Fort McNair
Fort McNair Relocation Information
Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash
Welcome to Fort McNair
Fort McNair is located in southwest Washington, DC, on the tip of the peninsula called Greenleaf Point. It lies at the junction of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River. To the southwest, across the Potomac, lies Reagan National Airport near the Pentagon and Mark Center in Alexandria.
Fort McNair is in the National Capital Region (NCR) and has an ideal Mid-Atlantic location with four distinct seasons. Area residents have access to year-round adventures in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland that include river, bay, and ocean excursions, cultural activities of every kind, and sporting events, not to mention government and historic buildings to tour.
Fort McNair is a part of the Fort Myer Military Community, now called Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. It’s home to Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region/Military District Washington (MDW) and the National Defense University. The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," is also located here.
The National Capital Region is home to a handful of military installations:
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort McNair
1. Who is Fort McNair named for?
The post was first named the Washington Arsenal. It was renamed Fort McNair in 1948 after Lieutenant General Leslie McNair, an Army Ground Forces commander whom died in Normandy, France, in 1944.
2. How many gates does Fort McNair have?
Fort McNair has two gates:
- Ceremonial Gate: open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 9 am.
- 2nd Street Gate: open 24/7
3. What is the zip code for Fort McNair?
The zip code for Fort McNair is 20319. Other nearby zip codes include 22206, 22308, 22314, 22304, and 22204.
4. What is the BAH for Fort McNair?
The BAH for Fort McNair ranges from $2,922 for E-1 to $3,876 for E-9 with dependents and $3,018 for O-1 to $4,398 for O-6 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
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Arrival Lodging
Fort McNair does not offer any arrival lodging on base. However, the nearby Navy Lodge on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and IHG Army Hotels Wainwright Hall - Historia at Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall welcomes incoming military service members and their families.
Navy Lodge
Location:
12 Beyer Road SW - Bldg 4412, Washington, DC 20032-5000
Contact: (202) 563-6950
IHG Army Hotels
Location:
318 Jackson Avenue, Bldg 50, Fort Myer, VA 22211
Contact: (703) 696-3576
Moving to the Washington, DC, area? Get our free guide to the area below.
Fort McNair Housing
There is no on-base housing offered at Fort McNair. Instead, military families seeking on-base accommodations can apply for housing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. JBAB housing is managed by Hunt Military Communities and offers seven military housing neighborhoods.
Bolling Family Housing
Location:
8660 Angell Street, Washington, DC 20032
Contact: (202) 987-6000
Fort McNair Off-Base Housing
Homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort McNair - Fort McNair Homes
Around Fort McNair, choosing an off-base home will mean balancing personal preferences associated with budget, commute, and school accessibility. Your family’s priorities will determine the best location to search for a home. Premium prices are typical for homes near top-rated schools or with easy commutes.
Commuting routes are challenging near Fort McNair, especially because of the rivers that divide access to Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. Although many places of work and home destinations are less than 15 miles in the distance, at peak traffic hours, it's not uncommon for drive times to measure beyond one hour and more. Washington, DC's Metro train and bus service is a significant regional transportation source.
Military families searching for homes should be aware that although stand-alone single-family homes are popular, townhouses, condos, and apartment living are all comparable options. For example, some neighborhoods only cater to those interested in townhomes, and single-family homes aren't available.
Base Search:
City Search:
Fort McNair BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort McNair is in D.C. with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort McNair BAH rates for zip code 20319:
- E-1 with dependents: $2,922
- E-1 without dependents: $2,283
- E-9 with dependents: $3,876
- E-9 without dependents: $3,204
- O-1 with dependents: $3,018
- O-1 without dependents: $2,889
- O-6 with dependents: $4,398
- O-6 without dependents: $3,768
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Support for Military & Families
Schooling Information:
School Districts:
Parents choosing homeschool have a unique option to apply for enrollment in Friendship Charter School, a Washington, DC, public online charter school. For families who wish to homeschool, the District requires the form, “Intent to Homeschool,” which is due by August 15 for the upcoming school year. There is a significant private school presence in DC, including schools with proximity to the historical Embassy Row in Washington, DC, and in Georgetown.
Volunteering Opportunities:
- Thrive DC
- Habitat for Humanity Washington, DC
- So Others Might Eat
- Miriam’s Kitchen
- Humane Rescue Alliance
- Dress for Success
- CASA for Children of DC
Higher Education for Military Spouses and Families:
- Georgetown University
- American University
- University of Maryland
- University of the District of Columbia
Military Family Support:
- USO
- Blue Star Families
- National Military Family Association (NMFA)
- Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Child Development Centers
- Child Care Aware of America
- MOPs and MOPs Next
- Stroller Strong Moms DC/NOVA
- DC Capital Striders
Things to Do Near Fort McNair
Photo by J. Amill Santiago on Unsplash
Cherry Blossom Festival: In 1912, Tokyo’s Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, DC. The festival celebrates the two country’s friendship and incorporates fun events, including cherry themed food and drinks at various restaurants around the city. A river cruise down the Potomac offers beautiful views of the blossoms.
Marine Corps Marathon: Known as “The People’s Marathon,” the Marine Corps Marathon is the largest in the world and weaves in and out of our Capital’s landmarks.
Mount Vernon: Take in views of the vibrant fall foliage as you cruise into Mount Vernon. You’ll find George Washington’s estate, museums, lush gardens, a distillery, and a gristmill here. This is a popular spot for school field trips.
National Christmas Tree Lighting: A staple since 1923, the national tree lighting has become an American tradition.
Smithsonian Museums: This is the world's largest museum complex, featuring 18 museums along the National Mall, one just south in Chantilly, VA, and two in New York. With so much to see and learn about, it’s best to plan your visits over weeks, not days. Or make multiple visits!
US Botanic Garden: Established in 1820, this is the oldest operating botanic garden in the US. The vibrant foliage and aromatic flowers are reason enough to visit this historical site.
Washington has a variety of sports teams to check out!
- Washington Capitals NHL
- Washington Commanders NFL
- Washington Nationals MLB
- Washington Wizards NBA
- Washington Mystics
More Area Info
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Base Address:
Fort Lesley J McNair
Washington
,
20319-5058