Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall: Military Base Guide
ABOUT JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBMHH) is comprised of three main installations that were combined during the last round of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure): Fort Myer (Army), Henderson Hall (Marines), and Fort McNair (Army). These installations house headquarters units for the Army and the Marines, as well as the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW), which serves as the major command. Major units within JBMHH include the 3rd Infantry (the Old Guard), HHC U.S. Army Garrison, HHC U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Band, 3rd Military Intelligence, CID/Washington District, National Defense University, White House Communications Agency, and the National Guard Bureau. The headquarters battalion, Marine Corps National Capital Region, is located at Henderson Hall.
Fort Myer is most well-known for its role in the highly honored duties of managing Arlington National Cemetery. The 3rd Infantry Division, the Army's oldest infantry unit, was reactivated in 1948 and tasked with security of the greater Washington metro area, as well as taking on the role of the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the president. The Old Guard participates in over 6,000 ceremonies yearly at locations like the White House, the Pentagon, and other national memorials in the Capital Region—that's roughly 16 per day! They also hold the honor of keeping continuous vigil over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Fort Leslie J. McNair (commonly referred to as Fort McNair) is located in D.C. and has been an Army post for over 200 years, making it the third oldest in U.S. history! It has been the site of many iterations of military education and leadership training, and today is best known as the home of the National Defense University.
Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is located in the northern tip of Virginia, right along the Potomac River and just south of Washington, D.C., and west of the Pentagon. Major commuter thoroughfares include Interstate 395, Interstate 66, the George Washington Parkway, US Hwy 50/Arlington Boulevard, State Route 27/Washington Boulevard, and VA Route 110/Richmond Highway. It is also well-connected to regional public transit options, including the Metro's Orange and Silver Line at the Arlington Cemetery Metro station and numerous local bus routes.
Many active military and retirees in the area access Fort Myer to use the medical clinic or to shop at the large commissary or popular base exchange, but housing at JBMHH is minimal. At Fort Myer and Henderson Hall, accommodation is limited to a few barracks for single soldiers and historic housing reserved for extremely high-ranking officers (like Quarters One, home to the Chief of Staff of the Army). JBMHH supports personnel assigned to Fort Myer, Fort McNair, Henderson Hall, and the Pentagon, but you will be referred to Fort Belvoir, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, or Joint Base Andrews if you choose to live on post. Marines are authorized to apply for housing at Anacostia Naval Station.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services Office
— 101 Bloxon St., Bldg. 205, Rm. 139, Fort Myer, VA 22211 — PH: (703) 696-3558
Army Community Service
— 202 Custer Rd., Bldg. 201, Fort Myer, VA 22211 — PH: (703) 696-3510
Marine Corps Community Service
— 1555 Southgate Rd., Bldg. 29, Rm. 305, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Arlington, VA 22214 — PH: (571) 693-5224
Army School Support Services
— 102 Custer Rd., Bldg. 203, Fort Myer, VA 22211 — PH: (703) 965-4950
Marine & Family Programs – School Liaison Program
— PH: (703) 693-8378
Note: Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time.