Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL): Your PCS Guide

About Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

JB MDL formed on October 1, 2009, when McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst merged under a single commander. Today the 87th Air Base Wing runs the installation, which supports more than 44,000 service members, civilians, and family members across Burlington and Ocean Counties. The base anchors major airlift and aerial-refueling missions, including KC-46 and KC-10 operations.

Geography matters more here than at most bases. You sit 18 miles southeast of Trenton, with Philadelphia about 45 minutes west, the Jersey Shore an hour east, and New York City roughly 90 minutes north. Despite New Jersey’s reputation, this corner of the state is wooded, semi-rural, and noticeably calmer than the I-95 corridor. As a result, you get East Coast access without paying New York or D.C. housing prices.

Quick Facts
Host wing	87th Air Base Wing
Branches present	Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force
Location	South-central New Jersey, 18 miles SE of Trenton
Counties	Burlington (McGuire/Dix) and Ocean (Lakehurst)
Size	42,000+ acres (65+ square miles)
Nearest cities	Trenton (18 mi); Philadelphia (~45 min); NYC (~90 min)
Official site	jbmdl.jb.mil

BAH and Cost of Living at JB MDL

JB MDL falls under the JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ Military Housing Area. Because New Jersey housing costs run above the national average, BAH here lands in the higher tier for the region. Most enlisted families with dependents see allowances in the high-$2,000s to mid-$3,000s per month, while senior enlisted and officers run higher. Single junior enlisted draw less, but the without-dependents rate still covers a reasonable share of local rent.

For your exact figure, run your pay grade and dependent status through the BAH Calculator, or review how rates are set in our BAH rates guide. You can also confirm the official number on the DoD BAH page. One honest heads-up: New Jersey property taxes are among the highest in the country, so buyers should budget carefully — more on that below.

Last verified: June 2026. Confirm current figures with the BAH Calculator before signing a lease.

Want to see exactly what your BAH buys near JB MDL at current rates? Your free VA Home Loan Snapshot runs the real numbers — no credit pull, no obligation, takes 60 seconds.

Neighborhoods Near JB MDL

Off-base inventory is limited right at the gate, so families spread into the surrounding towns. Which direction you go depends entirely on your worksite. McGuire and Dix families cluster west and south in Burlington County, while Lakehurst families head east into Ocean County. Confirm your assigned section before you tour a single house.

Browns Mills — Closest and Most Affordable

Best for: Junior enlisted and anyone who wants the shortest commute.

Browns Mills sits right outside the Browns Mills (Texas) Gate, roughly 10 minutes from the McGuire-Dix core. It’s the most budget-friendly community in the area, with entry-level price points that fit most BAH budgets. The town is modest and practical rather than polished, but the commute and the cost are hard to beat for a first PCS.

Mount Holly — Small-Town Charm

Best for: Families who want a walkable historic downtown.

About 15 minutes from the main gate, Mount Holly offers a historic Main Street, local restaurants, and a genuine small-town feel. Prices stay reasonable, and you’re still close enough to base for a comfortable daily drive. Notably, it’s a popular middle ground between affordability and character.

Bordentown — Walkable and Well-Liked

Best for: Families who value a community vibe and good schools.

Bordentown runs about 20 minutes from base and draws families with its walkable downtown, arts scene, and easy access to both the NJ Turnpike and rail into Philadelphia. Furthermore, it offers a strong sense of community that newcomers tend to settle into quickly.

Mount Laurel and Marlton — Suburban and Family-Friendly

Best for: Officers, senior NCOs, and families prioritizing schools and shopping.

These adjacent Burlington County suburbs sit 25 to 30 minutes out. Both deliver well-rated schools, abundant shopping, and a polished suburban feel, at a higher price point than the closer-in towns. Medford, just southeast, is quieter and more wooded but pricier still.

If your orders say Lakehurst, the map shifts east. Jackson Township, Manchester, and Toms River become the practical choices, putting you near Ocean County beaches and Six Flags Great Adventure rather than the Philadelphia suburbs.

Stuck between two communities? Start your free PCS Plan© — our local experts know this market and which towns fit your gate, your budget, and your kids’ schools.

Explore the JB MDL PCS Pay It Forward® Map — Your Insider Guide to South Jersey

PCSing to JB MDL in south-central New Jersey? The JB MDL PCS Pay It Forward® Map was created by military families, for military families — giving you everything you need to settle into Burlington and Ocean County life with ease. The map features three powerful layers: important base addresses (gates, housing, medical, family services), local restaurants where kids eat free near JB MDL, and military discount hot spots from Browns Mills to the Jersey Shore.

👉 Join the JB MDL PCS Pay It Forward® group to unlock the full interactive map, access relocation tools, and connect with military families who’ve been exactly where you are.

