Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs is a Navy installation located in Saratoga County, NY near the New York state capitol. The base employs roughly three thousand active-duty troops in an area with a solid military community, and is involved in supporting military operations in New York, Massachusetts, and elsewhere.
Find information about Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
The main responsibility for NSA Saratoga Springs is to support operations of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) Ballston Spa, New York, which is roughly 15 minutes away. The mission also includes providing support services to Navy operations in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
- Air National Guard 109th Airlift Wing
- Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), Albany
- NROTCU, RPI, Troy New York
- Naval Health Clinic New England
- Naval Operational Support Center (NOSC), Schenectady
- Naval Sea Systems Command
- Recruiting Station Albany
History
NSA Saratoga Springs got its start as Naval Administrative Unit, Scotia, NY. Established in 1974, the Navy relocated the mission to Saratoga Springs and renamed the unit. Naval Support Unit Saratoga Springs, NY was activated in 1999 and a little over a decade later in 2010 a redesignation to Naval Support Activity was ordered. Today, NSA Saratoga Springs supports commands within the New York State Capitol Region.
Contacts
Main Base Address And Phone Numbers
NSA Saratoga Springs
19 J. F. King Drive
Bldg 104
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-9267
518-886-0200
Important Base Contact Numbers
- Child and Youth Services (518) 886-0200
- Emergency 911
- Family and Fleet Support Center (518) 886-0200
- ID Cards and DEERS (518) 886-0200
- Morale, Welfare and Recreation (518) 885-5138
- Personnel Support Detachment (518) 885-5138
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Medical Clinic (518) 583-5300
- Balfour Beatty Communities (518) 587-3101
- Housing (518) 886-0200
- Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit (518) 884-1848
- School Liaison Officer (518) 886-0200
Surrounding Area
Saratoga Springs offers much in the way of wineries, outdoor attractions, and museums. Fans of horse racing will want to check out the Saratoga Race Course, as well as the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. For those who love the outdoors, the following attractions are of interest:
- Saratoga Spa State Park
- Congress Park
- Yaddo Gardens
Many of the attractions nearby have “Saratoga” in their names, so the Saratoga Winery, Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the Saratoga Farmers Market are definitely local destinations to try when you’re getting the feel of the area. There are plenty of opportunities for East Coast travel to destinations such as Boston (just over three hours by car in ideal conditions) and New York City (also just over three hours by car in ideal conditions).
East Coast travel can be complicated by rush hour in ways you might not see in other parts of the country. It’s best to discuss your travel plans with a local before trying to drive to high-traffic destinations like Boston or NYC.
Inprocessing and Check-In
All inbound sailors are directed to check in with their parent command before checking into NSA Saratoga Springs. Your command support staff is required to provide you with further instructions for check-in and reporting.
Base officials advise PCSing sailors to report for inprocessing and other initial procedures alone–do not bring dependents to these appointments unless given permission to do so. All inbound sailors should “be prepared to commence working 12 hour days throughout the program,” according to official sources. School staff and students should be prepared to check in upon arrival at the NPTU Security Office, which operates 24 hours per day. Uniform of the day is required for check-in.
Health Care
This area features limited military medical and dental services. It’s best to call your TRICARE representative once you know you have orders to the area to discuss your options. There is a limited Branch Health and Dental Clinic (call 518-583-5300). For all emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Child Care
NSA Saratoga Springs is a unique military operation in that it has no child care options on base. Families who need childcare are encouraged to explore their local options via MilitaryChildCare.com. This is a Department of Defense online system for military families worldwide.
Household Goods
Inbound sailors are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments to NSA Saratoga Springs using the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
Those in need of ID card services are directed to schedule appointments via the RAPIDS system or call (518) 886-0200 (Ext. 111). At press time, no walk-in appointments are accepted.
All ID card services are available, but the sponsor must be present to sign appropriate forms, unless a power of attorney is provided.
Schools
School choices in the area are quite vast–there are many school districts and your school selection may depend on where you reside first. Call the NSA Saratoga Springs School Liaison Office at (518) 886-0200 to get help with transfer requirements, new student enrollment, and other issues for any of the following school districts:
- Ballston Spa Central Schools
- Burnt Hills/Ballston Lake Central
- Corinth Central Schools
- Galway Central Schools
- Hadley-Luzerne Central Schools
- Lake George Central School District
- Mechanicville City Schools
- Saratoga Springs City Schools
- Schuylerville Central Schools
- So. Glens Falls Central Schools
- Stillwater Central Schools
- Waterford-Halfmoon Schools
- Shenendehowa Central Schools
- Glens Falls City School District
- Queensbury Union Free School District
Housing
Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs has a public-private venture housing partnership with Balfour Beatty Communities. This housing is available to all active-duty service members with or without dependents, officer or enlisted ranks, regardless of marital status. There are no barracks on board the installation.
All PCSing troops, single or married, are encouraged to submit a housing application using the the Housing Early Assistance Tool or you can call the housing office at (518) 886-0200 to learn how to submit a DD Form 1746. Waiting lists apply.
NSA Saratoga Springs allows unaccompanied sailors who would otherwise be assigned a room in a barracks to live in PPV housing. That said, active-duty service members with family members have housing assignment priority. There is a Navy Single Sailor Program that allows service members to rent a single bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment to help reduce housing expenses.
PCS and TDY Lodging
There is no temporary lodging facility available at NSA Saratoga Springs. You should make reservations for local area temporary lodging “well in advance” and be advised there are few pet-friendly resources for lodging in the local area.
Transportation
There is no base transportation on board NSA Saratoga Springs. The usual ride sharing options may be available from the airport depending on time of arrival, demand, rush hour, etc. The nearest airport to NSA Saratoga Springs is Albany Airport, roughly 25 miles away, followed by Lebanon Airport (over 80 miles) and Hartford (nearly 100 miles away).
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Base registration/decals are not required on the base, but you must carry proof of insurance, registration, and applicable vehicle inspections. All motor vehicles entering NSA Saratoga Springs are subject to search and 100% ID checks.
If you are arriving on PCS or TDY orders, know that at a minimum, all operators of privately owned vehicles who need entry and exit privileges are required to present a RealID-compliant photo ID card. All drivers are required to comply with all New York State requirements for motor vehicles including emissions standards, registration, minimum insurance, etc.