MCB QUANTICO
MARINES
Quantico, VA
United States
MCB QUANTICO
MARINES
Quantico, VA
United States
MCB Quantico
Crossroads of the Marine Corps
Base Essentials
'The Crossroads of the Marine Corps' — A leadership and education hub with 26,000 personnel in Northern Virginia. Home of Marine Corps University, The Basic School, Officer Candidate School, and HMX-1 on 55,000 wooded acres south of Washington, D.C.
Base Details
Type
Marine Corps Base
Branch
MARINES
Command
MCICOM
Status
Active
Est.
1917
Acres
60,319
Active Duty
12,000
Civilian
6,000
Population
6,300,000
Economic Impact
$3 billion
MCB Quantico History
Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, often called the "Crossroads of the Marine Corps," was established in 1917. Located along the Potomac River south of Washington, D.C., it is home to the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, the Basic School (where all Marine officers are trained), Officer Candidates School, and the FBI Academy.
Quantico is the intellectual and doctrinal center of the Marine Corps, where concepts, tactics, and organization are developed and tested. It will continue to play a central role as the Marine Corps implements Force Design 2030 and future force modernization.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Marine Corps Combat Development Command
MCCDC
Other
MCCDC
Other
The Basic School
TBS
Other
TBS
Other
Officer Candidates School
OCS
Other
OCS
Other
Historic Timeline
1917
Marine Barracks Quantico Established
1920
Marine Corps Schools Established
1972
FBI Academy Opens at Quantico
1999
Marine Corps Combat Development Command Reorganized
2001
Marines Deploy in Response to September 11
—
View Key Moments
(5)
1917
Marine Barracks Quantico Established
Marine Corps Base Quantico was established on the Potomac River in Virginia during World War I as a training and staging area for Marines deploying to France. The remote location provided ample space for maneuver training, live-fire ranges, and the development of Marine Corps amphibious doctrine.
1920
Marine Corps Schools Established
Marine Corps Schools — the precursor to today's Marine Corps University — were established at Quantico to provide professional military education for Marine officers. The Basic School (TBS), which commissions every newly appointed Marine officer to this day, was established as part of this educational framework.
1972
FBI Academy Opens at Quantico
The FBI Academy opened at Quantico as a co-located tenant on the Marine base, establishing a training partnership that endures to the present day. The Academy provides rigorous law enforcement training for FBI special agents, local police officers, and international law enforcement officials from over 150 countries.
1999
Marine Corps Combat Development Command Reorganized
Marine Corps Combat Development Command was reorganized at Quantico, consolidating doctrine development, concept development, and experimentation under one headquarters to accelerate the development of future Marine Corps capabilities and warfighting innovations.
2001
Marines Deploy in Response to September 11
Following the September 11 attacks, Marine units and key command elements at Quantico were among the first to respond to the national security crisis. Quantico's proximity to Washington D.C. made it a critical node in the immediate military response and subsequent homeland defense operations.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for MCB Quantico.
MCB Quantico Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for MCB Quantico.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on MCB Quantico.
REAL ID Required
Trusted Traveler Suspended
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
Visitors over 18 without military ID must obtain a DBIDS card at the Visitor Control Center with pre-enrollment confirmation, completed NAVMC 5512 form, and valid REAL ID. Alternative documents are required for those without REAL ID, veteran cardholders, and Quantico residents.
Guest policy
Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico requires all visitors without a Department of Defense (DoD) ID to be sponsored and vetted. Guests must pre-register in the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) and stop by the Visitor Control Center (VCC) to obtain a pass.
Parking information
All vehicles require base registration or a temporary pass from the Visitor Control Center. Parking policies are strictly enforced.
Confirmed May 24, 2026
· Sources: official .mil sites, MilitaryOneSource, base guide
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from MCB Quantico.
Information
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Information
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Information
Explore Awe-Inspiring Nature at the Prince William Forest Park
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Entertainment Old
Great Games and Grub Await at Rosie's Gaming Emporium in Dumfries
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Quantico Marine Base vs. Quantico TV Show
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to MCB Quantico.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Installation Personnel Admin Center (IPAC)
Phone
(703) 784-2406Hours
Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In-Processing
All Marine Corps personnel reporting to MCB Quantico during normal working hours check in with the Officer-in-Charge at the Installation Personnel Administration Center (IPAC), located on the second deck of Building 2006 on Hawkins Avenue. Personnel arriving after duty hours report to the Area Officer of the Day at Headquarters & Service Battalion in the same building; the Command Duty Officer can be reached at (703) 784-2707. Bring PCS orders, service record book, and all travel documentation.
The IPAC Inbound Branch handles administrative onboarding including OQR/SRB updates, original orders endorsements, travel claim processing, and unit diary entries. After IPAC check-in, Marines report to their assigned battalion or squadron headquarters for the unit check-in sheet. The Commander's Welcome Aboard Brief is mandatory for all new active-duty personnel and is held approximately every other month, covering base services, medical, housing, childcare, schools, and local area orientation.
