Fort Belvoir Army Base Guide
Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is located 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. in Fairfax County. The fort hosts nine major commands and some 15 agencies within the Department of the Army. This fort has a unique, diverse mission, including support for Guard, Reserve, and Defense Department agencies.
Fort Belvoir Base History
Fort Belvoir began operations in 1915 as an Army training site for engineers. It would become known as Camp A. A. Humphreys around 1918, training more than 50 thousand troops and expanding to include the Engineer Replacement Training Center.
Eventually, the camp was redesignated as Fort Humphreys and eventually redesignated again as Fort Belvoir in 1935.
Over time, the installation became known for a training innovation–an obstacle course designed to teach soldiers how to handle themselves in combat. Sometimes known as a “confidence course”, this feature became a standard part of basic training across several branches of military service.
Thanks to decisions made during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission received a major set of transfers, and today the Fort hosts around 100 tenant organizations, the Army Reserve, the Army National Guard, the Department of Defense, and many other operations.
Today the Fort Belvoir mission is so diverse that the official site for the installation simply reads, “Welcome to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, home of numerous organizations.” The fort is a “strategic sustaining base,” hosting multiple major commands and projecting a global support presence.
Surrounding Area
Virginia Beach is about three hours south of Fort Belvoir, but many start by exploring the nearby Washington D.C. area with its impressive list of attractions, including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, and no shortage of tours, fine dining, and live entertainment to discover.
History buffs love the Petersburg National Battlefield, Pocahontas State Park, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Closer to the fort, you’ll find Workhouse Arts Center, the Army Museum, and four golf courses, including Laurel Hill Golf Club and the Fort Belvoir Golf Club. If you are new to the area, contact the Fort Belvoir MWR Office for discount tickets and tours to local attractions in D.C. and elsewhere.
Fort Belvoir Mission and Units
The Fort Belvoir mission is to provide global support for “all armed services”, and the diversity of the units hosted here is impressive. Many agencies call the fort home or have been supported by it in the past. They include the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Fuel Supply Center, and the Defense Technical Information Service. Important missions and units at Fort Belvoir have included:
- 12th Aviation Battalion
- 249th Engineer Battalion
- Army Management Staff College
- Criminal Investigation Command
- Defense Logistics Agency
- DeWitt Health Care System
- Headquarters Battalion Fort Belvoir
- Intelligence and Security Command
- Joint Personal Property Shipping Office, Washington Area
Fort Belvoir In-Processing and Check-In
Those traveling to Fort Belvoir on PCS or TDY orders will sign in at the gaining unit or training unit. If you are on PCS orders, expect to in-process at the Fort Belvoir Welcome Center.
Hand carry your orders, leave forms and any amendments, and come to your in-processing in the uniform of the day. Be sure to save all transportation receipts, especially those for travel from the airport to the Fort.
Child Care at Fort Belvoir
There are two Child Development Centers at Fort Belvoir, and additional care options may be available from Child and Youth Services on post. You may also have the option to choose Family Child Care (FCC) offered on-post via private homes that are certified and regulated.
Waiting lists and other considerations may apply; call 703-805-5555 to learn more about waiting lists, signup, and requirements. Depending on location, hourly and full day care may be available.
Fort Belvoir Housing
On-post family housing is run by The Villages at Belvoir, operating under a public/private partnership with the U.S. Army.
According to the DoD, “Fort Belvoir homes are available to all military families assigned to the Military District of Washington, D.C” and that means high demand and waiting lists.
It’s best to contact the Fort Belvoir Housing Services Office as soon as you have orders: you will also be required to visit this office during in-processing. Call 703-805-3019 for waiting list information or what your options are as an unaccompanied service member or “geographic bachelor.”
At the time of this writing, single service members should know that according to the DoD, “Currently all personnel authorized BAQ at the without dependent rate in the Pay Grade of E5 and below are required to live in the Barracks.”
Related: BAH Calculator
PCS and TDY Lodging
Fort Belvoir Lodging provides temporary lodging for those traveling on PCS or TDY orders. Those on official travel status may have priority, be sure to mention your status (leave, TDY, PCS) when making the reservation. You can reserve a room six months in advance of official travel.
It’s not safe to assume the availability of pet-friendly facilities; ask in advance and be sure to mention the number and size of your pets. Call (703) 704-8600 for reservations, pet policies and off-post options if you must accept a statement of non-availability and use a local hotel.
Transportation
If you travel on PCS or TDY orders to the area, know that local traffic conditions can be a major complication for local drivers. You should coordinate your arrival here with your sponsor to discuss the best way to proceed after arriving. There are several airports serving the area:
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- Baltimore-Washington International
- Thurgood Marshall Airport
Rush hour traffic is a serious issue for most airports listed here. The usual ride-sharing options and commercial taxis/shuttles are available, but know that rush hour could make ride-sharing or taxis more expensive.
Fort Belvoir Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Vehicle registration is no longer required at Fort Belvoir. If you are active-duty military, spouses, and dependents can use their unexpired driver’s license issued in another state, a Virginia license is not required in these cases.
If you buy a vehicle while assigned to Fort Belvoir, you are permitted to register that vehicle in your home state or in Virginia. If your car is registered in your name, you may use it with valid out-of-state license plates as long as you are the sole owner.
Fort Belvoir Schools
Parents who reside on-post will send their school-age children to Fort Belvoir Elementary School-located on the post, or Woodlawn Elementary just off-base. Other choices in the area include Walt Whitman Middle School and Mount Vernon High School.
If you live in the local area, you may, depending on your zip code, send your children to schools in Fairfax County or Prince William County. Call the Fort Belvoir School Liaison Office for information on transfer requirements, registration deadlines, and immunization guidelines. Call them at 703-805-1350.
Colleges and Universities
There are several colleges represented on-post at the Barden Education Center. The following schools feature classes on-post:
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Park University
- University of Maryland
- Central Michigan University
- Webster University
- Old Dominion University
Contact the Barden Education Center to learn about options to get help with testing, education counseling, and other options at 703-805-9264.
Related: Ultimate GI Bill Benefits Guide
Contacts
Fort Belvoir
9800 Belvoir Road
Building 200
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5561
1-866-786-8664
Important Fort Belvoir Contact Numbers
- Army Community Service: 571-231-7001
- Army Continuing Education System: 703-805-9264
- Casualty Assistance Center: 703-805-3348
- Deers/Id Card Facility: 703-805-5578
- Directorate Of Emergency Services: 703-806-6911
- Fort Belvoir Community Hospital: 571-231-3224
- Housing Services Office: 703-805-3019
- Installation Safety Office: 703-806-3447
- Internal Review And Audit Compliance: 703-805-5224
- Parent And Outreach Services: 703-805-55555
- Recreational Lodging And Travel Camp: 703-805-3081
- School Age Services: 703-805-9100
- Transportation: 703-805-5674
- Villages At Belvoir Welcome Center: 703-619-3877
Related: Active Duty Benefits Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
