PENTAGON
ARMY
Arlington, VA
United States
PENTAGON
ARMY
Arlington, VA
United States
Pentagon
Base Essentials
Training and fielding network modernization requires a fully unified effort to ensure force readiness with the least possible disruption. by Brent Smith, Lawrence Holgate and Amy Walker To retain technological advantage over peer and near-peer adversaries, the Army must continually improve its ability to share data across the networkfrom the foxhole to the Pentagon. In support of that objective, the service conducted training and fielding of multiple new network transport capabilities across the 25th Infantry Division (ID), at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, in three months. Fielding numerous capa...
Base Details
Type
Joint Base
Branch
ARMY
Command
OSD
Status
Active
Est.
1943
Acres
583
Active Duty
23,000
Civilian
23,000
Population
6,300,000
Economic Impact
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Pentagon History
The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, was completed in 1943 and is the headquarters of the Department of Defense. It is the world's largest office building, housing approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees across 6.5 million square feet of office space. The Pentagon was attacked on September 11, 2001, when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building, killing 184 people. It was repaired and continues to serve as the nerve center for U.S. military operations worldwide.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Office of the Secretary of Defense
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Joint Chiefs of Staff
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Service headquarters
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Historic Timeline
1941
Groundbreaking on September 11, 1941
1943
Building Completed and Dedicated
1993
Pentagon Renovation Program Launched
2001
September 11 Terrorist Attack
2011
Pentagon Renovation Completed
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View Key Moments
(5)
1941
Groundbreaking on September 11, 1941
Construction broke ground on the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on September 11, 1941 — exactly 60 years before the 2001 terrorist attack on the same building. Designed by architect George Bergstrom, the project employed approximately 13,000 construction workers who built the five-sided structure in just 16 months.
1943
Building Completed and Dedicated
The Pentagon was dedicated on January 15, 1943, becoming the world's largest office building at 6.5 million square feet of floor space. The five-story, five-sided structure housed the leadership of all branches of the U.S. military and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
1993
Pentagon Renovation Program Launched
The Pentagon Renovation Program (PENREN) was launched to completely modernize the 50-year-old building — upgrading aging electrical, mechanical, security, and communications infrastructure in a systematic wedge-by-wedge approach that would span nearly two decades.
2001
September 11 Terrorist Attack
At 9:37 AM on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and deliberately crashed into the western face of the Pentagon, killing 189 people — 59 aboard the aircraft and 125 in the building. It was the first hostile strike against the Department of Defense headquarters in history.
2011
Pentagon Renovation Completed
After nearly two decades of phased construction, the Pentagon Renovation Program was completed, fully modernizing all five wedges of the building while preserving its historic character. The project was one of the largest renovation efforts in U.S. history and included the rebuilding of the wing damaged on September 11, 2001.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Pentagon.
Pentagon Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Pentagon.
Main Gate
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Visitor Center Gate
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Back Gate
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Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Pentagon.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Pentagon.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Pentagon Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 811th Force Support Squadron
Phone
(703) 693-9460Hours
Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
In-Processing
The Pentagon is a headquarters building, not a traditional installation, so in-processing is service-branch specific. Air Force personnel attend a mandatory Newcomers' Orientation through the 811th Force Support Squadron. Register at 811FSS.pentagon.AFRC@us.af.mil. Army personnel in-process through Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (Building 230, Room 117).
Army personnel at JBM-HH complete Personnel and Finance in-processing daily 0800–1115, followed by "Start Right" installation-level processing every Thursday 1115–1530 (Building 230, Room 117). All Pentagon personnel require a building pass (DD Form 2249) through the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA), which includes an NCIC background check and biometric enrollment.
The Armed Forces Hostess Association (AFHA) at (703) 614-0350 provides welcome packets and area information for all service branches (Mon–Fri 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM). The Military Personnel Flight (811 FSS) at (703) 697-4110 handles administrative actions (Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, closed last Tuesday of month).
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Pentagon.
On-Base Housing
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Cost of Living Around Pentagon
150
50% Above National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Pentagon.
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Elementary Schools
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Middle Schools
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High Schools
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Colleges & Universities
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Popular Neighborhood
Suburban
Families
Short Commute
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Nearby Community
Urban
Singles
Nightlife
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Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Pentagon.
State Income Tax
Military Pay
Retirement Pay
Vehicle Tax
Vehicle Registration
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Property Tax
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Spouse Income Tax
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Combat Zone
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Pet Policies at Pentagon
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Pentagon.
Emergency Vet
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On-Base Vet Clinic
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Restricted Breeds
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Prohibited Animals
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Dog Parks
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Boarding & Kennels
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Pet Guidance
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Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Pentagon.
Commissary
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Exchange
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Medical
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Childcare & Youth
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MWR & Recreation
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Employment & Education
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pentagon.
01
Is there temporary lodging on base?
Yes, Pentagon 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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02
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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03
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 Pentagon.
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04
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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05
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 Pentagon.
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Question
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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.