Located just three miles east of Petersburg, VA, Ft. Lee is an Army training post that provides logistics doctrine and leader development. It’s home to a wide array of agencies including the Army Transportation School, Commissary Agency, and the Combined Arms Support Command. On post, you’ll find two Army museums. That’s to say nothing of the US Quartermaster Museum and the US Army Women’s Museum that’s there, too.
Ft. Lee is a large post, with nearly 8,000 active duty service members calling it home. Ft. Lee is one of many Army posts that will be renamed in the coming years. The Army is definitely tracking that there are plenty of other notable Virginians for whom the post could be named. In fact, Rep. A. Donald McEachin says he wants to see the name changed to honor retired Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg, who, when he retired, was the highest ranking Black officer in the Army.
Virginia is no stranger to military installations. So if you’re on a road trip through the state, there are several bases to stop at and explore.
Location
Fort Lee is located in Prince George, Virginia. Fort Lee is three miles east of Petersburg, VA, 116 miles from Washington, DC, and 21 miles from Richmond, the capital of Virginia.
Directions
Fort Lee can be reached by car using the following routes.
Heading in from the north? Take I-95 S to I-295 S.
Driving from the south? Take I-95 N to I-295 N.
Making the trek from the east? Take I-64 E to I-295 S.
Coming from the west? Take I-64 W to I-295 S.
Transportation
Richmond International Airport (23 miles) is served by 8 airlines with multiple destinations.
Driving would allow you to visit nearby cities. Fort Lee also has easy access to bus and rail services that can take you throughout the Northeast.
Contacts at Fort Lee
Army Emergency Relief: (804) 734-6381
Behavioral Health: (804) 734-9623 | (804) 734-9143 | (804) 734-9387
Chaplain: (804) 734-6494 | (804) 734-6483
Civilian Personnel Advisory Center: (804) 765-4580
Commissary: (804) 765-2254
Dental Appointments: (804) 734-9607
Domestic Abuse Hotline: (804) 734-6378
Employee Assistance Program: (804) 734-9693
Equal Opportunity Office: (804) 734-6601
Family Advocacy Program: (804) 734-6388
Housing (on-post): (804) 733-1558
ID/CAC Card Processing: (804) 734-7349
Information & Referral Services: (804) 734-7347
Kenner Army Health Clinic: (804) 533-5242
Legal Assistance: (804) 765-1500
Lodging Reservations: (804) 733-4100
Military Police Desk: (804) 734-7400
Nurse Advice After Hours: (877) 874-2273, Option 1
Public Affairs Office: (804) 734-7451
Safety Office: (804) 765-3132
School Liaison Officer: (804) 765-3813
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office: (804) 894-0029
Soldier Support Center (Duty Hours): (804) 734-7784
Veterinary Services: (804) 734-2446
Welcome & Visitors Center: (804) 734-5053
Mission and Units
Ft. Lee is all about training to support readiness. From providing logistics doctrine to material solutions, its goal is to sustain a campaign-quality Army for both war and peace times.
Fort Lee’s mission is to integrate and deliver Base Operations that enable Training to support readiness.
Fort Lee is the home to a wide range of Army agencies including Kenner Army Health Clinic and the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM). CASCOM helps to synchronize and integrate Army sustainment capabilities and doctrine.
Kenner was opened during WWII as an 871-bed community hospital. It quickly expanded to accommodate 2,000 beds. During the post-war years, the clinic was downgraded to only 200 beds. However, it can now handle the medical and dental needs of the 30,000 military and civilian personnel that call Fort Lee home
Fort Lee History
Fort Lee is located in America’s Historic Heartland in Virginia, 25 miles south of Richmond and very near the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers.
The post got its start when the US entered WWI. In fact, within weeks of our declaration of war on Germany in 1917, the War Department bought the land that’s now Ft. Lee. Speaking of WWI, did you know Kevin Costner is on the board of the WWI museum? During the interwar years, the post closed but reopened quickly to support mission readiness during WWII. During that time, over 300,000 Quartermaster soldiers trained at Ft. Lee.
Surprisingly, Ft. Lee continued to maintain its presence in the DoD landscape even after WWII. In fact, it was home to the Women’s Army Corps from 1948-1954.
Things to Do Around Fort Lee
Hotels
Best Western Plus Hopewell Fort Lee (2.5 miles)
Holiday Inn Express Hopewell – Fort Lee Area, an IHG Hotel (2.4 miles)
Baymont by Wyndham Prince George at Fort Lee (1.3 miles)
Restaurants
Tilted Kilt (3.1 miles) – Celtic-style sports pub
Primos Mexican Family Restaurant (1.7 miles) – Mexican
Jimmy’s Grill And Pizzeria (1.3 miles) – Pizza
Activities
Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center (96 miles) is home to over 10,000 animals representing over 300 species in 800,000 gallons of fresh and seawater displays. There is also an onsite adventure park and plenty of exhibits and hands-on experiences.
The Poe Museum (24 miles) is a museum dedicated to Edgar Allen Poe and includes a library, a collection of Poe’s images, and an Enchanted Garden inspired by Poe’s poem, “To One in Paradise.”
Virginia Living Museum (77 miles) is a combination aquarium, zoo, botanical gardens, and science center. You can view endangered red wolves, sharks, jellyfish, flying squirrels, stingrays, fish without eyes, and more. There’s also a Butterfly Garden and an outdoor Dinosaur Discovery Trail with fossils and 16 life-like dinosaurs.
Housing at Ft. Lee
It’s best to call the Military Housing Office as soon as you receive orders to post. Since Lee is such an interactive training installation, housing wait times can be long, even during PCS-off season.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options in and around the local community. The MHO can answer any questions you might have.
Hunt Communities offers privatized housing on post.
Schools Near Ft. Lee
Unfortunately, there are no DoDEA schools on post. However, mil-kids who call Ft. Lee home can benefit from the nearby Prince George County Public School District. PGC serves students from grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. School selection is based on where you live. Be sure to call the School Liaison Office for the most up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fort Lee deploy?
There are a small number of soldiers who deploy from Fort Lee, but it is primarily a training facility.
What happened at Fort Lee?
Before 1865, Ft. Lee saw a lot of combat because of the Civil War.
Do Marines go to Fort Lee?
Yes, there is a Marine Corps Detachment on Fort Lee, which maintains a staff of approximately 180 Marines and has an annual throughput of nearly 2,500 students.
What is Fort Lee famous for?
Fort Lee is famous for being the center of logistics and sustainment for the U.S. Army.