Student Arrival and Departure
Student Arrival and Departure
Students should be ticketed to Baltimore Washington International Airport, which is approximately 15 minutes from Fort Meade. In most cases, the IMSO will meet the IMS at the airport and transport to Fort Meade Lodging. During duty hours, the IMSO can be reached at (301) 677-2020 or (443) 864-9212. After duty hours, please contact Mr. Johnson at (443) 864-9212. Provide your name, rank, native country and the description or name of the instructional program that you are scheduled. If you are an unannounced student, you should be prepared to seek your own ground transportation to Fort Meade.
Security Cooperation Officers (SCO) should ensure that the International Military Student Office is notified at least five days prior to the student's arrival, in order to arrange for the student to be properly greeted at the airport. Failure to notify the International Military Student Office will cause delays in getting the student settled comfortably. If possible, the student should arrive between Monday through Friday before 1200 local time. This will ensure the student is completely in-processed before the weekend (i.e., ID Card, tour of post, ECL testing if necessary, etc.).
Uniform Requirements
Students will need at least 3 sets of their native country work uniforms, but flight suits are not authorized wear by order of the Commandant.
Dress uniform (and several sets of native country rank) equivalent to the U.S. rank:
• Army: Class A/Class B, Utility equivalent dress
• Air Force: Service Dress, Utility equivalent dress
• Navy: Service Dress Whites/Blues (seasonal), Utility equivalent dress
• Marines: Alphas, Utility equivalent dress
Meals and Dining
Meals are available to all students at the Freedom Inn Dining Facility, located approx.. .3 miles from DINFOS, across from Eps Dental Clinic on Simonds St.
Hours are as follows:
Monday – Friday
Breakfast: 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Climate
Maryland is located in the eastern part of the United States. It is near to Washington D.C. and, the center of government, history and politics for the country. D.C. is also one of the larger centers for art and science in the U. S. The summers are warm and humid; the winters are cold and wet. Late fall and spring are very pleasant. There are wide variations of both warm and cold, particularly during the colder months of January and February. Snowfalls of three or more inches occur on average of about two to three times during the winter. Please advise your students that during the winter months the temperature can drop below the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When the wind blows during these low temperatures, it creates what we call a wind-chill factor. A wind-chill factor is when the wind combined with the cold temperatures makes it seem colder than it actually is. This can be extremely hazardous to the skin, as wind-chills are sometimes below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature averages are as follows:
• Summer: 90° F Hi, 62° F Low
• Winter: 37° F Hi, 21° F Low
• Spring/Fall: 78° F Hi, 44° F Low
Medical
Military - Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center provides minimal medical treatment. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base are available for major medical services.
Civilian - North Arundel Hospital in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Harbor Hospital Center in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. There are numerous other civilian hospitals in the Baltimore/Washington area. Civilian facilities will require payment for medical services unless the IMS's government has arranged for payment.
Driving Information
Students desiring to drive must have proof of a current license and adequate liability insurance. Students who have an international driver's license are able to drive and rent cars in Maryland. International driver's license holders should bring their native country license also. Those who do not meet the above qualifications must pass a vision, written and driving exam at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Privately owned vehicles for the driving test cannot be provided by the IMSO. Students with authorization on their ITO may purchase an auto, but they must have adequate auto insurance to comply with state regulations.
See transportation for additional information.