Posted on Jul 16, 2018
Which place is better for my situation as a geographical bachelor, Ft. Drum or Ft. Stewart?
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I am a GBR in PA right now that got Ft. Bliss as my duty station for after BOLC. Long story short, my amazing branch manager is willing to work with me to keep me closer to PA due to my daughter’s mother staying here and a tenuous custody situation. If I stay closer than Bliss (not too difficult obviously) she’s willing to figure out some kind of 50/50 custody arrangement, so obviously that’s a priority.
I’m wondering if I could get some community input into which place might be better in this situation. Drum is about 5 hours closer by car, but it always seems to be on these “worst five places to be stationed” lists. If you have knowledge of child care facilities, housing, area, etc. That would be particularly helpful. Thanks in advance! If it’s relevant, my daughter will be 3 when I leave BOLC.
I’m wondering if I could get some community input into which place might be better in this situation. Drum is about 5 hours closer by car, but it always seems to be on these “worst five places to be stationed” lists. If you have knowledge of child care facilities, housing, area, etc. That would be particularly helpful. Thanks in advance! If it’s relevant, my daughter will be 3 when I leave BOLC.
Family
Fort Drum
Fort Stewart
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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I hated Fort Stewart. I know a lot of people who didn't like Fort Drum, but loved the unit. I would personally take Drum over Stewart, even if it is freezing cold.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you, I think the command climate is an important consideration as well. I grew up in Seattle, so I think either temperature change will be pretty different. That’s not my biggest concern
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SFC (Join to see)
I loved Drum. Great command, awesome morale, but the weather sucks. I think it was a decent trade off.
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Drum isn't bad at all. People just bitch about the cold weather. The post is nice, lots to do in the area if you're into outdoor shit, Canada is close-by, NYC isn't that far of a drive, the units there are historically some of the best in the Army, Watertown is a lot nicer than most cities outside of military bases, etc.
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1LT (Join to see)
That point about Watertown may end up being an important factor, so thanks for that tip.
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Drum is amazing. It just snows a lot in the winter but once you learn how to bundle up you will be fine. It’s an easy drive to PA just go straight down 81 which is pretty much as soon as you go out the main gate. I lived at Eagle Ridge it’s a complex right of post, the rates were pretty good and they had a work out facility and pool. The some of the stuff seemed a bit slapped together but most repairs were done same day.
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1LT (Join to see)
The drive is a big plus, you’re right about that! Are they pretty good about keeping the roads decent in the area?
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SGT (Join to see)
Yes, the plows get out on the main roads as soon as it starts snowing. The thing is when the snow comes off of Lake Ontario then it can drop like 4 ft over night and the ice gets pretty bad. If you invest in snow tires and some rock salt you should be fine. In our complex all they required was that we did our walk way everything else they plowed.
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1LT (Join to see)
That’s very useful knowledge, thank you. I know that was a big concern of her mom’s, so that should alleviate some of that.
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