FORT BELVOIR
ARMY
Fort Belvoir, VA
United States
FORT BELVOIR
ARMY
Fort Belvoir, VA
United States
Fort Belvoir
Base Essentials
Home to dozens of Army agencies and commands 15 miles from the Pentagon — a premium DC-area posting with full on-post services and one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
IMCOM
Status
Active
Est.
1917
Acres
8,656
Active Duty
9,000
Civilian
12,000
Population
6,300,000
Economic Impact
$5.5 billion
Fort Belvoir History
Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia, was established in 1917 as Camp A.A. Humphreys and later renamed. Located just south of Washington, D.C., it grew significantly after the 2005 BRAC round brought thousands of additional personnel and organizations to the installation, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Defense Logistics Agency, and elements of the Army's Installation Management Command. Today it is one of the most populated Army installations and a major employment center in Northern Virginia. Its proximity to the Pentagon and national capital region makes it central to Army and defense operations.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Defense Logistics Agency (HQ)
—
—
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
—
—
Installation Management Command (HQ)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1917
Camp A.A. Humphreys Established for Engineers
The Army established Camp Humphreys along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, as the home of the Army Corps of Engineers during World War I. The installation provided dedicated training and experimentation space for combat engineers whose bridge-building and demolition skills were essential to WWI operations in France.
1935
Renamed Fort Belvoir
Camp Humphreys was redesignated Fort Belvoir, taking its name from the historic Belvoir mansion that once stood on the property — the former home of the colonial Virginia Fairfax family and a frequent gathering place of George Washington during his years at Mount Vernon.
1941
Engineer School Expands for World War II
Fort Belvoir's Engineer School expanded dramatically during World War II, training tens of thousands of combat engineers, bridge builders, and demolition specialists who served in every theater. Fort Belvoir became the recognized hub of Army engineering expertise and doctrine development.
2011
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Opens New Campus
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) opened its new 2.4 million-square-foot headquarters campus at Fort Belvoir — one of the largest federal buildings ever constructed in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area — consolidating NGA's geospatial intelligence mission under one roof.
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1917
Camp A.A. Humphreys Established for Engineers
The Army established Camp Humphreys along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, as the home of the Army Corps of Engineers during World War I. The installation provided dedicated training and experimentation space for combat engineers whose bridge-building and demolition skills were essential to WWI operations in France.
1935
Renamed Fort Belvoir
Camp Humphreys was redesignated Fort Belvoir, taking its name from the historic Belvoir mansion that once stood on the property — the former home of the colonial Virginia Fairfax family and a frequent gathering place of George Washington during his years at Mount Vernon.
1941
Engineer School Expands for World War II
Fort Belvoir's Engineer School expanded dramatically during World War II, training tens of thousands of combat engineers, bridge builders, and demolition specialists who served in every theater. Fort Belvoir became the recognized hub of Army engineering expertise and doctrine development.
2011
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Opens New Campus
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) opened its new 2.4 million-square-foot headquarters campus at Fort Belvoir — one of the largest federal buildings ever constructed in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area — consolidating NGA's geospatial intelligence mission under one roof.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Belvoir.
Fort Belvoir Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Belvoir.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fort Belvoir.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Belvoir.
Personnel Services Branch — Welcome Center
Phone
(703) 806-0734Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch; closed PM on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays)
In-Processing
All in-processing Soldiers must first sign in at their unit of assignment before reporting to the Welcome Center at Building 1189 on Middleton Road. Soldiers must arrive in duty uniform and bring a copy of DA Form 31 (Leave), assignment orders, and any amendments. Upon arrival at the Welcome Center, Soldiers will receive a processing checklist from the Human Resource Directorate (HRD), update their DD Form 93 and Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) information, and complete required administrative actions. Note that taxis and ride-share services cannot access the installation unless the driver holds a DoD ID card, so coordinate transportation with your sponsor in advance.
In-processing at Fort Belvoir follows a five-day timeline. Soldiers must also enroll themselves and family members in TRICARE through the Tricare Support Service Center at the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center before completing HRD processing. A mandatory Newcomer's Orientation is held on the second Tuesday of every month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Fort Belvoir Community Center (if the second Tuesday falls on a holiday, it moves to the third Tuesday). Quarterly Spouse Orientations are also conducted through Army Community Service in March, June, September, and December.
The Relocation Readiness Program (RRP) at Army Community Service, Building 1263 at 5965 6th Street, offers a Lending Closet that provides basic household items such as pots, pans, tables, chairs, dishes, and car seats for up to 14 days at a time — requiring only a military ID and copy of orders. ACS also provides PCS planning consultations, pre- and post-move counseling, overseas orientation briefings, and welcome packets with local area information. For questions, contact the Relocation Readiness Program at (571) 231-7001 or (571) 231-7027.
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Temporary Lodging Details
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Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fort Belvoir.
On-post housing at Fort Belvoir is managed by Corvias Military Living, which operates family communities across the installation in Fairfax County, Virginia, with 2- to 4-bedroom homes featuring modern interiors, fenced yards, and access to community amenities. Corvias provides 24/7 maintenance support, dedicated on-site resident services staff, and an online portal…
Local Market
$3,000/mo
rent
/
$660,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Belvoir
145
45% Above National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Belvoir.
