Welcome to the National Defense University. The University is located on the grounds of Fort Lesley J. McNair in Southwest Washington D.C. between the Anacostia River and the Washington Channel. Our address is:
National Defense University
Fort Lesley J. McNair
300 5th Avenue
Building 62
Washington, DC 20319
Access
The National Defense University on Fort McNair is a tenant of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) and must adhere to installation access procedures established by the JBM-HH Commander as derived from Department of Defense Instructions and Army regulations. The determination of who is granted access to the installation is based on background checks through various authoritative databases. Submission of a request does not guarantee the request will be approved.
Procedures for US Citizens
- Holders of a DOD-issued CAC, dependent ID card or retiree identification cards are authorized access.
- Individual guests who are US citizens (not including commercial contractors) can request a one-day pass online at https://pass.aie.army.mil/JBMHH/. Requests for access should be submitted 3-14 work days prior to the scheduled date of the event. Status of the request will be sent via SMS text to the guest’s cell phone number they provided in their request. If approved, an electronic pass is embedded to the guest’s REAL ID driver's license or state ID, dependent on the form of identification used during registration. This embedded pass will be recognized by the scanner the guard's use. Visitors will need to present the same identification used during registration to the security personnel at the gate. If request has been denied, the guest should contact the VCC to determine if issue can be rectified; the VCC cannot release that information to the sponsor.
- Guests without a REAL ID driver’s license or state ID, or who fail to register online in time, must submit form JBM-HH 190-16X, “Installation Access Request" in person at the the Visitor Control Center in advance of the visit (see hours below), or may attempt in-lane vetting with a completed JBM-HH 190-16X, “Installation Access Request" and two forms of valid identification. The in-lane vetting process can be slow and is not recommended.
- Commercial contractors or vendors, regardless of nationality, must submit a competed form JBM-HH 190-16X, “Installation Access Request" along with two forms of valid identification to their Contracting Officer Representative (CoR) or sponsor. The sponsor / CoR must complete and forward documentation along with the JBM-HH Form 7, “Installation Support Request" to the JBM-HH BDOC. The contractors will still need to stop by the VCC to receive their pass and their vehicles are subject to search.
- Each guest must submit a request. Group requests are not allowed.
Procedures for International Guests
- International guests with a DoD-issued blue stripped CAC are authorized access if their CAC is provisioned for JBM-HH / Fort McNair. If their CAC is not provisioned, they must provide a memorandum of privileges in order for the VCC to activate their CAC for access. The memorandum of privileges should provide location and time of event they are requesting access. If VCC is closed the memorandum will allow the access control point personnel to issue a 24-hour pass. If the visit exceeds 24-hours, the guest will need to have his CAC provisioned for Fort McNair. Note: International guests with blue stripe are not authorized to vouch (Trusted Traveler) for other guests.
- International guests visiting the US for official business on an approved Foreign Visitor Request (FVR). FVRs are initiated by the guest through their respective embassy (typically attaché office) located in the U.S. The FVR must list as a visiting facility “National Defense University, 300 5th Ave, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC”, and should include the NDU sponsor or knowledgeable person as the POC. FVRs are eventually routed to the NDU FVR Administrator who will contact the identified NDU POC for review and concurrence. The NDU FVR administrator will subsequently provide the POC the approved FVRs to continue the installation access procedures.The sponsor will submit the FVR and a completed JBM-HH Form 7, “Installation Support Request" to the JBM-HH BDOC. Guests should bring a copy of passport and visa/ESTA with them. The sponsor or designated NDU staff member should meet the guest at the gate for final access; however, there is no requirement to stop at the VCC.
- International guests who are not on an approved FVR and do not possess a DoD-issued, blue-stripped CAC, must submit a completed JBM-HH 190-16X, “Installation Access Request" to their NDU sponsor in advance of the visit. The NDU sponsor submits the complete 190-16x and supporting documentation along with a completed JBM-HH Form 7, “Installation Support Request" to the BDOC for processing. If approved, the guest is required to stop at a VCC to finalize procedures to include having picture taken and receive their pass. Final processing time is dependent on the number of customers being processed at the time of arrival.
- International guests who are permanent residents of the U.S. and possess a valid Permanent Resident Card (aka Green Card) must follow same procedures as listed in paragraph 3 above. They should include their USCIS number located on the front of Green Card in block 10b; and provide a copy of their green card with the application to the sponsor.
- NATO and Invitational Travel orders are not in themselves adequate to gain access to the installation but should be provided as part of the completed 190-16x package.
Visitor Control Center Hours / Locations
- Fort McNair VCC (Building 65 at the entrance of the 2nd Street Gate) is currently open Monday-Thursday, 0700-1500. Mondays are for pedestrian turnstile registration only, unless a specific request is made in advance. Phone number: (202)-685-7762
- Fort Myer VCC (Building S-507, 29 Carpenter Rd, Fort Myer, VA) is open Mon – Fri, 0700-1530 & Saturday, 1000-1500. Phone number: (703) 696-0186 / 0189.
Email
Other Contacts
- JBM-HH DES Watch Officer. (703) 588-2800 / 2801. The Watch Officer should only be called when approved access is under scrutiny by a guard at the access control point.
- For large special events involving non-DoD guests, please coordinate in advance with NDU Security and Operations Management Directorates to ensure you have the most current information.
- POC for this document is Dale Owen, NDU Director of Operations Management.
Ceremonial Gate
The Ceremonial Gate on 4th Street SW is open for egress only from 1500 to 1800 in the evening, Monday-Friday (closed on federal holidays).
Map of Fort McNair
Public Transportation Links