PCS to JEB Little Creek-Fort Story and NAS Oceana Dam Neck: Life in Virginia Beach

Installation Overview

JEBLC-FS was established in 2009 as the first joint base in Hampton Roads — one command operating two distinct properties: JEB Little Creek (Virginia Beach, on the Chesapeake Bay) and JEB Fort Story (located at the northern tip of Virginia Beach near Cape Henry). Together they support Navy, Marine Corps, and Army missions and anchor the broader Hampton Roads military ecosystem.

Major Commands and Missions at JEBLC-FS

Location and Getting Around

JEB Little Creek sits in the northern section of Virginia Beach, directly on the Chesapeake Bay, about 12 miles from downtown Norfolk. JEB Fort Story is approximately 8 miles northeast at the northern tip of Virginia Beach, adjacent to Cape Henry. The two properties are connected by Atlantic Avenue through the Virginia Beach resort corridor.

Traffic is real here. The Hampton Roads tunnel system (Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and Downtown Tunnel) creates significant congestion during rush hour. If you’re considering living in Hampton or Newport News for lower housing costs, budget 45–60+ minutes each way during peak hours. Most JEBLC-FS families choose to live in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or Norfolk to keep commutes manageable.

Gate Access

Housing at JEB Little Creek–Fort Story

Virginia Beach has a competitive housing market, especially during peak PCS season (May–August). The good news: your BAH is designed to cover the local market, and there are strong options both on and off post. On-post housing has waitlists, so start the process the moment your orders drop.

On-Base Housing

On-post family housing at JEBLC-FS is privatized and managed by two companies depending on which side of the installation you’re assigned to:

Lincoln Military Housing operates seven communities in the Virginia Beach area, including Osprey Point, Port Lyautey, Sandpiper Crescent, Shelton Circle, and Wellings Court (2156 Wellings Court, Virginia Beach, VA 23455 — (757) 578-9051). Homes range from two to five bedrooms with spacious floor plans and community amenities including playgrounds, fitness centers, and walking trails.

Unaccompanied Housing: E-1 through E-3 and E-4 with fewer than three years of service are typically required to live in barracks. The unaccompanied housing building is located at Building 300, JEBLC-FS, VA 23459 — phone (757) 462-4860. Rooms house one or two personnel depending on pay grade, with shared lounges, laundry, and vending machines across eight barracks buildings.

Off-Base Neighborhoods

Virginia Beach offers excellent variety — from beachfront neighborhoods to quiet suburban communities inland. Here’s a breakdown of where JEBLC-FS families most commonly settle:

2026 BAH Rates — JEB Little Creek–Fort Story

JEBLC-FS falls under the Virginia Beach–Norfolk Military Housing Area. For 2026, BAH rates increased 3.5% from 2025 — JEBLC-FS ranks 10th highest among all joint bases nationally. Service members with dependents receive 20.2% more BAH than those without. For the official DoD calculator, visit DTMO’s BAH Calculator. For a full guide, see our 2026 BAH rates guide.

2026 Enlisted BAH Rates

2026 Warrant Officer BAH Rates

2026 Officer BAH Rates

Medical Care at JEB Little Creek–Fort Story

Primary medical care for JEBLC-FS personnel is provided through the Boone Branch Health Clinic, a branch of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. The full Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) — one of the Navy’s premier medical centers — is approximately 20 minutes away and handles specialty care, surgery, inpatient services, and complex cases.

Boone Branch Health Clinic (On-Post — Little Creek)

For specialty care, inpatient services, or emergencies: Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is the full-service military hospital for this region. For all TRICARE questions and the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line, call 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.

Schools Near JEB Little Creek–Fort Story

There are no DoDEA schools at JEBLC-FS. All families are served by Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) — one of the most highly rated large school districts in Virginia and the largest in Hampton Roads, serving nearly 65,000 students across 86 schools.

VBCPS is fully accredited and outperforms many Virginia school districts on state assessments: 69% of students are proficient in math and 78% in reading. The district has a strong military family liaison program and a Youth Sponsorship program that matches incoming students with current students to ease the transition. Contact VBCPS at (757) 263-1000 or 2512 George Mason Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

Schools Near JEB Little Creek

For private school options near Little Creek, Cape Henry Collegiate (1320 Mill Dam Road, (757) 481-2446) and Catholic High School (4552 Princess Anne Road, (757) 467-2881) are two well-regarded options popular with military families. Contact the School Liaison Office for enrollment guidance, records transfer support, and EFMP school coordination.

