Fort Stewart

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Hinesville, Georgia
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, encompassing approximately 280,000 acres in Liberty County, Georgia. Established in 1940 as a training and maneuver area, it serves as the permanent home of the 3rd Infantry Division and functions as the Army’s premier power projection platform on the East Coast. The installation also administers Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, approximately 45 miles away.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train, equip, deploy, and redeploy active and reserve component Army units; serve as a power projection platform for rapid global force deployment.
Major Units: 3rd Infantry Division (“Rock of the Marne”); 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team; 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team; 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade; 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade
Tenant Units: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), 435th Chemical Brigade, various reserve and National Guard units

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Savannah, GA – approximately 45 miles northeast; Brunswick, GA – approximately 60 miles south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) – approximately 45 miles
Gate Access: Main gate open 24 hours. Visitors require a valid government-issued ID (RealID compliant or passport) and a sponsor with valid military ID. Visitor vehicle passes issued at the Visitor Control Center on 3rd Avenue.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 24,000
Family Members: Approximately 26,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 8,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 58,000 (including contractors and retirees)

Key Facilities

Medical: Winn Army Community Hospital – full-service military hospital offering emergency care, primary care, specialty services, and behavioral health
Commissary: Yes – located at 200 Vilseck Street, Building 421; hours Tuesday-Friday 1000-2000, Saturday 1000-1800, Sunday 1100-1700
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Fort Stewart Exchange (Main PX) on Lindquist Road; additional shoppettes and facilities on post
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers, outdoor pools, bowling center, golf course (Taylors Creek Golf Course), auto skills center, outdoor recreation area, fishing and hunting programs, Liberty Lakes recreation area
Schools: Bradwell Institute and Liberty County School District serve most military families; Liberty County schools consistently rank well for a rural Georgia district; DoDEA schools not present
Childcare: Child Development Centers on post; waitlists common – register early through Child and Youth Services (912) 767-8204
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post; offers wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care for active duty members’ pets
Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Building 253; walk-in hours available; call (912) 767-8809 for appointment

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC); approximately 2,300 units including officer and enlisted family housing; units range from townhomes to single-family homes; condition generally good with ongoing upgrades
Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and unit; typically 30-90 days for enlisted; officers may wait longer
Off-Post Housing: Hinesville is the primary off-post community; average rent ranges from approximately $1,000-$1,600/month for 3-bedroom homes; Richmond Hill and Savannah are popular alternatives with higher costs but more amenities
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through your gaining unit upon receipt of PCS orders; unit sponsorship coordinators facilitate pre-arrival contact and initial assistance
In-Processing: All arrivals report to the Marne Reception Center no later than 2359 on the day leave ends or by the report date on orders; in-processing takes approximately 3-5 days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, Building 443; contact (912) 767-3033; enrollment required prior to PCS for families with special needs members

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot summers (average high 91F in July), mild winters (average low 38F in January); frequent afternoon thunderstorms in summer; hurricane season awareness required (June-November)
Cost of Living: Low to moderate relative to national average; Hinesville is an affordable community; Savannah is moderate
Nearby Attractions: Historic Savannah (45 miles) with riverfront, restaurants, and historic squares; Jekyll Island and Cumberland Island National Seashore (beach access, 60-75 miles); Fort McAllister State Park
Spouse Employment: Savannah metro offers employment in tourism, logistics, ports, and healthcare; Gulfstream Aerospace is a major civilian employer; remote work increasingly common; Georgia’s job market is generally growing

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/stewart
Main Installation Phone: (912) 767-1110
MWR Website: https://stewartmwr.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Building 443; (912) 767-5058; offers financial counseling, relocation assistance, employment readiness, and family support programs

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/stewart; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-stewart; https://mybaseguide.com/fort-stewart-and-hunter-army-airfield; https://www.fortstewarthousing.com, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law