Fort Belvoir Army Base Guide
Located in Fairfax County near Alexandria, Virginia, Fort Belvoir is just outside Washington, D.C., and plays a unique role in Army and Department of Defense operations. Taking its name from the 18th-century Belvoir Plantation, it occupies a 1,500-acre tract acquired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1912.
By 1918, it had become the official home of the Army Corps of Engineers and was designated as Fort Humphreys before being renamed Fort Belvoir in 1934.
Fort Belvoir Base Guide
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- Location: Fairfax County, Virginia
- Zip Code: 22060
- Branch: U.S. Army
- Main Mission/Notable units: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
- Main Operator: 866-786-8664/703-805-4590
- Population: ~ 216,050 military, civilians, retirees, and families
- Official Website: Fort Belvoir
Check-In & In-Processing at Fort Belvoir
All arriving at Fort Belvoir for check-in must first report to their gaining unit. In-processing continues at the Fort Belvoir Welcome Center, 9625 Middleton Road, Building 1189, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060. The Welcome Center operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is closed on weekends and holidays, and is closed daily from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch, except for the DEERS and ID Card Office.
Key Documents to Hand-Carry:
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Orders (multiple copies)
- Military ID and Dependent IDs
- Marriage/Birth Certificates
- Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
- Medical and Dental Records
- School Records for Children
Newcomer’s Briefing
Newly arriving personnel will attend a mandatory Newcomers’ Briefing, which your unit will schedule. Newcomers’ Briefings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Woodlawn Chapel, starting at 9 a.m. If the second Tuesday falls on a holiday, the briefing moves to the third Tuesday of the month. Fort Belvoir also offers a quarterly Newcomers Orientation in December, March, June, and September, specifically for spouses.
Related: Active Duty Benefits Guide
Fort Belvoir Housing & Lodging
On-Base Housing
Housing on Fort Belvoir is privatized and managed by The Michaels Organization. The Villages at Belvoir offers on-post housing for service members and their families across multiple neighborhoods, including townhomes and single-family homes.
Contact the Housing Services Office as soon as you receive your orders to get on the waitlist.
- Housing Services Office (HSO): 703-805-3019
- Privatized Housing Partner: Villages at Belvoir / 703-619-3877
Off-Base Housing: Best Neighborhoods & Cities
Many servicemembers and their families live in the surrounding communities:
- Mount Vernon: One of the closest off-base options, Mount Vernon sits just 4 miles from Fort Belvoir and is known for its established neighborhoods, access to parks along the Potomac, and very short commute times.
- Lorton: Known for its quiet residential areas, parks, and trails, Lorton is approximately 7 miles from Fort Belvoir and provides one of the shortest off-base commutes.
- Alexandria: Located just outside Fort Belvoir, roughly 12 miles away (depending on the neighborhood), Alexandria is a mid-size metro that offers a wide range of apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes.
Related: Active Duty Benefits Guide
Fort Belvoir Temporary Lodging (TLF) & On-Base Inn
Holiday Inn Express Knadle Hall is Fort Belvoir’s on-post temporary lodging facility and operates as part of the IHG Army Hotels network. Rooms are furnished and include kitchenette setups with a microwave and range top, along with either a double or queen bed. Amenities include an exercise room, lounge areas, laundry facilities, and outdoor picnic pavilions.
Pets are allowed in certain rooms, with a maximum of 2 per room. Reservations may be made up to six months in advance for stays of up to 30 days, and early booking is recommended, especially during peak PCS seasons.
- Reservations: 703-704-8300
Fort Belvoir BAH, Cost of Living, and Allowances
Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on your rank, dependent status, and the base’s zip code. The cost of living in Fairfax County, VA is significantly higher than the national average.
See the 2025 BAH Rates for Fort Belvoir, 22060
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Schools & Child Care Near Fort Belvoir
On-Base Schools
Fort Belvoir is home to one school, which serves children living on the installation: Fort Belvoir Elementary School.
Local School Districts
Middle and high school students attend Walt Whitman Middle School and Mount Vernon High School, and children living in the Woodlawn Village community attend Woodlawn Elementary School, all of which are part of the Fairfax County Public School System. Nearby areas may also be served by Prince William County Public Schools, which includes elementary, middle, high, and specialty schools.
The School Liaison Office (SLO) is your primary resource for all questions regarding school registration, transfers, and local education options.
- School Liaison Office: (703) 806-0831
Child Development Centers (CDC)
Fort Belvoir includes multiple Child Development Centers on-post. These include the North Post Child Development Center, South Post Child Development Center, and JoAnn Blanks Child Development Center.
Child care placement and registration for Fort Belvoir are managed through the MilitaryChildCare.com website. In addition to CDCs, Family Child Care (FCC) homes are also available.
Fort Belvoir Directory
- Base Operator: 866-786-8664/703-805-4590
- Housing Office (MHO): 703-805-3019
- Privatized Housing: 856.596.0500 / 703-619-3877
- Temporary Lodging (Inn): 703-704-8300
- In-Processing/Welcome Center: 703-806-0831
- School Liaison Office: (703) 806-0831
- CDC Registration: MilitaryChildCare.com
- Medical Clinic / TRICARE: 571-231-3224
- Public Affairs Office: (703) 805-5001
BASE MISSION AND UNITS
Fort Belvoir’s mission operates a strategic sustaining base for the U.S. Armed Forces, providing critical logistical, administrative, and intelligence support, and houses over 145 tenant organizations and mission partners.
Agencies include the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
Related: Active Duty Benefits Guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Fort Belvoir
What is Fort Belvoir famous for?
Fort Belvoir is famous as a strategic sustainment base and a hub for defense and intelligence agencies near Washington, D.C. It is also known for the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA).
What is the name of the main medical facility on post?
The main medical facility is the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center, formerly known as Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
Can non-citizens access Fort Belvoir?
Non-citizens can access Fort Belvoir if they have an approved sponsor. The sponsor must register the visitor through the Visitor Control Center at Tulley Gate. Access requires a valid ID, such as a passport or Permanent Resident Card, and completion of required screening.
What is the closest major airport to Fort Belvoir?
The closest major airport to Fort is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). It’s located approximately 12 miles away from the base in Arlington, Virginia.
Related: Active Duty Benefits Guide
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.
The camp was redesignated as Fort Humphreys and then 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, the Fort 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.
Fort Belvoir 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 and the Washington Monument. There is 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.
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.