School Liaison Officer
Fort Belvoir School Liaison Office
2
Elementary Schools
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1
Middle Schools
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2
High Schools
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5
Colleges & Universities
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Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fort Belvoir sits in Fairfax County in the heart of the Northern Virginia suburbs. Families navigate one of the most competitive housing markets in the country, but are rewarded with access to excellent Fairfax County schools, federal job clusters, and easy metro and VRE connections to Washington, D.C. Traffic is a primary consideration in any off-post neighborhood choice.
Woodbridge / Lake Ridge
Suburban
Woodbridge and Lake Ridge in Prince William County are the most popular communities for Fort Belvoir families seeking a balance of affordability and commute convenience in the otherwise pricey Northern Virginia market. They offer suburban neighborhoods with good schools, reasonable prices by NoVA standards, and access to the VRE commuter rail for Pentagon-area duty. A high military density gives them a familiar feel.
Commute: 15–25 min
Gate: Tulley Gate / Main Gate
Schools: Prince William County Public Schools
Families with kids
Dual military
Budget-friendly
Single service members
Occoquan Regional Park and the Occoquan Reservoir offer excellent outdoor recreation. Potomac Mills outlet mall is a major retail draw. VRE access to Crystal City and Pentagon for dual-military families. Closer to DC than many imagine.
Alexandria (South / Kingstowne)
Suburban
The Kingstowne area in southern Fairfax County sits close to Fort Belvoir and offers a more upscale, walkable lifestyle for families who can afford the premium. Schools are excellent in Fairfax County, the commercial infrastructure is outstanding, and proximity to the Mount Vernon area gives it a historic character. It's the choice for O-5+ and GS-13+ families who want to maximize NoVA quality of life.
Commute: 10–15 min
Gate: Tulley Gate
Schools: Fairfax County Public Schools
Families with kids
Retirees
Dual military
Fairfax County schools are among the best in the nation. Kingstowne Town Center has excellent dining and retail. Mount Vernon Estate and the GW Parkway are minutes away. Metro Blue Line access to DC gives car-free commuting options.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Belvoir.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully taxed
Retirement Pay
Partially exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Virginia taxes active duty pay of Virginia residents (home of record = VA) at graduated rates up to 5.75%. Nonresident s…
Spouse Income Tax
Nonresident military spouses sharing the same domicile as a service member stationed in Virginia, or who have elected th…
Vehicle Registration
Nonresident active duty service members stationed in Virginia are exempt from local personal property tax on vehicles —…
Property Tax
100% totally and permanently disabled veterans (or surviving spouses) are exempt from real property taxes on their prima…
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Pet Policies at Fort Belvoir
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Belvoir.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Belvoir Veterinary Center
Phone
(703) 805-4336Hours
Mon–Fri (call to confirm current schedule)
Restricted Breeds
6
Prohibited Animals
13
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
1
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Leash Laws
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Belvoir.
Commissary
1
Fort Belvoir Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
PX
Medical
1
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
2
Fitness Center
Outdoor Rec
Employment & Education
3
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Belvoir.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Tulley Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
Is there a commissary on base?
Yes, Fort Belvoir Commissary is on-base and open to all authorized DoD ID card holders. Call (703) 806-6674 for current hours.
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03
Is there a PX on base?
Yes, Fort Belvoir has a PX (Post Exchange) offering tax-free shopping for authorized ID card holders.
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04
What is the base hospital or clinic?
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital is the primary military treatment hospital serving Fort Belvoir. Call (571) 231-3224 for appointments or the nurse advice line.
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05
Is there a childcare center on base?
Yes, Fort Belvoir has a Child Development Center (CDC) offering full-day and part-day programs. Waitlists fill quickly — register at MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as orders are received.
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06
Is there temporary lodging on base?
Yes, Fort Belvoir has on-post temporary lodging available for incoming PCS personnel and TDY visitors. Reserve early — spaces fill fast during peak PCS season (May through August).
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07
What school district serves the base?
Fairfax County Public Schools (rated A) serves most military families at Fort Belvoir. Visit https://www.fcps.edu for enrollment info and the school finder tool.
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08
Are there pet breed restrictions on base?
Yes, on-base housing at Fort Belvoir restricts certain breeds including Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, and others. Contact the housing office or review your lease addendum for the full restricted breeds list.
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09
Is there on-base pet boarding?
Yes, Patriot Pet Care offers on-base boarding and daycare for military families at Fort Belvoir. Call (703) 805-1102 to check availability and reserve.
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10
Is there a gym on base?
Yes, Fort Belvoir has a fitness center available free of charge to active-duty, Reserve, and retired members and their eligible family members. Contact MWR for current hours and locations.
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11
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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12
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Fort Belvoir.
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13
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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14
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Fort Belvoir.
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Data & Methodology
The information on this page is compiled through a combination of sources. We reference official U.S. Department of Defense publications, branch directives, and installation command websites on a regular cadence to ensure accuracy across policy, regulation, and operational data. Where relevant, we supplement that foundation with credible auxiliary resources, including verified government agencies, military support organizations, and established partners with direct ties to the installation community.
Our editorial team includes past and present military personnel who review and contribute firsthand knowledge — ensuring what you read reflects the real experience of military life, not just what's written in a regulation.
MyBaseGuide is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Defense, any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, or any government agency. Information is provided for general reference and updated periodically. It may not reflect the most recent changes to installation policy or command decisions. Always confirm time-sensitive details directly with your gaining installation.