On-Base Housing at JB MDL

JB MDL runs two separate housing ecosystems, managed by two different companies. This is the single most important detail to understand before you choose a home, because the McGuire-Dix and Lakehurst communities are physically separated by miles.

McGuire and Dix housing

United Communities manages family housing on the McGuire and Dix side, offering 3- and 4-bedroom homes assigned by rank and family size. Six neighborhoods make up this community, with amenities including pools, splash pads, fitness and community centers, trails, and dozens of playgrounds. Demand runs high, so apply through the Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) the moment your orders drop.

McGuire-Dix Housing
Provider	United Communities
Leasing	(609) 200-0488
Housing Management Office (HMO)	(609) 754-3662 · 3700 Circle Drive, McGuire AFB, NJ 08641
Bedrooms	3–4, rank and family-size based

Lakehurst housing

Balfour Beatty Communities manages family housing on the Lakehurst side, offering 2- to 5-bedroom single-family homes and townhomes. Two neighborhoods serve Lakehurst families. Since Lakehurst is a separate installation, confirm your worksite before committing to housing here.

Lakehurst Housing
Provider	Balfour Beatty Communities
Leasing	(732) 408-1651
Housing Management Office (HMO)	(732) 323-2370 · Bldg 483, Walsh Drive, JB MDL, NJ 08733
Bedrooms	2–5, single-family and townhome

Unaccompanied housing

Single junior enlisted (generally E-1 through E-4 with fewer than three years of service for Airmen and Sailors) live in Unaccompanied Housing. Two UH offices serve the base — McGuire-Dix at (609) 754-5498 and Lakehurst at (732) 323-1268. Utilities and laundry are included, and you’re close to the worksite.

Weighing renting versus buying? Our VA home loan guide breaks down how your $0-down benefit stacks up against on-base living, and the official Air Force Housing page covers privatized housing policy.

Temporary Lodging at JB MDL

On-base lodging runs through the All American Inn, with locations on the McGuire/Dix side and at Lakehurst. Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) units include a kitchenette, separate bedroom, living area with a sleeper sofa, and private bath — built for PCS families between homes. Pet-friendly units are available for a small daily fee, and your first ten days of lodging during a PCS are typically reimbursable.

Reservations are strongly recommended year-round and effectively required in summer, when PCS volume peaks. Book the moment your dates firm up.

All American Inn
McGuire/Dix lodging	(609) 754-4667 · 2786 Mitchell Rd, McGuire AFB, NJ 08641
Toll-free	1-888-AFLODGE (1-888-235-6343)
Lakehurst lodging	(732) 323-2266 · Bldg 481, Walsh Drive
Details	gomdl.com/all-american-inn

Rates subject to change. Confirm current TLF rates and pet-room availability when you book.

Schools and Child Care Near JB MDL

No DoDEA schools operate on JB MDL, so military children attend local public schools. Here’s the unusual part that catches families off guard in a good way: families on McGuire-Dix get to choose their school district when they register.

School district options

Fort Dix Elementary School sits directly on base and serves Pre-K through 4th grade. Beyond that, McGuire-Dix families select one of three districts, and all siblings must attend the same one.

District	Grades	Notes
North Hanover Township	Pre-K–6	Smaller, close-knit; often paired with Northern Burlington for upper grades
Northern Burlington County Regional	7–12	Regional middle/high school
Pemberton Township	K–12	Largest option; all grades in one district

Families at Lakehurst follow a different path: Lakehurst School District for the younger grades and Manchester Township High School for 9–12. Before you commit, contact the JB MDL School Liaison Office at (609) 562-5411 — they’ll help you compare options and transfer records. The official School Liaison page has current contacts.

Child care

JB MDL operates Child Development Centers on all three sections, plus Family Child Care and School-Age Care. Waitlists fill fast, so register at MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as your orders are confirmed. Key CDC lines: McGuire (609) 754-3661, Dix (609) 562-3873, and Lakehurst (732) 323-2260.

In-Processing and Gate Hours

Because this is a tri-service base, your first stop depends on your branch. Air Force members on McGuire report to the Military Personnel Flight at 2916 Falcon Lane, (609) 754-0250. Army members at Fort Dix check in with their gaining unit or sponsor. Navy members at Lakehurst report to the MILPERS office during business hours, or to Visiting Quarters in Building 481 after hours to get orders stamped.

Regardless of branch, visit your Housing Management Office before signing any lease — McGuire-Dix families report to the Circle Drive HMO, and Lakehurst families to the Walsh Drive HMO. Sponsors arrange visitor and gate access through the McGuire Welcome Center at 3021 McGuire Boulevard, (609) 754-3628.

Which gates are open 24/7

Five gates run around the clock: the Route 68 Gate (the main Dix gate), McGuire Main Gate, Lakehurst Main Gate, Bolling (Housing) Gate, and the Browns Mills (Texas) Gate. These are your reliable entry points at any hour.

