Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia (also known as MCB Quantico or MCBQ for short) is known as “the crossroads of the Marine Corps” and is approximately 35 miles south of Washington, D.C., located in Prince William County, Virginia.
This installation is home not only to to the Marines, but also training facilities for the FBI and DEA.
The base population includes well over 28 thousand; there are more than 6,000 military personnel, 10 thousand civilians, approximately four thousand contractors, and over seven thousand military students at Quantico.
Find information about Marine Base Quantico including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Mission & Units
Marine Corps Base Quantico is dedicated to training, educating, and developing Marines as well as supporting and refining 21st century warfighting concepts; the official site for The Quantico mission states, “This is perhaps the only command whose mission touches the furthest reaches of the Corps. Decisions made here impact Marines aboard ship, fighting in the Global War on Terrorism, on guard duty at embassies across the globe, and on reserve duty throughout the U.S.”
The MCB Quantico mission also includes acting as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for organizations in the National Capital Region not under the Command of a General Courts-Martial Convening Authority.
MCB Quantico Units
Units and operations At MCB Quantico include but are not limited to:
- Marine Corps Embassy Security Group
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command
- Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
- Marine Corps Recruiting Command
- Manpower and Reserve Affairs Division, Headquarters Marine Corps
- Marine Corps Systems Command
- Marine Corps Training and Education Command
- The Basic School
- Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Staff Training Program
- Marine Corps University
- Officer Candidates School
- Marine Corps Network Operations Security Command
- Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment
Tenant Activities on MCB Quantico include:
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- Drug Enforcement Administration training academy
- FBI Academy
- FBI Hostage Rescue Team
- Marine Raider Museum
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service
- Headquarters, Army CID
- Headquarters, AFOSI
Marine Corps Base Quantico History
The Quantico area in general was an important place in American history; many heroes of the American Revolution were from the area and the roads were used to transport war supplies and munitions for both sides of the conflict.
During the Civil War the area would become strategically critical thanks to a Confederate cannon blockade of the Potomac. In the late 1800s the area was purchased by land speculators and later sold to the United States Government.
World War One And World War Two
That sale happened in 1917, and in the same year The Commandant of the Marine Corps established Marine Barracks Quantico. The base would be used as a training area for the 4th Marine Brigade during World War One, and became known as Marine Corps Schools Quantico.
Warfighting techniques developed at Quantico by a predecessor to Marine Corps Systems Command design would prove invaluable during World War Two; amphibious warfare strategies were used by units that would eventually become known as the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) during the war.
A Changing Mission For MCB Quantico
FMF was headquartered in Quantico until 1941, when the Marine Corps Base Quantico official site states that the base’s main mission had become, “the education of individual Marines, rather than the large unit training it had conducted in the past”.
Marine Corps University was added to the base’s missions in 1989; a variety of Professional Military Education schools work in partnership with the University including:
- Marine Corps War College
- School of Advanced Warfighting
- Command and Staff College
- Expeditionary Warfare School
- Enlisted PME branch
- College of Distance Education and Training.
Quantico: The Gateway To Officer School and Marine Professional Military Education
Today, all Marine Corps officers start their careers at Quantico, and the base is the site of much professional development and education.
During the Vietnam era, the name was changed to Marine Corps Development and Education Command (MCDEC), “reflecting the command’s dual mission of military education and the development of new concepts and weapons” but in the 1980s the focus changed again and the command has been known since as the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC).
Other Important Changes At Quantico
In 1995, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory began operations at Quantico with a mission to develop new tactics and military technology to experiment with 21st-century warfare. In 1998, Headquarters Marine Corps moved Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Marine Corps Recruiting Command to Quantico; in 2015, MCB Quantico was designated Marine Corps Installations Command-National Capital Region – Marine Corps Base Quantico.
There have been changes and alterations since then; today Quantico is home to over 28,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.
MCB Quantico contributes nearly $5 billion to the economy in the area, supporting approximately 30 federal agencies. Marine Corps Base Quantico celebrated its’ 100th birthday in 2017.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Contacts
Main Address and Phone Numbers
3019 Embry Loop
Marine Corps Base
Quantico, VA 22134-5001
- Phone 703-784-2659 / 800-336-4663
- Phone (DSN) 312-278-4961/2
- Fax 703-784-0859
- Fax (DSN) 312-784-0859
Marine Corps Base Quantico Important Telephone Numbers
When calling on base and dialing from one on-base number to another dial either 784 or 432 and the last four of the phone number.Telephone numbers starting with 640 or 630 require dialing the 703 area code.
