If you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly is the Pentagon?”, you’re not alone. The Pentagon has mystery surrounding it because it houses some of the most powerful components the U.S. military operates, but everyday access isn’t widely available compared to what military families are used to on typical installations. It’s also helpful to know that the Pentagon is the Department of Defense’s headquarters, and the names are often used interchangeably.
Depending on the stage of your career, you might not have planned for a Pentagon PCS yet, but the longer you stay in the military, the better your chances of spending time in one of the largest office buildings in the world.
The Pentagon is an office complex shaped like a pentagon when viewed from above. Each day, about 25,000 military and civilian employees walk from 16 parking lots, climb 131 stairways, and traverse about 17.5 miles of corridors.
Servicemembers assigned to the Pentagon won’t find many of the typical features of military bases, such as housing, but there are amenities that both civilians and military members have access to, including shopping, food options, ID offices, dry cleaning, and banking.
It’s common for newcomers to be confused about precisely where the Pentagon is located because it straddles Washington, DC, and Virginia. The Pentagon sits on land in Arlington, Virginia, near the banks of the Potomac River, but it uses six Washington, DC, zip codes as designated mailing addresses.
Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ned T. Johnston
The Pentagon is in the National Capital Region (NCR) and, at the same time, a part of what is known as the DMV (Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia). Because of the area's dense military activity, several installations are near the Pentagon. These are the primary bases near the Pentagon.
The Pentagon does not have on-base housing. The surrounding bases of Fort Belvoir, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (closest Army bases), Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Joint Base Andrews (closest Air Force bases), and NSA Fort Meade, Maryland, have housing options for eligible servicemembers.
Check out our Pentagon information page. It’s full of the must-know details needed for a PCS move to the Pentagon.
The majority of the people assigned to work at the Pentagon live in Washington, DC, Virginia, or Maryland. Most military families choose their location depending on personal preferences for budget, commute time, and their kids’ education opportunities.
In Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria, Springfield, Woodbridge, and Stafford are some of the popular off-base options.
Expect to pay premium prices for Pentagon homes for sale or rent that are zoned for top schools or have convenient commutes. Homes with larger property sizes and smaller price tags typically have longer commute times.
Real estate in the DMV can be a challenge for first-timers. Both property and money move quickly and often in cash transactions. Unless you're relocating from another expensive location, such as San Diego or Hawaii, you’ll want to prepare your finances to adjust to rental and home-buying costs.
Current NCR residents often recommend that incoming military families consult a qualified real estate agent familiar with the cities and neighborhoods under consideration. Make sure they’re licensed for your preferred location: Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC. Not all agents have licensure for all three locations, but many do.
Are you looking for a real estate agent near the Pentagon? Here’s a real estate professional directory to help you choose.
Public transportation is integral to the way of life surrounding the Pentagon. Servicemembers use public transportation to the Pentagon for multiple reasons: it saves time and money (the military provides a stipend for public transport, and parking at the Pentagon is limited). Not everyone will have an official space, and even if they do, it could be a 20-minute walk to enter the building.
Photo from Canva
The Pentagon has Metro train and bus routes convenient to the entrance. Express buses and shuttles pick up and drop off military commuters daily in popular commuting neighborhoods in Alexandria and Springfield and on some bases, such as Fort Belvoir.
Because the Pentagon is in an urban area, the local governments of Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland offer multiple outstanding public schooling options. Private schools are plentiful but costly, and resources are abundant for homeschoolers, many of which are free.
There are many school choices, but it’s a balancing act to mix commute times and housing payments with your desired school district. Learn more about schools near the Pentagon:
Join local Facebook or online neighborhood groups geared toward military members to find valuable insight into navigating the world of educating children throughout the greater Washington, DC, region. Check out GAMS—National Capital Region Military Spouses for quick military spouse connections near the Pentagon.
Photo from defense.gov by Lisa Ferdinando
There isn’t a better region among military destinations for military families to take advantage of the incredible resources designed specifically for them. The Washington, DC, area is filled with various entities that provide support systems.
From employment to education and recreation, there is a group eager to share opportunities with military families. Some recognizable names include Military Officers Association of America, National Military Family Association, Hiring Our Heroes USO Mid-Atlantic, and the Sheila and George Casey National Capital Region Chapter of Blue Star Families.
For spouses hoping to work or continue their careers, the following are the most prominent industries around the Pentagon: politics, PR and communication, military, economics, security, hospitality, and travel and tourism. Opportunities also exist for in-demand career fields, like IT and cyber security.
The challenge while stationed at the Pentagon is to do ALL the things to do! Take the advice of military families before you and start by making a list of your must-see and do activities. Time slips away quickly; before you know it, you’ll scramble to fit in last-minute adventures before your next PCS.
You’ll want to make plans for:
Photo from defense.gov by C. Todd Lopez
The challenge is also to become flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected opportunities that will inevitably appear. Impromptu invites to one-of-a-kind events are common, either through the servicemember’s job or thanks to any number of family-friendly military organizations in the NCR.
After families check off the major attractions like the Smithsonian system and monuments, it’s common to stick close to home and tour the local area, especially in Alexandria, because of its historical influence.
One of the first tours families often take is one of the Pentagon itself. Schedule your tour well in advance as they fill up quickly. Consider using the Metro instead of trying to find a parking space.
This information is just the beginning of what you need to know about your PCS to the Pentagon!
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