Home sweet home: Fort Stewart soldiers receive major barracks upgrade

FORT STEWART, Ga. — Newly renovated barracks at Fort Stewart are designed around privacy for soldiers, according to leaders at the base.

Soldiers will begin moving into the barracks in the next couple of weeks.

New design emphasizes individual space

Gregory Swayer, brigade sergeant major for First Armored Brigade 3rd Infantry Division, said the design aims to give soldiers a place to reset after the workday.

“I think everybody wants to be happy where they live. If you can come to a place you’re happy after the workday, you can kind of reset yourself a little bit better and get ready to attack the day a little bit better,” Swayer said.

David Rimes DeLoach, chief of engineering services division at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, said the units include new amenities.

“They got cooking abilities they didn’t have before. They have the washer and dryer and their own space instead of brigade, washer and dryer,” DeLoach said.

Moisture control built into design

Fort Stewart has dealt with mold in the past, according to WTOC. Engineers considered that history during the design of the new barracks.

“We’re going back to the direct outside air systems which draws out the humidity and pumps in fresh air and dry air,” DeLoach said.

The system is designed to control moisture before it becomes a problem.

Key parts of the HVAC system can be accessed from outside the soldiers’ living spaces. That allows maintenance to make repairs without waiting for a soldier to be home.

Swayer said he is looking forward to the change.

“I really am just excited for it to finally be happening, and soldiers are getting their own. It’s not as simple as just fix this building. It takes years and years to put this in process,” Swayer said.