- Local Directory Assistance 800-373-3411
- Base Information 784-2121
- Operator (From Military Numbers) 113
- Worldwide DSN Dir. Assist. 94-231-1311
- Local DSN 278-xxxx/378-xxxx
- Telephone Repair 784-2500
- Family Services Center Advocacy 784-3523
- Family Services Center 784-2659
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service 784-2993
- NMCI Help Desk 866-843-6624
- Marine Corps Exchange 432-8800
- Military Personnel Office 784-3941 or 800-268-3710
- Officer Candidates School (Permanent Party) 784-2671
- Officer Candidates School (Admin) 784-2351
- The Basic School Adjutant Office/S-1 784-5207
- MCCDC Command Duty Officer 784-6281
- Headquarters & Service Battalion S-1 784-2261
- Marine Corps Systems Command 432-3964
- Marine Corps Air Facility 784-2441
- Marine Corps Embassy Security Group 784-3268
- Naval Medical Clinic 784-1725
- Officer Candidates School 784-2351
- Security Battalion 784-2251
- The Basic School 784-5207
Marine Corps Base Quantico Surrounding Area
Quantico is surrounded by history and famous national landmarks. In the local area, attractions include Potomac Point Winery, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Mallows Bay River and Part, plus Potomac Mills shopping mall.
But Quantico is very close to Washington D.C. and the attractions there which include the Smithsonian, the National Air And Space Museum, Vietnam and Korean War memorials, and much more. Fredericksburg and Manassas are also nearby, featuring a wealth of Civil War history. Manassas is the site of the First and Second Battles of Bull Run, featuring daily ranger-led tours.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Inprocessing and Check-In
Marine Corps Personnel
All Marine Corps personnel arriving to Quantico during normal duty hours are required to check in with the Officer-in-Charge, Installation Personnel Administration Center. Those reporting in after duty working hours must report to the Area Officer of the Day, Headquarters & Service Battalion.
Navy Personnel
Navy personnel are required to report to the Navy Personnel Office, (or other location as designated in PCS or TDY orders) during normal duty hours. After hours reporting is made to the Duty Officer at the Naval Health Clinic, 703-784-1725.
Officers and Staff Non-Commissioned Officers who need bachelor housing should chekc in with the Bachelor Housing Office in Liversedge Hall, 703-784-3149.
For all personnel, bring copies of PCS or TDY orders, medical and school records, marriage license where applicable, insurance policies, shot records, passports, wills and powers of attorney for inprocessing and check-in.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Services
Child Care
There are two DoD-certified Child Development Centers (CDC) at Quantico. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Quantico CDC programs include hourly care for ages one to five years for a maximum of 25 hours per week, part-day programs for three and four year olds, plus full-day care options for children between six weeks to five years old.
Quantico also offers a Family Child Care (FCC) program for children between six weeks and 12 weeks old; child care is provided by military spouses located in military family housing unit. Each FCC home is monitored; they are required to be licensed annually.
Quantico also has a school-age care program that includes before and after school programs for children kindergarten age through middle school students. Full-time care is offered for holidays and summer breaks, with hourly care open during teacher work days, unscheduled school closings, etc.
Medical Care
Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia is served by the Naval Health Clinic (NHC), Quantico, located at 3259 Catlin Ave. This clinic does not provide emergency services; those who need emergency assistance should call 911 and will be treated in the nearest available emergency room.
Those who are covered by TRICARE Prime must call (877) TRICARE 874-2273 to receive authorization for acute out-of-area medical care. NHC offers health services to all eligible beneficiaries who have enrolled in TRICARE Prime at Quantico. The following non-emergency services / specialists are available at the Naval Health Clinic Quantico:
- Family practice
- Primary care
- Pediatrics
- Sports medicine
- Flight surgeon
- Internal medicine
- Mental health
- Optometry
- Occupational/preventive medicine
- Radiology
- Social services
- Physical therapy
Specialist appointments are by referral only; contact the clinic via their toll-free number, 1-888-784-1802.
