Badges
How to Request a Badge
We grant Pentagon press badges to media in the D.C. area who are at the Pentagon on a recurring basis — at least three times a month. To request a pass:
- Have your bureau chief or designate provide a letter on company letterhead addressed to Deputy Director, Defense Press Operations (DPO) and either email it to osd.pentagonpressbadges@mail.mil or hand carry it to DPO in Room 2D961.
- To ensure smooth processing of your paperwork, please follow the content in the example request letter.
Foreign Press Badges
In addition to the request letter from your bureau chief or designate, for non-U.S. citizens we require a letter from your embassy and a copy of your passport, visa and Social Security card.
Reasons for Possible Denial of a Press Badge
The Deputy Director may deny your request if your organization has too many badges or you are not here often enough to merit granting a badge. Our general rule of thumb is no more than five for correspondents, couriers or producers and no more than eight for photographers and technicians. We will handle all exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Getting Your Badge
Please allow 5-10 working days for processing. We will contact you once the badging office approves your application. Use the link provided in the email to schedule your appointment at the badge office. You have 30 days to go and pick up your new badge. After 30 days, we must resubmit the request and wait for approval.
Come to the Defense Press Operations Office, 2D961, after you receive your new badge to sign a security-awareness briefing form explaining your responsibilities as a Pentagon pass holder.
If this is your initial badge and you are a U.S. citizen, bring one form of government-issued photo ID and identification to verify your Social Security number. Foreign citizens must bring their passport, visa, and Social Security card to receive a badge, whether it is the initial or a renewal.
The badge office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wed. Please plan accordingly. The wait gets longer as it gets closer to the end of the month.
You will receive an initial three-month badge, followed by a six-month badge upon renewal. After having two consecutive passes, you may request a one- year pass in the next request letter.
Renewing Your Badge
To avoid a lapse in your access, it is best to submit your paperwork early in the expiration month so we can process it and get it back to you before your badge expires.
Parking
- Press parking is reserved in the far-left lane of the Boundary Channel Drive lot off Connector Road.
- Due to the parking system we use we are unable to submit the same person for both Mall and Press parking in the same day.
- There is currently a 5 day per month limit on all parking on the Pentagon Reservation for anyone who does not have a parking pass.
- We are limited in how many of us can put in parking, if you call in late afternoon/after hours for that day or early the next morning, it might not be done until the next morning.
Press Parking – Please call our office, 703-697-5131, with your parking request as soon as you can so that we can get it submitted, and approved, before you park. The first time you call in you will need to provide the following information:
- Name, email, phone number
- Make, model, color, license plate state and number
- If it is a personal or business vehicle
- If it is gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric
Any subsequent parking requests we will just need your name and to confirm you're driving the vehicle we have listed in the parking system. Any new vehicles will need all of the above information.
Mall Parking – We have a limited amount of Mall parking spaces available. Please call our office, 703-697-5131, for your parking request as early as you can as this request requires extra security and screening and needs time to be approved or to troubleshoot any issues. It should be done in the morning for an afternoon request, or the day before for a morning request. Mall parking is only available in 4-hour blocks. The same information required for press parking is required for Mall parking as well as noting the 4-hour block that you would like to request.
Press Filming
Press Hill Filming – Please call our office, 703-697-5131, with your request. Include who will be filming and the time frame that you would like to be out there.
Mall Entrance Filming – There is no need to request approval from DPO, or to let us know that you’ll be filming there. Be aware, PFPA may say to stop filming due to arrivals/departures and will inform you when you can resume.
Parade Field Filming – Please call our office, 703-697-5131, with your request. Include who will be filming and the time frame that you would like to be out there. This area is more likely to have issues, as there are VIP arrivals and departures at the River Entrance. *** Note that this is not filming at the entrance, but farther down the parade field where there are cable drops.***
Send in your request as soon as you are able so that we can obtain a timely approval from PFPA and be able to reconnect with you to share that approval, or in case filming is not possible at the times you’ve requested.
Useful Phone Numbers/Information
- Defense Press Operations: 703-697-5131
- Badge Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.