The Pentagon is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world and the nerve centre of the U.S. military. Such is its clout that the term Pentagon is often used as a metonym to depict the Department of Defence and its leadership.
It is the world’s second largest office building (over 6.5 million square feet) after the Surat Diamond Bourse (6.7 million square feet). It serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defence (DoD) and accommodates the top US military leadership, including the Secretary of Defence, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In all, over 23,000 military and civilian employees, as well as about 3,000 non-defence support personnel report for work everyday at the Pentagon.
It is the a command and control centre for US military operations around the world and plays a crucial role in formulating policy, developing strategy, and coordinating the efforts of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. It also houses communication facilities to monitor and direct operations around the world and plays a crucial role to ward off external threats and preparing the US military to respond to emergencies and conflicts.
The Pentagon oversees collaborations with the industry and academic institutions to develop cutting-edge technologies and is involved in research and development initiatives aimed at advancing military technology and capabilities.
The Pentagon serves as the hub for logistics and supports functions for military operations and manages supply chains, transportation networks, and infrastructure to ensure that troops have the necessary resources, equipment, and facilities to carry out their missions effectively.
All said and done the Pentagon serves as a symbol of American military power and plays a vital role in protecting the nation’s security interests and projecting military strength worldwide.
Here are some of the lesser-known facts about the Pentagon:
It was till recently, the world’s largest office building in terms of floor area, covering over 6.5 million square feet. That’s three times the space of the Empire State Building!
It was planned to be the new headquarters of what was then called the War Department as America prepared for war in 1941 to counter Adolf Hitler’s aggressive moves in Europe. The urgency behind the move was that the War Department had 24,000 employees spread out across 17 buildings in the District of Columbia.
It was originally planned to provide an office space for 40,000 people. At the same time the structure was not meant to be more than four stories high so that it did not obstruct the views of the city across the Potomac River. Very little steel was used in the construction, because that precious material was needed for weapons and ships. It is still today the world’s largest low-rise office building.
Initially, during World War II, messengers travelled the hallways by bike or roller skates and the building had just 13 elevators that too reserved for freight. Humans wishing to ascend or descend had to use ramps made of concrete to save steel. Pentagon today has more than 70 modern elevators.
The Pentagon building today spans 28.7 acres (116,000 m2), and includes an additional 5.1 acres (21,000 m2) as a central courtyard. Despite its size, the building’s design allows you to get from one end to the other in just 7 minutes, thanks to its spoke-and-ring design with central courtyard.
The Pentagon’s unique shape was intended for a different location, but when that location fell through, they kept the pentagon shape but modified it slightly for the new site. Its shape was chosen partly due to the irregular shape of the plot of land on which it was built.
The Pentagon’s design incorporates various symbolic elements. For example, the building’s five sides symbolize the unity of the five branches of the U.S. military, while its shape evokes a pentagram, a symbol often associated with protection. Additionally, the building’s concentric rings of corridors are said to represent the close coordination and collaboration required by the military.
The Pentagon has 17.5 miles of corridors, many of which are color-coded to help navigate the vast interior. The corridors are named after states, with each section of the building named after the state represented by the office closest to that section.
The building was designed with long hallways connecting offices to reduce walking distances. The design was influenced by practical considerations, such as maximizing office space and minimizing distances between offices.
The Pentagon has five sides, each representing one of the five branches of the United States Armed Forces. It also has five above-ground floors, plus two basement levels.
It is possible to walk between any two points in the Pentagon in less than ten minutes. The complex includes eating and exercise facilities as well as meditation and prayer rooms.
At the heart of the Pentagon is a five-acre central courtyard, known as “ground zero” or “the centre courtyard.” This open space provides natural light to interior offices and serves as a gathering place for employees.
The building also houses the Hall of Heroes which is dedicated to the more than 3,460 recipients of the Medal of Honor – the United States’ highest military decoration. The Hall is today used for promotions, retirements, and other ceremonies.
The Pentagon was originally designed with separate eating and lavatory accommodations for white and black persons. While the lavatories were side by side, the dining areas for blacks were located in the basement. President Roosevelt ordered removal of the “Whites Only” signs in segregated areas. Though the side-by-side restrooms still exist, they have been integrated in practice.
Despite its location in Arlington County, Virginia, the Pentagon has six Washington, D.C., ZIP Codes. The U.S. Secretary of Defence, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the four service branches each have their own ZIP Code.
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The Pentagon was constructed in just 16 months (Sept 1941 to Jan 1943) during World War II. Over 15,000 workers worked round the clock to complete the structure in just 16 months due to wartime urgency.
Colonel Leslie Groves was responsible for overseeing the project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which supervised it.
The Pentagon also houses the world’s busiest Subway restaurant. Workers can get coffee at Starbucks, an ice cream at Baskin-Robbins, or a bucket to go at KFC—all of which are located within the complex.
The Pentagon has a sizable parking lot with over 6,500 spaces, but remarkably, it only takes up about 10% of the building’s footprint!
The Pentagon was one of the targets of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the western side of the building, killing 184 people.
A poignant memorial honours the 184 people who lost their lives in the attack. The memorial features benches for each victim, some facing the Pentagon, symbolizing those who died inside, and others facing outwards, representing those who were on the plane.
The Pentagon offers public tours, giving visitors a glimpse into this iconic building and its history. These tours can be booked in advance but security clearance is required.
