The Pentagon: The Nerve Center of America's Defense Establishment

Key Chapter Title List

1. Pentagon Overview and Historical Evolution
2. Transportation and Commuting Options
3. Building Interior Guide and Room Location
4. Services and Facilities for Persons with Disabilities
5. Security, Counterterrorism, and Emergency Response
6. Internal Services and Life Convenience Facilities
7. Medical Facilities and Health Services
8. Pentagon Tour Program and Internal Memorial Facilities
9. Internal Corridor Exhibits and Military History & Culture Displays
10. Washington Headquarters Services and Other Key Points of Contact
11. National Capital Region Background

Document Introduction

This report is based on the 2025 edition of the official guide "Welcome to the Pentagon" published by the Washington Headquarters Services of the U.S. Department of Defense. It provides a systematic review and analysis of the physical environment, internal operational mechanisms, support service systems, and historical-cultural significance of the Pentagon, the core institution of U.S. military command and administration. The report aims to provide professional researchers with first-hand, unclassified official information regarding the daily operations, logistical support, security architecture, and organizational culture of the United States' highest military command center. It serves as fundamental material for understanding the actual functions and internal ecosystem of the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters.

The report first outlines the architectural overview and historical context of the Pentagon. Construction began in 1941, and it was completed in 1943, featuring a "Stripped Classical" architectural style intended to provide consolidated office space for the dispersed War Department during World War II. Its unique pentagonal design, comprising 5 concentric rings (A through E) and 10 radial corridors, was designed to maximize space utilization and minimize internal travel distances. The report details its evolution from a temporary War Department office building to the permanent headquarters of the Department of Defense established after the 1947 National Security Act. It also covers the large-scale renovation project initiated in the late 1980s and the key historical event of its damage and subsequent rapid reconstruction following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The building itself was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992.

The core section of the report elaborates on the complex systems that support the daily functioning of this massive institution. Regarding transportation and commuting, it analyzes the role of the Pentagon Transit Center as the largest transportation hub in Northern Virginia, covering various public transit options including metro, Department of Defense shuttles, and commuter buses. It also introduces the "Mass Transit Benefit Program" aimed at encouraging public transit use and reducing congestion. For internal navigation, the report explains the coding system based on floor, ring, corridor, and room number, providing clear guidance for understanding its internal spatial logic. In terms of personnel support, the report highlights comprehensive services for persons with disabilities, including accessibility assessments, personalized emergency evacuation plans, the Mobility Assistance Program (providing electric scooters), designated parking, and customized tour services for visitors with visual or hearing impairments, reflecting the stringent requirements of federal law for accessible environments and equal opportunity.

Security is paramount to Pentagon operations. The report specifies that the Pentagon Force Protection Agency is responsible for the security, law enforcement, and emergency response for the entire "Pentagon Reservation." Its responsibilities include 24/7 security command and control, threat analysis, mail and package screening, counterterrorism training, and counterintelligence and insider threat training. The report also details the "See Something, Say Something" public awareness campaign and comprehensive emergency response plans, including advanced detection systems for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials, outlining a multi-layered, proactive defense system.

Furthermore, the report comprehensively outlines internal services and life convenience facilities, including the Armed Forces Hostess Association, digital mail service, internal mail delivery, the Base Supply Center, multiple fast-food restaurants and snack bars, the Pentagon Athletic Center and its affiliated venues, the library and conference center, the Chaplain's Office, the Nursing Mothers Support Program, etc., demonstrating its self-sufficient capability as a small "city." The medical facilities section details the comprehensive healthcare services provided by the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic, including primary care, dental, radiology, pharmacy, specialty clinics (such as Allergy & Immunology and Travel Medicine clinics), and the Special Missions Assistance Clinic serving personnel with special duties (e.g., aircrew, special operations forces).

The final section of the report focuses on the cultural and historical dimensions of the Pentagon. Its tour program began in 1976, hosting over 100,000 visitors annually. The report not only introduces the Pentagon Memorial and Air Force Memorial located outside the building but also details numerous historically significant memorial sites and corridor exhibits inside the building, such as the "Hall of Heroes," the "Navy Reflection Room," and dozens of permanent and temporary exhibitions covering themes from the history of Secretaries of Defense and Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the history of each military service, major battles, heroes, and diverse contributions. These exhibits systematically showcase the heritage, values, and core missions of the U.S. Department of Defense and its subordinate military branches.

This report is based on original official documents. All information is the latest publicly available content as of 2025, providing a rare and authoritative reference for researching the operational model, military administration, institutional culture, and historical legacy of the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters.