One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming, but not if you start here with the EYB (Embrace Your Base) blog.
We here at Mission:Milspouse want to take the some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Lee, Virginia.
Fort Lee is located in Prince George County, Virginia, south of Richmond. It is the home of the United States Army Quartermaster school, the Army Ordnance school, the Combined Arms Support Command, and the Army Transportation school, among other things. It’s a location that offers four seasons, short drives to mountains and beaches, and plenty of historical cities and towns.
EYB GENERAL INFORMATION
Fort Lee is home to the following units:
- 12th Military Police Department Criminal Investigation Command
- 23rd Quartermaster Brigade
- 217th Military Police Detachment
- 244th Quartermaster Battalion
- 262nd Quartermaster Battalion
- 266th Quartermaster Battalion
- 544th Military Police Detachment Military Working Dog
- Marine Corps Detachment
- 345th Air Force Training Brigade
- 59th Ordnance Brigade
- 94th Division
- Army Logistics University Support Battalion
- Army Ordnance School
- Army Quartermaster School
- Army Transportation School
Surrounding Cities:
- Petersburg (4 miles)
- Colonial Heights (5 miles)
- Prince George (5 miles)
- Hopewell (6 miles)
- Chester (15 miles)
- Chesterfield (21 miles)
Closest MAJOR City: Richmond (26 miles north of Fort Lee)
Names of Area Colleges:
- Central Texas College and Florida Institute of Technology are offered through the installation’s education center
- Richard Bland College of William and Mary in Petersburg
- Chester Career College in Chester
- John Tyler Community College-Chester Campus in Chester
- Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond
Weather: While the summers can be very hot and humid, the winters are moderately cold. Highs in the summers will reach well into the 80s and 90s, primarily from June through August. December through February tend to be the coldest months, both above and below freezing. You can expect snow and ice in the winter. Spring and fall are mild, but you will get the full four-season experience.
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone
SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION
To access the post website, click here.
Historical Facts/Landmarks:
HOUSING
On-post Housing is managed by Fort Lee Housing: A Hunt Military Community.
SCHOOLS
School District: Prince George County Public Schools. Schools, both public and parochial, are located close to Fort Lee. The Prince George County School System has been designated as the agency responsible for the education of family members residing on Fort Lee. Specific school assignments are determined by the family house residency. You can find these assignments here.
Off-Post Schools
- Elementary: North Elementary (PreK-5th), South Elementary (PreK-5th), David A. Harrison Elementary (K-5th), William A. Walton Elementary (K-5th), and L.L. Beasley Elementary (PreK-5th).
- Middle: J.E.J More Middle School (6th and 7th) and N.B. Clements Junior High School (8th and 9th)
- High School: Prince George High School (10th-12th)
ON-POST SERVICES
- Child and Youth Services
- Army Community Service
- PX
- Commissary
- Fort Lee Community Library
- Kenner Army Health Clinic
- MWR
- Fort Lee Area Spouses’ Club
- Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations
OFF-POST INFORMATION
Health Care:
- Hospital: Bon Secours – Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg
- Urgent Care: Patient First in Colonial Heights
- General Practitioners: You can find a variety of providers in various areas by going here.
- Dentist: Virginia Family Dentistry in Petersburg, Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Colonial Heights, and River’s Bend Dentistry in Chester.
- OB/GYN: Obstetrics and Gynecology – Colonial Heights and Riverview Physicians for Women, both in Colonial Heights.
- Eye care: Legacy Eye Care, with locations in Chester and Petersburg, and Comprehensive Eye Care and Family Vision Care, both in Colonial Heights
Shopping malls: Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights
RESTAURANTS
Petersburg:
- Roma Ristorante Italiano
- The Brickhouse Run
- Dixie Restaurant
- Croaker’s Spot
- Wabi Sabi
- Blue Willow Tea Room
Prince George:
Hopewell:
Richmond:
- The Roosevelt
- L’Opossum
- Rappahannock Oyster Co.
- Stella’s
- Tarrant’s Cafe
- Perly’s Delicatessen Restaurant
- Kuba Kuba
MUST DO
Petersburg:
Chesterfield:
McKenney:
Roswell:
Richmond:
- Pony Pasture
- Children’s Museum of Richmond (three locations)
Williamsburg:
- Busch Gardens (They are part of the Waves of Honor program, offering free tickets to military families)
- Colonial Williamsburg
SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS
Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.
Installation Facebook page: U.S. Army Fort Lee
Military Spouse Groups:
Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:
Religious services:
Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021
*For more information, visit the EYB Category on the Blog Page.
I’mI’m coming to visit my USA MARINE wwho is presently going to school at Fort Lee. My question is, where would I stay hotel wise? For one night. BeBefore we head to her post in Camp Lejeune.
Anna Maria- check out https://www.ihg.com/armyhotels/hotels/us/en/fort-lee/zylea/hoteldetail – That would be a good place to start. Also Petersburg, VA has a lot of hotels off base as well.