Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Belvoir was established in 1917 and is located along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, approximately 16 miles south of Washington, D.C. It is one of the most strategically important Army installations in the country, serving as home to a vast array of Army headquarters, defense agencies, and intelligence community organizations. Fort Belvoir underwent significant growth following the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, which brought tens of thousands of additional personnel to the post. The installation encompasses approximately 8,600 acres and includes a diverse community of active duty, civilian, and contractor personnel.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide installation support for a wide range of Army, Department of Defense, and intelligence community organizations; serve as a key administrative and logistics hub for the National Capital Region.
• Major Units:
• U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)
• National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) — headquarters
• Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) — headquarters
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) — headquarters
• Military District of Washington (MDW) — 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is in the MDW area
• U.S. Army Financial Management Command (USAFMCOM)
• Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) — headquarters
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
• National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) — nearby
• U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) — elements
• Tenant Units:
• Numerous defense agencies and intelligence community components
• Army Research Office (ARO) elements

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Washington, D.C. — approximately 16 miles north; Alexandria, VA — approximately 10 miles north
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) — approximately 15 miles north; Dulles International Airport (IAD) — approximately 30 miles northwest
• Gate Access: Multiple gates with 24/7 access for credentialed personnel; visitor access requires a valid government-issued photo ID and sponsor escort or prior coordination; the Visitor Control Center processes day passes; the post experiences significant traffic during peak commute hours; CAC holders use standard access lanes; vehicle registration and proof of insurance are required

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000-7,000
• Family Members: Approximately 8,000-12,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 50,000+ (including direct hire civilians and contractors — one of the largest concentrations in DoD)
• Total Installation Population: Over 60,000 personnel work on or regularly access the installation

Key Facilities

• Medical: Keller Army Community Hospital is not at Belvoir — Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH) is the primary medical facility; FBCH is a full-service military hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care, surgery, emergency services, and a wide range of specialty clinics
• Commissary: Yes — Fort Belvoir Commissary; large, well-stocked commissary serving the substantial installation population
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large AAFES Main Exchange; multiple shoppettes, a food court, car care center, and specialty concessions throughout the post
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers including the main Specker Physical Fitness Center; indoor and outdoor pools; Gunston Golf Course (two courses); bowling alley; marina on the Potomac River; outdoor recreation rentals; extensive MWR programs
• Schools: Fairfax County Public Schools serves on-post families; no DoDEA schools on post; several schools including Sandburg Middle School and South County High School are primary schools for Fort Belvoir families
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; high demand — wait times can be substantial (months to over a year); families are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Army Child Care Waiting List system immediately upon receipt of PCS orders; Family Child Care (FCC) homes on post provide additional options
• Veterinary Services: Fort Belvoir Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine wellness care, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and preventive medicine for eligible beneficiaries’ privately owned animals and military working dogs; appointment required
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Belvoir — provides legal assistance by appointment; limited walk-in services; contact (703) 805-2715 for current hours

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Corvias Military Living — neighborhoods include large established communities with a variety of home sizes; high demand given the installation’s proximity to D.C.
• Average Wait Time: Wait times can range from several months to over a year depending on grade and family size; the National Capital Region’s high demand makes on-post housing competitive
• Off-Post Housing: Alexandria, Springfield, Woodbridge, Lorton, Newington, and Dumfries are popular communities; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $1,800-$2,200 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $2,500-$3,500+ for a 3-4 bedroom home; the Northern Virginia market is among the most expensive in the country
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit or agency’s S1/Human Resources office to request a sponsor; given the diversity of organizations at Belvoir, sponsorship experiences vary by unit
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center (Building 211); in-processing typically takes 3-5 business days; many agencies conduct their own component in-processing in addition to garrison-level processing
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through Fort Belvoir Community Hospital; contact Army Community Service at Fort Belvoir for EFMP Family Support; the National Capital Region has extensive special needs resources available through both military and civilian channels

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers (average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s F) and cool winters with occasional snow; spring and fall are generally pleasant
• Cost of Living: High relative to national average; Northern Virginia is one of the most expensive regions in the United States, particularly for housing and childcare
• Nearby Attractions:
• Washington, D.C. — world-class museums (Smithsonian), monuments, and cultural attractions approximately 16 miles north
• Mount Vernon Estate (George Washington’s home) — adjacent to Fort Belvoir; a major historic attraction
• Virginia Wine Country (Loudoun and Fauquier Counties) — approximately 40-60 miles west; extensive wineries and outdoor recreation
• Spouse Employment: Excellent job market due to the massive concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and intelligence community organizations in the National Capital Region; the area offers some of the best employment opportunities for military spouses in the country

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/belvoir
• Main Installation Phone: (703) 545-6700
• MWR Website: https://belvoirmwr.com
• ACS / Army Community Service: Army Community Service, Fort Belvoir — Building 1226; contact (703) 805-3520 for appointments and information

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM, home.army.mil/belvoir, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Corvias Military Living, Fairfax County Public Schools, AAFES; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law