Pentagon
Pentagon Relocation Information
Aerial view of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Image from Canva.
Welcome to the Pentagon!
If you’ve ever wondered, “Just what is the Pentagon?” you’re not alone. It’s not a military base in the traditional sense, but it houses some of the most powerful components the U.S. military operates. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the Department of Defense, and the names are often used interchangeably.
The Pentagon is an office complex shaped like a pentagon when viewed from above. It is one of the largest office buildings in the world. About 25,000 military and civilian employees walk from 16 parking lots, climb 131 stairways, and traverse about 17.5 miles of corridors daily.
Those assigned to the Pentagon won’t find many of the typical features of military bases, such as housing. But there are amenities that both civilians and military members have access to shopping, food options, ID offices, dry cleaning, and banking.
The original construction plans of the Pentagon began in 1941. Brigadier General Brehon B. Sommervell defended the need for the War Department to expand and centralize due to the instability in Europe. This international backdrop allowed construction to begin on September 11, 1941.
The 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Image from Canva.
The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is an often toured site on the grounds of the Pentagon. It is dedicated to the 184 people who lost their lives on American Airlines Flight 77 and to those who were in the Pentagon that day. Tours of the facility and of the memorial are arranged through the Pentagon’s website.
Moving to the Pentagon? Download your free guide to the area below!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pentagon
1) Is the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. or Virginia?
The Pentagon is built upon land in Arlington, Virginia. But, the Pentagon uses six Washington, D.C. zip codes as designated mailing addresses.
2) Can you tour the Pentagon?
Yes, but the tours should be scheduled well in advance. You must check in at the Pentagon Tours window, which is located inside the Pentagon Visitor Center. You can find more information at Pentagon Tours FAQ. Consider using the Metro instead of trying to find a parking space.
3) If assigned to the Pentagon, where do we live?
The majority of the people assigned to work at the Pentagon live in Washington, D.C., Virginia, or Maryland. Most military families choose their location depending on personal preferences for budget, commute time, and education opportunities. Arlington, VA, Alexandria, VA, and Fairfax County, VA, are some of the most popular off base options.
The Pentagon does not have on base housing. The surrounding bases of Fort Belvoir, Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall (closest Army bases) Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Joint Base Andrews (closest Air Force bases), and NSA Fort Meade, Maryland, have housing options for eligible servicemembers.
4) What is the BAH for the Pentagon?
BAH for the Washington DC Metro Area (code DC053, which includes those assigned to the Pentagon), ranges from $2,811 for E-1 to $3,882 for E-9 with dependents, and from $2,943 for O-1 to $4,293 for O-7 with dependents. See housing section for more info.
Pentagon Location and Information
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Military Installations in the D.C. Area
Nearby military installations:
The Pentagon is officially located in Arlington, Virginia, near the banks of the Potomac River. On the other side of the Potomac is Washington, D.C. The Pentagon is also situated in the National Capital Region (NCR) and at the same time, a part of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (the DMV).
Military members relocating to the Pentagon are served well by understanding the term: Inside or Outside the Beltway. Interstate 495 is a 64-mile loop around Washington, D.C., that encompasses suburbs of Virginia and Maryland. The Beltway is used to describe where real estate is located, a reference to where political action occurs (inside the Beltway in D.C.), and most frequently in traffic reports.
The National Mall in Washington, D.C. Image from Canva.
Public transportation is integral to the way of life surrounding the Pentagon. Servicemembers use public transportation to the Pentagon for multiple reasons: it saves time and money (the military provides a stipend, and parking at the Pentagon is very limited. Not everyone will have an official space and if they do, it could easily be a 20-minute walk to enter the building. The Pentagon has both Metro and bus routes convenient to the entrance.
View of Capitol Hill. Image from Canva.
You won’t get bored in D.C.! There’s something for everyone: festivals, museums, food, wine, and sports. Do note that major events like the Cherry Blossom Festival, Marine Corps Marathon, and National Christmas Tree Lighting require advance planning as those openings fill quickly.
Stay up to date with local events by reading publications like the Washingtonian, The D.C. Patch, and military family Facebook groups.
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Arrival Lodging
IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall - Historia
There are multiple lodging facilities near Mark Center Alexandria to accommodate incoming service members and their families.
Fort Belvoir:
Staybridge Suites Building 1208
9215 Woodbury Road, Building 1208
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
(703) 844-0303
Holiday Inn Express Knadle Hall
9775 Gaillard Rd, Building 70
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
(703) 704-8300
Joint Base Andrews:
Air Force Inns-Presidential Inn
1380 California Avenue
Andrews AFB, MD 20762
(301) 981-4614
Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall:
IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall -Historia
318 Jackson Ave. Building 50
Fort Myer, VA 22211
(703) 696-3576
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling:
Navy Lodge Washington DC
12 Beyers Road SW, Building 4412
Washington, D.C. 20032
(202) 563-6950
Pentagon Housing
Military housing is not available at the Pentagon, however, there are many housing options available throughout the National Capital Region. Please see off-base housing information below for homes near the Pentagon.
