Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Monterey, California
Installation Type: Army Garrison / Presidio
Status: Active

Overview

The Presidio of Monterey (POM) is a historic U.S. Army installation in Monterey, California, with a military presence dating to the Spanish colonial era in the late 18th century. The current Army installation was formally established in the early 20th century and today serves as the home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), the world’s premier language training institution. POM also hosts the Presidio of Monterey Annex at Stillwell Hall and supports tenant organizations involved in intelligence, education, and research. The installation sits on the scenic Monterey Peninsula overlooking Monterey Bay.

Mission & Units

  • Primary Mission: Host and support the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), providing foreign language education and training to U.S. military, government civilian, and allied nation personnel.
  • Major Units:
  • Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) — primary mission tenant; trains thousands of students annually in over 25 languages
  • Presidio of Monterey Garrison — installation management
  • 229th Military Intelligence Brigade — provides oversight of DLI student training and military oversight of language training programs
  • Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) — major tenant located on adjacent Navy property; shares some installation services
  • Tenant Units: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) representatives; elements of the National Security Agency (NSA); various military service members attending DLI from all branches; allied nation students; civilian government linguist trainees

Location & Access

  • Nearest Major City: Monterey, California (installation is within the city of Monterey); San Jose (approximately 80 miles north)
  • Nearest Commercial Airport: Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), approximately 4 miles east; San Jose International Airport (SJC), approximately 80 miles north; San Francisco International Airport (SFO), approximately 110 miles north
  • Gate Access: Main gate on Corral de Tierra Road; valid CAC, Uniformed Services ID, or visitor pass required. Visitor Control Center issues day passes. Real ID-compliant identification required for unescorted civilian access. Installation perimeter security is active given intelligence-related mission.

Population

  • Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500–5,000 (students in training plus cadre and garrison; fluctuates with course enrollment cycles)
  • Family Members: Approximately 2,500–4,000
  • Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500–2,500 (large civilian faculty at DLIFLC)
  • Total Installation Population: Approximately 7,000–10,000

Key Facilities

  • Medical: Silas B. Hays Army Health Clinic (on post) — provides primary care, sick call, dental, pharmacy, and preventive medicine; outpatient services for active duty and eligible beneficiaries. For inpatient or specialty care, patients are referred to TRICARE network providers or Naval Medical Center San Diego.
  • Commissary: Yes — commissary located on the Presidio of Monterey; serves the installation and broader Monterey Peninsula military community; moderate size.
  • Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) on post; main exchange, shoppette, and food court options available.
  • Fitness & Recreation: Physical Fitness Centers on post; outdoor recreation areas; access to the Monterey Peninsula’s extensive outdoor recreation (hiking, cycling, running trails); swimming pool; MWR recreation programs; beach access nearby.
  • Schools: No DoDEA school on the installation; served by Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and surrounding California public school districts. Given DLI’s training mission, the majority of assigned families are students with relatively short tours (12-24 months).
  • Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on post; waitlists are common; early enrollment contact upon receipt of orders is recommended. Given the short-tour nature of many DLI assignments, childcare demand is high.
  • Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post providing routine preventive care, vaccinations, annual exams, and health certificates for military working animals and privately owned pets of eligible personnel.
  • Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate located on post; provides legal assistance to active duty personnel and their dependents; appointments required for most services.

Housing

  • On-Post Housing: Managed by Lend Lease or Lincoln Military Housing (verify current management with housing office); on-post housing is limited relative to population; mix of older and renovated units; several neighborhoods on the main installation and Annex.
  • Average Wait Time: Wait times are significant — often 6-18 months depending on rank and family size; the Monterey Peninsula’s extremely limited and expensive housing market makes on-post housing highly desirable.
  • Off-Post Housing: The Monterey Peninsula is one of the most expensive housing markets in California. Communities include Monterey, Seaside, Sand City, Marina, Pacific Grove, and Salinas (more affordable, approximately 20 miles inland). Average rent for 2-3 bedroom homes ranges from approximately $2,500–$4,000/month in Monterey/Pacific Grove; Seaside and Marina offer slightly lower rates ($2,000–$3,000/month); Salinas can be $1,600–$2,400/month. Housing costs are very high relative to BAH for many grades.
  • BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website. Monterey BAH rates are elevated but may not fully cover premium coastal rental rates.

PCS & Newcomer Info

  • Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit or DLI student detachment; Army Community Service (ACS) and the DLIFLC Student Detachment provide newcomer orientation and support.
  • In-Processing: Report to the Presidio of Monterey In-Processing Center and the DLIFLC Student Detachment; in-processing includes housing, medical, finance, and ID card appointments; plan for 2-4 business days. Students are typically assigned to a specific language training company.
  • EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment managed through Army Community Service at POM; medical screening through Silas B. Hays Army Health Clinic; Monterey Peninsula offers some special education resources through local school districts. Contact ACS at (831) 242-5766 (verify current number).

Local Area & Quality of Life

  • Climate: Mediterranean/coastal; mild year-round with cool, foggy summers (rarely exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and mild, rainy winters; very little temperature variation; generally pleasant but often overcast.
  • Cost of Living: Very High — the Monterey Peninsula is one of the most expensive areas in California and the nation for housing. Daily expenses, dining, and recreation are also above national averages.
  • Nearby Attractions: Monterey Bay Aquarium (world class, walking distance from the peninsula); 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach; Big Sur coastline (approximately 20 miles south); Carmel-by-the-Sea (approximately 5 miles); wine country in Carmel Valley and Salinas Valley; kayaking and whale watching on Monterey Bay.
  • Spouse Employment: The Monterey Peninsula has a limited local job market relative to its cost of living; tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and education are primary sectors. Remote work is increasingly important. California has military spouse licensing reciprocity provisions. The nearby Salinas Valley and Watsonville area offers agricultural industry employment.

Contact & Resources

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army official installation page (home.army.mil/monterey); Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (dliflc.edu); Presidio of Monterey MWR; general knowledge of installation as of August 2025; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law

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