, we are developing responses to issues submitted in the section on opened-ended questions near the end of the questionnaire. The first set of responses is available on the DMA website.

Response:  The questionnaire addressed only military and Federal civilian employees. The Federal government contracts with commercial firms for specific services. As such, each firm is responsible for meeting its contractual obligations to provide a specific number of employees to work at DMA. Since the government contracts with the firms, not their individual employees, the contract workforce was not included in the questionnaire. This said, we look forward to contract employees continuing their contribution as part of the DMA workforce at Ft. Meade.

Response:  Home prices in the Ft. Meade area vary considerably.  Housing market prices have recently fallen about 20%, which has made purchase of a home an attractive option.  This bodes well for housing opportunities across all price ranges and localities in proximity to Ft. Meade.  The Maryland Association of Realtors is a good resource for potential buyers and renters (www.mdrealtor.org)

For civilian employees, the locality pay adjustment for the National Capital Region is higher than many other areas in the U.S, at 20.89%. 

In the fall, the Ft. Meade Alliance will sponsor a real estate expo in Arlington or Alexandria.  When a date is set, we will forward the information.  We will plan a similar event at a later time for San Antonio.

We recently distributed a pamphlet that describes the various localities from which to choose to all DMA offices with employees who will transfer to Ft. Meade.  Additional brochures are available at those offices for new employees.  More information related to the pamphlet can be found at www.meadewelcome.com.  Additional information sources are listed below:

Fort Meade Alliance
http://www.ftmeadealliance.org/

Maryland BRAC
http://www.choosemaryland.org/businessinmd/militaryaffairs/militaryaffairs.html

Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
http://www.choosemaryland.org/

Anne Arundel County
http://www.aacounty.org/

Howard County
http://www.co.ho.md.us/
http://www.visithowardcounty.com/

Prince Georges County
http://www.co.pg.md.us

Baltimore City
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us

Baltimore County
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov

Odenton, MD
http://www.city-data.com/city/Odenton-Maryland.html
http://www.odenton.org/
http://www.wunderground.com/US/MD/Odenton.html

Response:  While a significant number of DoD employees may move to the Ft. Meade area, the depressed housing situation will likely make it a “buyers” market. The general consensus of financial and economic reports, including a local real estate firm, is that market conditions favor buyers at this time and for the foreseeable future.

Response:  Military service members, federal employees and military retirees may rent on-post housing. The available housing inventory is limited to what is not needed for military members and, therefore, availability varies.  A contact at the Picerne Leasing and Relocation Center, 410-305-1258, suggests that applications for housing be submitted about six months ahead of a planned move.  Call or visit the Picerne Center, located across from the Post Exchange and Bank off of Reece Road, to obtain a current application.  (The application currently online (July 2008) is out of date.) 

Civilians, retirees, and active duty military can obtain off-post housing information by visiting the Housing Services Office located at 4463 Leonard Wood Ave. or call 301-677-7748.

Please visit this website for additional housing information:

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/pages/rci/rci_main.html

Response:  Between now and our move to Ft. Meade, there will be several venues to disseminate information to all employees.  In August and September, we will hold town meetings at AFNEWS, AFIS, DMC, NMC, and SMC to update the staff and answer questions.  In the fall, the Ft. Meade Alliance plans to hold a real estate expo in the Alexandria/Arlington area.  Live Baltimore and the Ft. Meade Alliance plan a similar event at AFNEWS.  We will plan other events to help staff become familiar with all aspects of the Ft. Meade vicinity.

We will work to have county school officials present information on their school systems.  To assist with gathering information on schools, please visit the Maryland State Department of Education web site that directly links to all Maryland local education agencies:

www.marylandpublicschools.org/msde/schoolsystems/system_links_county.htm.

Response:  The State of Maryland has upgraded Route 32 on the south side of Ft. Meade to a four-lane, divided highway.  The State also constructed traffic circles at the intersection of Route 32 and Route 198 and at the entrance to Ft. Meade to improve the flow of traffic.

The Maryland Department of Transportation has planned a short-term (to be completed by 2011) Intersection Improvement Program, which will improve priority intersections.  The intersections are based on their proximity to Ft. Meade and future traffic operations.  They are

MD 174 @ MD 713 (Rockenback Road)
MD 175 @ MD 174 (Reece Road)
MD 175 @ Mapes Road
MD 175 @ Max Blobs Park Road/Clark Road
MD 175 @ Disney Road
MD 174 @ Severn Road

For the long-term, Maryland Routes 175 and 198 are under study for the type major improvements and when they will occur.  As soon as decisions are made, we will send out the information. 

The Ft Meade Internal Transportation study is on-going for improvements within Ft. Meade, including improved gate access.  Recommendations from the study will be analyzed for implementation.  This information will be made available when we receive it.

The DMA parking lot will accommodate 464 employee/visitor vehicles.  No parking garages are planned at this time.

Response:  Ft. Meade has an RV park that can be found at www.ftmeademwr.com/outdoor/campmeade.htm, phone 301-677-6196.  The park is open to military personnel, civilian employees, and retired employees.

Other references include RV Park Reviews at www.rvparkreviews.com, and KOA campgrounds at www.koa.com.

Response:  For ID badges, CAC cards are sufficient for military, civilian, and contractor employees to enter Ft. Meade.  For those without CAC cards, e.g. family members, visitors, a valid driver’s license is acceptable. 

Please visit the Visitor Control Center webpage at www.ftmeade.army.mil/pages/vcc/vcc.html for vehicle registration information.  The VCC is located at the main gate on Route 175, Building 902, phone 301-677-1064.  For visits to Ft. Meade for up to two days, no vehicle decals will be issued; a picture ID is required.