ID Card Renewal / Replacement For Military Retirees, Dependents
For replacement ID cards, renewed or new military ID cards, Common Access Cards (CAC), etc. Marine Base Quantico directs users to schedule an appointment via RAPIDS. One appointment is required per family member. Walk-in service is open on a space-available basis only.
Military members who need CAC PIN number resets due to “Locked & Blocked” Common Access Cards should go to IPAC, Building 2006.
Household Goods
MCB Quantico directs all personnel to schedule and manage household goods shipments via The Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. Those who need information on PCS entitlements should check the following resources depending on branch of service:
- Navy: 855-HHG-MOVE (855-444-6683)
- Marine Corps: 703-695-7765
- Air Force: 210-652-3357
Marine Corps Base Quantico Schools
On base, MCB Quantico offers two DoD schools located on MCB Quantico. Crossroads Elementary School is for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Quantico Middle/High School serves students in grades six through 12. Bus service is available for students who live on-base.
Entrance requirements include the following:
On or before September 1st of the enrolling year, the enrolling child must be:
- 4 years old to enroll in Pre-Kindergarten
- 5 years old to enroll in Kindergarten
- 6 years old to attend 1st grade
Off-base, military families are served by school districts in the following counties:
- Prince William
- Stafford
- Spotsylvania
Virginia state law requires the following immunizations for school-age children:
- Diphtheria
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
- Tetanus. Three doses as an infant.
- Tetanus / Diphtheria) booster is required if ten years have elapsed since the last booster.
- Oral Polio Vaccine (two doses as an infant, booster after the fourth birthday and before school)
- Measles (Rubeola)
- Mumps
- German Measles (MMR), first dose at 12 to 15 months of age.
Virginia law also requires students to have a second dose of measles (rubeola) vaccine before kindergarten. Hepatitis B, evidence of immunization against Hepatitis B will be required for children born on or after January 1, 1994.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Housing
There is a varying waiting period for on-base housing that ranges from a few weeks to a full year. On and off base military housing has been privatized and is operated by Lincoln Military Housing.
To learn about on base housing options call 703-432-8500. Those who need referrals for off-base housing should dial 703-784-2711/2291, or via DSN at 312-278-2711/2291.
On-base military housing is not mandatory; once the military member has out-processed from the losing base, it is permissible to check in at Quantico for housing consideration before arriving for duty.
Those carrying detachment orders should contact the Office-In-Charge, Installation Personnel Administration Center on the 2nd floor of building 2006 (H & S BN) Hawkins Ave.
Marine Corps Base Quantico PCS and TDY Lodging
Military families PCSing to Quantico should make reservations with The Crossroads Inn at 800-965-9511. High volumes of PCS/TDY travelers make it necessary to reserve as far in advance as possible (up to 60 days in advance is permitted). The Crossroads Inn has more than 130 rooms in varying sizes for PCSing families. Unfortunately, no pets are allowed at the Crossroads Inn.
Unaccompanied service members (And DoD civilians) traveling on PCS and TDY orders will use Bachelor Housing; make reservations at 703-784-3148/9.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Transportation
Marine Corps Base Quantico is served by Base Motor Transport Operations, which operates a shuttle service for Virginia Railway Express commuters to and from their work locations at Quantico.
There is also a base taxi service featuring no-cost services for CAC card-carrying base employees. This service is available for on-base transportation needs that are one mile away from the starting point or farther. This one-way service (return trips must be booked separately) is available via (703) 432-1615.
Off base travel is available via OmniLink Bus Service from Quantico to Triangle, Dumfries, and Woodbridge. Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express both offer train service to and from the town of Quantico, VA.
Marine Corps Base Quantico Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Base vehicle registration is required; the vehicle operator must carry minimum coverages as required by the state of Virginia plus a current safety inspection sticker (assuming the vehicle is registered in Virginia). All motorcycle drivers will be required to complete a safety course.
All drivers under 26 years old are required to complete a military driver’s improvement course to obtain permanent base driving permission. Register privately owned vehicles at the Quantico Vehicle Registration Office; contact them at 703-432-7375.
Those who are at Quantico via PCS or TDY orders who drive with an out of state license may do so; military family members may also use the valid driver’s license issued by the state they are from.