Limited-hour and commercial gates

Several gates run restricted schedules that change periodically. Wrightstown, Pemberton, and Pinehurst gates open only during limited daytime windows, and Pemberton typically follows the local school calendar. Moving trucks and commercial vehicles use the McGuire/Dix Commercial Gate (Checkpoint-9) or the Lakehurst Commercial Gate on weekdays. Always confirm current hours on the official Fort Dix visitor information page before you drive, especially for a truck.

Last verified: June 2026. Gate hours change during exercises and holidays — confirm before travel.

Medical and Healthcare at JB MDL

The 87th Medical Group is the military treatment facility serving JB MDL, and it runs a broad slate of services for an installation this size. Appointments and records run through the MHS GENESIS patient portal, and the appointment/nurse advice line is (609) 754-9301.

On-base services include primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, lab, and radiology. For specialty care beyond the clinic, the Referral Management Center coordinates with TRICARE network providers — and the greater Philadelphia and Trenton metros put excellent specialty hospitals within reach. New families should enroll with TRICARE early; details live at mcguiredixlakehurst.tricare.mil. Reach the Patient Advocate at (609) 754-9602 with any concerns.

Getting There

You’ll want a car here — transit to the base itself is limited. Philadelphia International (PHL) is your closest major airport at roughly 45 to 60 minutes via I-295 and the NJ Turnpike. Newark Liberty (EWR) runs about 75 minutes north, and small Trenton-Mercer (TTN) sits about 30 minutes away. From PHL, head north on I-295 to NJ-68, which leads to the Route 68 Gate.

For getting around without a car, NJ Transit rail connects nearby Trenton to both Philadelphia and New York City. The base ITT office sells discounted tickets to regional attractions, which is worth a stop once you’re settled.

Things to Do Near JB MDL

South Jersey hides a lot of fun. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson is about 20 minutes from Lakehurst, and Diggerland USA — a construction-themed amusement park — is a kid favorite roughly an hour out. Military families get summer access to Sea Girt, a National Guard beach about an hour east, and the wider Jersey Shore is an easy day trip. Meanwhile, Philadelphia delivers world-class history, museums, and pro sports across the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers.

On base, MWR through the 87th Force Support Squadron runs deep: multiple fitness centers, two golf courses, two bowling alleys, an outdoor recreation center with gear rental, batting cages, go-karts, and a movie theater. One quirk to plan around — many South Jersey towns are “dry towns” with restricted alcohol sales, so check local rules if dining out with drinks is part of your routine.

Key Phone Numbers for JB MDL

Office	Phone
Welcome Center (visitor access)	(609) 754-3628
McGuire-Dix Housing — United Communities	(609) 200-0488
McGuire-Dix HMO	(609) 754-3662
Lakehurst Housing — Balfour Beatty	(732) 408-1651
Lakehurst HMO	(732) 323-2370
Unaccompanied Housing (McGuire-Dix)	(609) 754-5498
Unaccompanied Housing (Lakehurst)	(732) 323-1268
All American Inn (lodging)	(609) 754-4667
Lakehurst lodging	(732) 323-2266
87th Medical Group (appointments)	(609) 754-9301
Patient Advocate	(609) 754-9602
Commissary	(609) 754-2153
School Liaison Office	(609) 562-5411
Military & Family Readiness Center	(609) 754-3154
Air Force in-processing (MPF)	(609) 754-0250

Last verified: June 2026. Confirm key numbers on the installation’s official site before relying on them.

PCS Tips for JB MDL

Confirm your section before anything else. Lakehurst is not the same daily experience as McGuire or Dix — the sections sit miles apart. Verify your service member’s exact worksite before you tour homes or sign a lease.

Apply for housing the day your orders drop. On-base wait times run long across both communities. Submit your HEAT application immediately rather than waiting until you arrive.

Book lodging early for summer. The All American Inn fills during peak PCS season. Reserve as soon as your travel dates are set.

Use your school-district choice. McGuire-Dix families can compare three districts before enrolling. Call the School Liaison Office early to weigh your options.

Budget for New Jersey property taxes. If you’re buying, NJ’s property taxes rank among the nation’s highest and vary widely by town. Factor them into your monthly number from the start. Your free VA Home Loan Snapshot accounts for local taxes and insurance, not just principal and interest.

For the logistics, our DITY/PPM move guide and PCS binder checklist keep the paperwork from piling up. And for real-time local intel, the JB MDL PCS Pay It Forward® group is where families swap housing leads and neighborhood advice. Every smooth PCS starts with a plan — start your free PCS Plan© for a roadmap built around your move to JB MDL.

