Walter Reed Base Guide

Welcome to Walter Reed
is an authorized publication for members of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center memorializes one of the most famous American physicians in history — Maj. Walter Reed.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center has a significant history and reputation as one of the leading military medical facilities in the world.

The commanding general of Walter Reed Army Medical Center also serves as commander of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command, which covers 21 of the northeastern United States plus the District of Columbia.

The Walter Reed Health Care System provides comprehensive health care for more than 150,000 Soldiers, other servicemembers, Family members and retirees in the National Capital Area. Its hub is Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the clinical center of gravity of American military medicine.

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was affected by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 legislation.

In August 2005, the military medical flag leaders in the National Capital Area (NCA) issued a shared vision of integration between National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, Md., and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). ‘‘We envision one unified National Capital Area (NCA) military health care system,” the leaders said.

The main campus of Walter Reed is in a residential area of northwest Washington between Rock Creek Park and Georgia Avenue near the Maryland-D.C. boundary. All patient-care activities, as well as most administrative services, are on the main installation.

Walter Reed supports the Department of Defense in wartime, both by caring for ill or injured service members who are evacuated to the medical center for specialty treatment and by sending its own staff members into harm’s way.

Military physicians who are nationally recognized for their skill, training and experience lead Walter Reed’s departments and services.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center has a long-standing reputation as one of the finest teaching institutions in the country.

The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, a tri-service organization on the Walter Reed campus, is the nation’s leading laboratory for pathology. The AFIP’s wide-ranging mission includes research, consultation, and education to serve the military and the civilian community worldwide.

The Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care at Walter Reed provides religious and spiritual support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through assigned ward chaplains and on-call staff, for all faith groups and individuals.

All newly assigned Walter Reed permanent party Soldiers and students must report to the Medical Center Brigade Personnel Administrative Center (S1) and receive paperwork to complete in-processing.

The Housing Referral Office provides personalized housing locator service assisting DOD Military and Civilian Personnel in obtaining non-discriminating, adequate, affordable housing in the civilian community.

Information about TRICARE is available on Walter Reed’s Web site at www.wramc.army.mil. Visitors are also welcome at Walter Reed’s TRICARE Service Center in Heaton Pavilion, Bldg. 2, third floor, Suite 3-D, for help with enrollment or claims issues. Phone (202) 782-4393 or DSN 662-4393.

The Army Community Service Center helps the total Army family by providing services to maintain stability and meet the challenges of military life. Readiness services are available to active-duty and retired service members, their family members, Army civilian employees and reservists on active duty.

Karen Wagner Sports Center
The Karen Wagner Sports Center (Bldg. 32) includes a gymnasium, three racquetball courts, a cardio theater consisting of various pieces of cardio equipment such as treadmills and bikes, a weight area consisting of weight resistant equipment, an aerobics room, men and women saunas and men and women locker rooms.

The Washington Metropolitan Area is made up of the District of Columbia and the adjacent areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia. Living and working in this community affords many opportunities to visit some of the most unusual and exciting places our country has to offer.

• About Walter Reed