Fort McNair
Fort McNair Relocation Information
Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash
Welcome to Fort McNair
Fort McNair is located in southwest Washington, D.C., on the tip of the peninsula called Greenleaf Point. It lies at the junction of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River. To the southwest, across the Potomac, lies Reagan National Airport near the Pentagon and Mark Center in Alexandria.
Fort McNair is situated in the National Capital Region (NCR) and has an ideal Mid-Atlantic location with four distinct seasons. Area residents have access to year-round adventures in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland that include river, bay, and ocean excursions, cultural activities of every kind, and sporting events, not to mention government and historic buildings to tour.
Photo from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Official Facebook Page
Fort McNair is a part of the Fort Myer Military Community, now called Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. It’s home to Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region/Military District Washington (MDW) and the National Defense University. The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard," is also located here.
Photo from National War College Official Facebook Page
The National Capital Region is home to a handful of military installations:
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort McNair
Photo by Caleb Wright on Unsplash
1. Who is Fort McNair named for?
The post was first named the Washington Arsenal. However, it was renamed Fort McNair in 1948 after Lieutenant General Leslie McNair, an Army Ground Forces commander whom died in Normandy, France in 1944.
2. How many gates does Fort McNair have?
Fort McNair has two gates:
- Ceremonial Gate: open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 9 am.
- 2nd Street Gate: open 24/7
3. What is the zip code for Fort McNair?
The zip code for Fort McNair is 20319. Other nearby zip codes include 22206, 22308, 22314, 22304, and 22204.
4. What is the BAH for Fort McNair?
The 2022 BAH for Fort McNair ranges from $2355 for E-1 to $3120 for E-9 with dependents and $2457 for O-1 to $$3786 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
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Arrival Lodging 
Image from Navy Lodge Washington, D.C.
Fort McNair does not offer any arrival lodging on base. However, the nearby Navy Lodge on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall - Historia at Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall welcomes incoming military servicemembers and their families.
Navy Lodge
Location:
12 Beyer Road SW - Bldg 4412
Washington, D.C. 20032-5000
Contact: (202) 563-6950
IHG Army Hotels
Location:
318 Jackson Avenue, Bldg 50
Fort Myer, VA 22211
Contact: (703) 696-3576
Fort McNair Housing
Image from Bolling Family Housing
There is no on-base housing offered at Fort McNair. Instead, military families seeking on-base accommodations can apply for housing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. JBAB housing is managed by Hunt Military Communities and offers seven military housing neighborhoods.
Bolling Family Housing
Location:
8660 Angell Street
Washington, D.C. 20032
Contact: (202) 987-6000
Fort McNair Off-Base Housing
Homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort McNair - Fort McNair Homes
Photo by Katelyn Warner on Unsplash
Around Fort McNair, choosing an off-base home will mean balancing personal preferences associated with budget, commute, and school accessibility. Your family’s priorities will determine the best location to search for a home. In most cases, you can expect to pay premium prices for homes for sale and rent zoned for top schools or have very convenient commutes. Homes with larger property sizes and smaller price tags have longer commute times.
Commuting routes are challenging near Fort McNair, especially due to the rivers that divide access to Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Although many places of work and home destinations are less than 15 miles in the distance, at peak traffic hours, it's not uncommon for drive times to measure beyond one hour and more. Washington, D.C.’s Metro train and bus service is a significant regional transportation source.
Military families searching for homes should be aware that although stand-alone single-family homes are the most popular, townhouses, condos, and apartment living are all comparable options. For example, some neighborhoods only cater to those interested in townhomes, and single-family homes aren't available.
Base Search:
City Search:
Fort McNair BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort McNair is in D.C. with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort McNair BAH rates for zip code 20319:
- E-1 with dependents: $2355
- E-1 without dependents: $1905
- E-9 with dependents: $3120
- E-9 without dependents: $2661
- O-1 with dependents: $2457
- O-1 without dependents: $2316
- O-7 with dependents: $3786
- O-7 without dependents: $3027
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Support for Military & Families
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Photo by javier trueba on Unsplash
Schooling Information:
School Districts:
Parents choosing homeschool have a unique option to apply for enrollment in Friendship Charter School, a Washington, D.C. public online charter school. For all families who wish to homeschool, the District requires the form, “Intent to Homeschool,” which is due by August 15 for the upcoming school year. Because of JBAB’s location in Washington, D.C. there is a significant private school presence, including schools with close proximity to the historical Embassy Row in Washington, D.C., and in Georgetown.
Volunteering Opportunities:
Higher Education for Military Spouses and Families:
Military Family Support:
Things to Do Near Fort McNair
Photo by J. Amill Santiago on Unsplash
Cherry Blossom Festival: In 1912, Tokyo’s Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C. The festival celebrates the two country’s friendship and incorporates fun events, including cherry theme food and drinks at various restaurants around the city. A river cruise down the Potomac offers some of the most beautiful views of the blossoms.
Marine Corps Marathon: Known as “The People’s Marathon,” the Marine Corps Marathon is the largest in the world and weaves in and out of our Capital’s landmarks.
Mount Vernon: Take in views of the vibrant fall foliage as you cruise into Mount Vernon. You’ll find George Washington’s Estate, museums, lush gardens, a distillery, and a gristmill here. It’s no wonder why this is a popular spot for school field trips.
National Christmas Tree Lighting: A staple since 1923, the national tree lighting has become an American tradition.
Smithsonian Museums: This is the world's largest museum complex, featuring 18 museums along the National Mall, one just south in Chantilly, VA, and two in New York. With so much to see and learn about, it’s best to plan your visits over weeks, not days. Or, make multiple visits!
US Botanic Garden: Established in 1820, this is the oldest operating botanic garden in the US. The vibrant foliage and aromatic flowers are reason enough to visit this historical site.
Washington has a variety of sports teams to check out!
More Area Info
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Base Address:
Fort Lesley J McNair
Washington
,
20319-5058