Key Takeaways

• JB MDL is the only tri-service base in the DoD. All six branches are present, which shapes housing demand, school options, and your in-processing path by branch.
• Lakehurst is physically separate from McGuire-Dix. Confirm your worksite before choosing a neighborhood or signing anything.
• Two housing companies, two systems. United Communities runs McGuire-Dix; Balfour Beatty runs Lakehurst. Apply through HEAT the day orders drop.
• You may get to choose your school district. McGuire-Dix families compare North Hanover, Northern Burlington Regional, and Pemberton Township — call the School Liaison Office first.
• Five gates run 24/7; several others keep limited hours. Confirm before you drive a moving truck.
• BAH covers solid rentals, but NJ property taxes are high for buyers — run your real number with the VA Home Loan Snapshot.
• Location is the payoff. Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, and NYC are all within reach, while the area around base stays semi-rural and affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions About PCSing to JB MDL

Is Lakehurst part of the main JB MDL base?

Yes administratively, but no in daily life. Lakehurst sits in Ocean County and is physically separated from the McGuire-Dix complex in Burlington County by several miles. Commute times and housing differ significantly, so confirm your assigned section before choosing where to live.

What is BAH like at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst?

JB MDL falls under the JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ Military Housing Area, which sits in a higher BAH tier reflecting New Jersey’s above-average housing costs. Most enlisted families with dependents see allowances in the high-$2,000s to mid-$3,000s per month, with officers higher. Run your exact pay grade through the BAH Calculator for your current figure.

Who manages on-base housing at JB MDL?

United Communities manages family housing on the McGuire and Dix side, offering 3- and 4-bedroom homes. Balfour Beatty Communities manages Lakehurst, offering 2- to 5-bedroom homes and townhomes. Both communities also offer Unaccompanied Housing for eligible single service members.

How do I apply for on-base housing?

Apply through the Housing Early Assistance Tool (HEAT) as soon as your orders are confirmed. Wait times can be lengthy across both housing communities, so applying early is the single best thing you can do. Visit your Housing Management Office before signing any off-base lease, too.

What schools will my children attend at JB MDL?

There are no DoDEA schools on base. Families on McGuire-Dix can choose among North Hanover Township (Pre-K–6), Northern Burlington County Regional (7–12), or Pemberton Township (K–12), with all siblings in the same district. Lakehurst families attend Lakehurst School District and Manchester Township High School. Contact the School Liaison Office at (609) 562-5411 for help comparing.

Which gates are open 24 hours at JB MDL?

Five gates operate around the clock: Route 68 (the main Dix gate), McGuire Main, Lakehurst Main, Bolling (Housing), and Browns Mills (Texas). Other gates, including Wrightstown, Pemberton, and Pinehurst, keep limited daytime hours. Always confirm current schedules on the official Fort Dix visitor page before traveling.

Where do I go first when I arrive at JB MDL?

Your first stop depends on your branch. Air Force members report to the Military Personnel Flight on McGuire, Army members to their gaining unit at Fort Dix, and Navy members to the MILPERS office at Lakehurst. Sponsors arrange gate access through the McGuire Welcome Center at (609) 754-3628.

Is there on-base lodging for PCS families?

Yes. The All American Inn offers Temporary Lodging Facility units with kitchenettes, separate bedrooms, and pet-friendly options, on both the McGuire/Dix and Lakehurst sides. Your first ten days during a PCS are typically reimbursable. Reservations are strongly recommended year-round and effectively required in summer — call (609) 754-4667 or 1-888-AFLODGE.

What medical services are available at JB MDL?

The 87th Medical Group provides primary care, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, lab, and radiology. Appointments run through MHS GENESIS, and the nurse line is (609) 754-9301. Specialty care not offered on base is referred to TRICARE network providers in the Philadelphia and Trenton metros.

What are the best neighborhoods near JB MDL?

For McGuire-Dix families, Browns Mills is closest and most affordable, while Mount Holly, Bordentown, Mount Laurel, and Marlton offer more amenities and well-rated schools a bit farther out. Lakehurst families look east to Jackson, Manchester, and Toms River. Note that many South Jersey towns are dry towns, so check local alcohol rules if that matters to you.

How far is JB MDL from Philadelphia and New York City?

Philadelphia is roughly 45 to 60 minutes by car, and reachable by NJ Transit rail from nearby Trenton. New York City runs about 90 minutes to 2 hours by car, or under two hours by train. The Jersey Shore is about an hour east, making JB MDL one of the most location-advantaged bases on the East Coast.

Is there a PCS Pay It Forward Facebook group for JB MDL?

Yes. The JB MDL PCS Pay It Forward® group is an active community of families stationed at and PCSing to the base. Members share housing leads, neighborhood advice, school tips, and real-time base updates — one of the most practical resources you’ll find for your move.