Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico PCS Guide
Military Base History
U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Shooting Team are awarded the Inter-Corps Cup during the Marine Corps Championships Award Ceremony hosted by Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, April 18, 2025. Historically, the Royal Marine Commandos have sent a team to...
Marine Corps Base Quantico began in 1917 as a training camp for Marine Corps units during World War I. Its original mission was to prepare Marines for combat and provide a staging ground for deployment.
The base's location along the Potomac River in Virginia offered strategic value for both training and logistics. Early construction focused on barracks, ranges, and support facilities to accommodate the rapid influx of personnel.
Major Units & Training Programs
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Marcus A. McDonough, right, and Lance Cpl. Caleb T. Hall, riflemen with Alpha Company, Marine Barracks Washington, clear a structure during Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain training at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, April 30, 2025. This comprehensive...
Major Units
Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC)
MCCDC is responsible for developing Marine Corps warfighting doctrine, integrating training and education, and overseeing the development of future operational concepts and capabilities.
Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC)
MCSC equips and sustains Marine forces with advanced technology, weapons systems, and equipment to support current and future operations.
Training and Education Command (TECOM)
TECOM oversees all aspects of training and education for the Marine Corps, ensuring Marines are prepared for operational requirements worldwide.
Training Schools
The Basic School (TBS)
Overview
TBS provides newly commissioned Marine Corps officers with foundational leadership, tactics, and operational skills required for service as a Marine officer.
Course Length
6 months
Who Attends
Newly commissioned Marine Corps officers
Officer Candidates School (OCS)
Overview
OCS evaluates, screens, and trains individuals seeking to become commissioned Marine Corps officers, focusing on leadership, academics, and physical fitness.
Course Length
10 weeks
Who Attends
Officer candidates
Arrival & In-Processing
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Benjamin Boydstun, a military police officer with Marine Corps Base Quantico Provost Marshal Office, and a Springhill, Kansas native, highlights his badge at back gate 2 on MCBQ, Dec. 11, 2024. PMO prides themselves on protecting the lives, rights, and property of all...
Welcome to Marine Corps Base Quantico, the Crossroads of the Marine Corps. Arriving prepared ensures a smooth start for you and your family. Review all steps and requirements before your arrival to avoid delays. For detailed information, visit the official base website.
The main access point to Marine Corps Base Quantico is the Main Gate, located off Interstate 95. The Main Gate operates 24/7 for authorized personnel. All adults must show a valid Military ID, CAC, or DoD-issued credential. State driver’s licenses must meet REAL ID Act standards—non-compliant IDs are not accepted. Expect 100% ID checks and random vehicle inspections at all gates. The base maintains a high security posture, so cooperate with security personnel at all times. Visitors and family members must obtain a pass at the Visitor Control Center before entering the base. Sponsors must accompany guests during the pass process.
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PCS Orders (multiple copies)
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Military ID/CAC
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Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
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Birth Certificates (for dependents)
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Social Security Cards
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Vehicle Registration & Insurance
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Medical/Dental Records
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Housing Assignment or Lease Agreement (if applicable)
Marine Corps Base Quantico offers a robust sponsor program for incoming personnel. To request a sponsor, contact your gaining unit’s administrative office or use the online sponsorship request form available through your service’s relocation assistance portal. Your sponsor will help guide you through arrival, in-processing, and settling in.
Formal in-processing takes place at the Welcome Center, Bldg 2006, near the Main Gate area. The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday, 0730–1630. Key steps include Personnel check-in, Finance, Housing, Medical, and Unit Check-in. Plan for the process to take 2–3 business days, depending on your needs and office wait times.
The Visitor Control Center (VCC) is located just outside the Main Gate, adjacent to the base entrance. The VCC is open Monday through Friday, 0600–1800, and Saturday, 0800–1200. Services include issuing visitor passes, DBIDS registration, and processing guest sponsorships. All visitors must present valid identification and be sponsored by an authorized base member.
PCS & Relocation Essentials
Professional movers unloading empty moving boxes out of their truck to start moving more Soldiers out of the Smoke Bomb Hill barracks, Sept. 14, 2022 at Smoke Bomb Hill, Fort Bragg, N.C. Soldiers were given the option to move their own things by a dity move or having movers pack their things up and move it for them.
When you receive PCS orders to Marine Corps Base Quantico, start by reviewing your official orders and contacting the base Transportation Office. Use the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) at move.mil to set up your move, track shipments, and manage paperwork. You can choose between a Household Goods (HHG) shipment, where movers pack and transport your items, or a Personally Procured Move (PPM/DITY), where you move your belongings and may be reimbursed by the government. Each move type has specific requirements and benefits, so review your options early.
You are eligible for entitlements like Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE), which helps cover lodging while you secure housing, and Dislocation Allowance (DLA), which assists with relocation costs. Quantico follows standard CONUS rules for these benefits. Make sure to keep receipts and submit claims promptly. DPS is your main tool for managing your move, but local resources and your sponsor can answer base-specific questions. For detailed guidance and updates, always check official resources and reach out to the Transportation Office.
Temporary Lodging Information
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) allowance
PCS Tips
- Request a sponsor as soon as you receive orders.
- Contact the Quantico Transportation Office early to schedule your HHG shipment.
- Keep all important documents and orders with you during travel.
- Plan for temporary lodging; Quantico area hotels fill quickly, especially in summer.
- Take photos of high-value items before pack-out for insurance purposes.
- Review your weight allowance to avoid excess costs.
- If moving with pets, research local pet policies and veterinary requirements in advance.
Important Forms & Links
Start, track, and manage your PCS move online.
Find official travel, lodging, and DLA rates.
Guidance and checklists for every PCS step.
Essential info for new arrivals to MCB Quantico.
Schools & Childcare
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