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

CDC waitlists can be long — register at MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as you have orders. Do not wait until you arrive.

On-Post Facilities and Key Contacts

In-Processing at JEB Little Creek–Fort Story

Before You Arrive

• Contact your gaining command’s administrative office or sponsor as soon as orders are received to get in-processing instructions and a welcome aboard packet
• Submit household goods shipment at move.mil as early as possible — summer PCS season in Hampton Roads is competitive, and movers book up fast
• Contact Lincoln Military Housing at (757) 802-3390 (Navy personnel) or Balfour Beatty at (757) 962-3511 (Fort Story) immediately to get on the on-post housing waitlist
• Register for childcare at MilitaryChildCare.com — CDC waitlists here can run several months
• EFMP families: Virginia Beach City Public Schools has strong special education services; contact the FFSC at (757) 462-7563 to start the coordination process before you arrive

Day-of In-Processing

• Report to your gaining command for check-in; most in-processing is command-specific rather than centralized at a newcomers center
• Update your ID/CAC card at Personnel Support (757) 462-4983 (Little Creek) or (757) 422-7752 (Fort Story)
• Register vehicles for base access at the appropriate security forces office upon arrival
• Connect with the Fleet & Family Support Center (757) 462-7563 early — they offer newcomer orientations, spouse employment resources, and financial counseling

Use our PCS Binder and Checklist to track every action from orders to final in-processing — it works for Navy, Marine Corps, and Army personnel.

Spouse Employment and Career Resources

Virginia Beach is one of the strongest military spouse employment markets on the East Coast. The local economy is anchored by defense contracting, healthcare, tourism, retail, and education — all sectors that actively hire military spouses. The Fleet and Family Support Center at (757) 462-7563 offers resume workshops, career coaching, networking events, and access to the SECO (Spouse Education and Career Opportunities) program at no cost.

Defense contractors (Booz Allen, SAIC, Leidos, L3Harris, and dozens of others) maintain a major presence in Hampton Roads and actively recruit cleared military spouses. Check USAJobs.gov filtered to Virginia Beach and Norfolk for federal positions. For remote work, Virginia Beach’s broadband infrastructure is solid and the time zone (ET) works well for national employers.

Things to Do in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads

This is genuinely one of the best quality-of-life duty stations in the military. Virginia Beach delivers year-round outdoor living, a thriving food and arts scene, and easy access to everything from Civil War battlefields to offshore fishing charters.

Beach and Water

• Virginia Beach Oceanfront — 35 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach, boardwalk, restaurants, and summer festivals; active duty military get discounted or free parking at many city facilities
• First Landing State Park — hiking, kayaking, camping, and freshwater fishing right at the tip of Virginia Beach; one of the state’s most visited parks
• Chick’s Beach (Chesapeake Bay side) — calm water, sunset views, and a laid-back bar and restaurant scene popular with military families near Little Creek
• Sandbridge Beach — quieter, more remote Atlantic beach south of the resort strip; popular for surf fishing, beach bonfires, and vacation rental getaways

History and Culture

• Military Aviation Museum (Virginia Beach) — one of the world’s largest private collections of WWI and WWII military aircraft; flying demonstrations on weekends
• Cape Henry Lighthouse (on Fort Story grounds) — site of the first English landing in America in 1607; admission available to the public and military families
• Colonial Williamsburg (~50 miles northwest) — full immersive colonial America experience; free admission or deep discounts for active duty military
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg (~55 miles northwest) — military pricing available; excellent family theme park

Day Trips from Virginia Beach

• Washington D.C. (~200 miles north, 3–3.5 hours) — free Smithsonian museums, monuments, and national sites
• Outer Banks, NC (~75 miles south, 1.5–2 hours) — barrier island beaches, lighthouses, and Wild Horse sanctuary
• Shenandoah National Park (~250 miles west, 4 hours) — Skyline Drive, hiking, camping, and fall foliage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between JEB Little Creek and JEB Fort Story?