Pentagon Off Base Housing
Alexandria, Virginia - photo from Canva
Near the Pentagon, choosing an off base home often comes down to ranking and balancing personal preferences as associated with budget, commute, and school accessibility. Family priorities help 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 that are 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 the Pentagon. Although many places of work and home destinations are less than 15 miles in distance, at peak traffic hours, it's not uncommon for drive times to exceed an hour.
Photo from Canva
Military families searching for homes near the Pentagon should be aware that although stand alone single family homes are the most popular, townhouse, condo, and apartment living are all comparative options. For example, some neighborhoods only cater to those interested in town homes, and single family homes aren't available.
Consulting a qualified real estate agent knowledgeable about your desired area is highly recommended. It’s common for agents to be licensed in DC/MD/VA, but some choose only to work in one or two states or the District.
Washington, D.C. real estate can be a challenge for first-timers. Both property and money move quickly and often in cash transactions. Unless PCS’ing from other expensive locations such as San Diego or Hawaii, you’ll want to prepare savings accounts to adjust to rental and home buying costs.
There isn’t a shortage of neighborhoods to choose from! Each offers a unique setting, vibe, and pro/con list. It’s up to each house-hunter and their real estate agent to research the vicinity to find the perfect match.
City Search
Pentagon BAH Info
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.
The Pentagon is located in Arlington, Virginia, but uses Washington, D.C., mailing codes. It’s also near Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Springfield Virginia, with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Pentagon BAH rates:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,811
- E-1 without dependents: $2,169
- E-9 with dependents: $3,882
- E-9 without dependents: $3,120
- O-1 with dependents: $2,943
- O-1 without dependents: $2,736
- O-7 with dependents: $4,293
- O-7 without dependents: $3,864
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Area Weather and Climate
Image from Canva
Get ready to go shopping! In and around the National Capital Region, residents need all the gear, from shorts and bug spray to shovels and winter boots. The good news is that if a heat wave or cold front sets in, it typically heads out in a week or two.
The Pentagon’s weather patterns include a little bit of just about every phenomenon. Cold, but not bitter, winters with an occasional blizzard, a blustery and wet spring season, very humid and hot summers, with the potential for hurricane residue from the coast, and a colorful, but temperate and short lived fall season.
Summer: July high is around 87 degrees.
Winter: January low is around 28 degrees.
Rain: About 43 inches of rain per year.
Snow: About 14 inches of snow per year.
Worth noting:
- Weather forecasters often use I-95 as a dividing line to describe transitioning weather.
- Areas north and west of D.C. take on weather from the Shenandoah Mountains.
- East of the city, weather is influenced by coastal weather patterns.
The area around the Pentagon is vast, as are the schooling options. Visit Private School Review for more information regarding private school education near Fort Belvoir. Homeschool families should follow the Virginia’s Department of Education homeschool regulations.
Following are some helpful links for more school information.
Support for Military and Families
Photo from Istock Prostock-Studio
There is an abundance of support for military families on and around the Pentagon. The Washington, D.C., area is inundated with entities that provide support systems of various types. From employment to education and recreation, there is a group eager to share opportunities with military families.
Some recognizable names include:
There isn’t a better region among military destinations for military spouses to take advantage of the amazing number of resources designed specifically for them. The area provides outlets to further education, examine career resources, or volunteer for the multitude of worthy causes for both military and non-military related organizations.
Some more helpful links:
Things to Do Near the Pentagon
The challenge while stationed in the D.C. area is to do ALL the things to do! Take the advice of military families before you and start by making a list of your must-see and do activities. Time slips away quickly, and before military families know it, they're scrambling to fit in last-minute adventures before their next PCS.
Popular destinations:
- Visiting Mount Vernon
- The Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring
- National Christmas Tree Lighting
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- Professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey
- Great Falls National Park
- Shenandoah Valley
The challenge is also to become flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected opportunities that will inevitably pop up. Impromptu invites to one-of-a-kind events are common, either through the service member’s job or thanks to any number of family-friendly military organizations in the NCR.
After families check off the major attractions like the Smithsonian system and monuments, it’s common to stick close to home and tour the local area, especially in Alexandria, because of its historical influence.
A Pentagon Tour is one of the first tours families often take upon arriving in the D.C. area—be sure to schedule a tour well in advance. Find more information at Pentagon Tours FAQ.
More Pentagon Area Info
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Base Address:
Pentagon
Arlington
,
22202