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Quantico operates the Information, Referral, and Relocation (IR&R) office at 3019 Embry Loop, Room 103 ((703) 784-2659). Per MCO 1754.10B, attendance at a PCS workshop is mandatory for all Marines executing a PCS move. The L.I.N.K.S. (Lifestyle, Insights, Networking, Knowledge, and Skills) program provides interactive acculturation covering Marine Corps history, ranks, local resources, benefits, pay, deployments, and traditions for Marines, spouses, and family members.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for MCB Quantico.
1,139
units
/
3 to 12 mos
wait
/
DC053
MHA
On-post housing at Marine Corps Base Quantico is managed by Liberty Military Housing, which operates family communities in a wooded setting along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, approximately 35 miles south of Washington D.C., with 2- to 4-bedroom homes available by rank and family size. Liberty provides an online portal for applications and maintenance, al…
Local Market
$2,000/mo
rent
/
$550,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around MCB Quantico
140
40% Above National Average
Housing
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See what you can afford using your rank, BAH, and local market data.
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near MCB Quantico.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Program - General
7
Elementary Schools
View schools
4
Middle Schools
View schools
3
High Schools
View schools
4
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
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
MCB Quantico is located in southern Prince William County and southeastern Fauquier County in Northern Virginia, approximately 35 miles south of Washington, D.C. Prince William County is a 336-square-mile county bordered by Stafford County to the south, Fauquier County to the west, and the Potomac River to the east. It is home to historic sites such as Manassas National Battlefield Park and modern amenities including Potomac Mills, the largest outlet mall in Virginia, and the Jiffy Lube Live outdoor amphitheater. Several Prince William County neighborhoods have appeared on CNNMoney's list of Best Places to Live.
Fauquier County, northwest of Prince William, encompasses 651 square miles at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its rolling countryside, quaint towns and villages, Civil War history, horse farms, wineries, and vineyards, Fauquier is among the fastest-growing and highest-income counties in the United States.
Stafford County, south of MCB Quantico, encompasses about 28 square miles. Stafford is a major hub for military personnel living off base. It's also home to the city of Fredericksburg, one of the most historically significant cities in America, and is home to numerous Civil War battlefields.
More than 152,000 veterans live in the surrounding area, and many base personnel choose to reside in the local communities. All three counties offer a mix of suburban and rural settings with convenient access to Washington, D.C., though the region is known for significant traffic congestion, particularly along the I-95 and I-66 corridors. Public transportation to Washington, D.C. is available via Amtrak or the Virginia Railway Express from some parts of the region.
Triangle
Suburban
Commute: 5 min
Schools: Prince William County Public Schools
Closest off-post community; limited shopping on-site (go to Dumfries); very short commute; affordable
Dumfries / Montclair
Suburban
Commute: 10 min
Schools: Prince William County Public Schools
Most popular off-post choice; Montclair lakeside community; strong military presence; good mix of rentals and homes for purchase
Stafford
Suburban
Commute: 20 min
Schools: Stafford County Public Schools
Newer homes (post-2010); quieter master-planned communities; south of base on I-95; popular with senior enlisted and officers
Woodbridge
Urban
Commute: 35 min
Schools: Prince William County Public Schools
More suburban DC feel; higher costs but more amenities and entertainment options; popular with officers and civilian DoD employees
Occoquan
Suburban
Commute: 20 min
Fredericksburg
Urban
Commute: 25 min
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at MCB Quantico.
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 at graduated rates up to 5.75%.
Spouse Income Tax
MSRRA applies. Virginia is the most common PCS state — taxes are a significant factor.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military may keep home-state registration. Virginia has personal property tax on vehicles.
Property Tax
Disabled veterans may qualify for property tax exemption. Rates vary significantly by county.
Combat Zone Exclusion
Virginia totally excludes active duty military pay earned in a combat zone from state taxable income for both enlisted p…
Additional Tax Notes
View full details below.
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Pet Policies at MCB Quantico
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at MCB Quantico.
Emergency Vet
14 mi
VCA Woodbridge Animal Hospital
2703 Caton Hill Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22192(703) 897-5665On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
3
Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
4
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
/
No Limit
Weight Limit
/
$250 per pet
Pet Deposit
Leash Laws
Pet-Friendly Housing
Local Pet Notes
Required Vaccinations
Pet Shipping Tips
Temporary Lodging
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at MCB Quantico.
Commissary
1
Quantico MCB Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
MCX
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Medical
11
Naval Health Clinic View — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
4
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Employment & Education
2
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MCB Quantico.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Gate 1 - Main Gate (Fuller Road) 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 temporary lodging on base?
Yes, MCB Quantico 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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03
Can I have my pet on base?
Yes, two pets per household are allowed in base housing. All pets must be registered with the Visitor Control Center within ten days of arriving on base or before they turn 4 months old. No wild animals or exotic pets are allowed. Be advised that there are breed restrictions in base housing on MCB Quantico. Restricted breeds include: Pit Bull Terriers (American/English Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Chows, and Canid/Wolf Hybrids or any mixes of those breeds. Contact Liberty Military Housing (quanticoinfo@livelmh.com or (703) 432-8500) for more information.
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04
What school district serves the base?
Prince William County Public Schools and Stafford County Schools serve most military families at MCB Quantico. Contact the School Liaison for more information about local school options.
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05
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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06
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 MCB Quantico.
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07
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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08
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 MCB Quantico.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.