They are two separate properties under one command — Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story (JEBLC-FS). JEB Little Creek is located in the northern part of Virginia Beach on the Chesapeake Bay and is the larger of the two, hosting the bulk of amphibious and expeditionary forces. JEB Fort Story is at the northern tip of Virginia Beach near Cape Henry and supports Navy and Army units. Your orders will specify which property you’re reporting to, though both fall under the same installation command.

What are the 2026 BAH rates for JEB Little Creek–Fort Story?

JEBLC-FS falls under the Virginia Beach–Norfolk Military Housing Area. For 2026, BAH rates increased 3.5% from 2025, ranking 10th highest among all joint bases. Enlisted rates range from $1,707/month (E-1 to E-4 without dependents) to $2,796/month (E-9 with dependents). Officer rates go up to $3,366/month for O-7 with dependents. Use the DTMO BAH Calculator to confirm your specific rate by ZIP code and rank.

Who manages on-base housing at JEB Little Creek?

On-base family housing is managed by Lincoln Military Housing (Navy personnel, (757) 802-3390) and Balfour Beatty Communities (Fort Story Army personnel, (757) 962-3511). Lincoln operates seven communities with two- to five-bedroom homes in various neighborhoods. Contact the Navy Housing Service Center at (757) 462-8939 to start the application process. Because there are waitlists, contact both companies the moment you receive orders.

What medical care is available at JEB Little Creek?

The Boone Branch Health Clinic (1035 Nider Blvd, Suite 100, (757) 953-8351) provides primary care for enrolled TRICARE Prime patients at Little Creek. Hours are Monday through Friday 0700–1530, with extended hours (0700–1900) in Primary Care Area B. Pediatric care is available for children 17 and under. For specialty care, surgery, inpatient services, or emergencies, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is the regional military hospital. TRICARE appointment line: 1-866-645-4584. 24/7 Nurse Advice Line: 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.

What schools serve JEB Little Creek–Fort Story families?

There are no DoDEA schools at JEBLC-FS. All families are enrolled in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), the largest school district in Hampton Roads with nearly 65,000 students across 86 schools. VBCPS is fully accredited, with 69% math proficiency and 78% reading proficiency on state assessments — among the stronger large districts in Virginia. The district has active military family liaisons and a Youth Sponsorship program for new students. Contact VBCPS at (757) 263-1000.

Where do most JEB Little Creek families live off-post?

The most popular neighborhoods for JEBLC-FS families are Thoroughgood, Kings Grant, Great Neck, and Kempsville — all within 10–20 minutes of base and served by well-rated school zones. Families willing to commute 25–30 minutes find more home for their money in southern Virginia Beach (Red Mill, Landstown, Ocean Lakes) or Chesapeake. Avoid planning a cross-tunnel commute from Hampton or Newport News unless your duty hours are off-peak — the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel can add 30–45+ minutes in rush hour.

Is Virginia Beach a good duty station for military families?

Consistently one of the most sought-after East Coast postings. Virginia Beach offers excellent schools, strong BAH rates, no state income tax on military pay, year-round outdoor activities, a thriving job market for military spouses, and easy access to some of the East Coast’s best beaches. The Hampton Roads area has the largest concentration of military personnel in the United States, which means the community infrastructure — from military-friendly businesses to school liaison services — is exceptionally well-developed for military families.

Does Virginia tax military pay?

Virginia exempts military basic pay from state income tax for active duty service members stationed in Virginia. This is a meaningful financial benefit and one reason many families stationed here choose to establish Virginia as their state of legal residence. For specifics on your tax situation, the Legal Services office at (757) 462-4759 can provide guidance, or contact the Fleet and Family Support Center’s financial counselors at (757) 462-7563.

What is the phone number for the JEB Little Creek housing office?

The Navy Housing Service Center is located at 2600 Tarawa Court, Building 1602, Suite 105, Virginia Beach, VA 23459. The main phone number is (757) 462-8939, with an alternate line at (757) 462-7069. Lincoln Military Housing (for privatized family housing) can be reached at (757) 802-3390, and Balfour Beatty Communities (Fort Story) is at (757) 962-3511.