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Aggie gal
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| Posted: Nov 05 2009 at 8:51am | IP Logged
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Any of you out that way? How is hs'ing in MD? We've lived in VA when dh was stationed at the Pentagon and loved it, but I was hoping to either live on post or close to post if we end up there. I understand that the hs laws are a bit stricter in MD. Any advice on housing or schooling. Nancy?
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Amy
Married to Rob, Momma to Patrick (17), Braden (14), Nathan (11), Benjamin (10), Aurea (8), Peter (6), Rosie (3) and Baby Blaise
Eight is GR8
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Nov 05 2009 at 9:50am | IP Logged
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Maryland's laws are a bit more restrictive, but not too hard to deal with. You can use an umbrella school if you like or just work with the county. (You can PM me for details on that.)
Housing on post is okay - not huge - my friend with 7 kids finally moved off post when baby #7 arrived, because they felt they could get more for their BAH off post. (They moved to Bowie, about 1/2 hour away.) You need to be very careful when dealing with Picerne (the housing contractor) - the same friend was promised a 4 bedroom house but when they arrived with the movers she got the keys to a 3 bedroom. It took several months (and of course another move) to get that straightened out.
If you'd rather live off post, I can tell you something about the neighborhoods in a PM. You have to choose wisely if you want to keep your drive under 20 minutes.
We love living here, by the way, and we have a great co-op...hint, hint!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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crusermom
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| Posted: Nov 05 2009 at 11:13am | IP Logged
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Hi Amy - Compared to other states, the MD is a bit stricter - but definitely doable. We were in Montgomery County and I did it through the county. If I went back, I would probably look into the umbrella school. I used to stress about going to meet with them - although it was never as bad as I would anticipate.
I was stationed at Fort Meade when I was active duty and thought it was just a beautiful area. We never moved on post - the wait list was really long at that time. It was over a year before we were offered anything. There is a wide range in houses there depending on luck and rank. I would love to go back there as a colonel's wife! They have some huge brick colonial style homes that would be great for a big family.
I would move back to that area in a heartbeat - but my husband is loving this warm Texas weather!
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Mary
Army wife and Crusermom to 8 wonderful children!
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Nov 05 2009 at 12:14pm | IP Logged
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Are you on the move again, already?! Anything that brings you and that new baby closer is okay by us! 
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Aggie gal
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Dh's tour here is up this summer. He's thinking they'll give him one of 3 assignments: Ft. Meade, San Antonio or a 365 remote. He thinks they might PCS us to the next assignment, then send him remote.  I'm really hoping that's not the case, but that's the main reason I'd want to live on post. If we get sent to SA, no biggie-- we're both from TX originally and it would be an easy transition for us, aaand I know hs laws there are easy peasy.
Here on McGuire we've been dealing with United Communities for the privatization thing, and many, many promises have been made to lots of folks that have not been kept. Thanks for the heads up there.
A good co-op would certainly be something to look forward to.
Molly, I think Ft. Meade is a little over an hour from Stafford-- so yep we'd be closer. I know the kiddos would love that.
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Amy
Married to Rob, Momma to Patrick (17), Braden (14), Nathan (11), Benjamin (10), Aurea (8), Peter (6), Rosie (3) and Baby Blaise
Eight is GR8
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Nov 05 2009 at 9:06pm | IP Logged
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Does your dh have connections at each place, who could tell him which assignments/jobs are most likely to be picked for deployment? (I know that some Navy jobs at Ft. Meade are considered easy targets when augmentees are needed...don't know about the other branches, though.)
I think you're right to worry about and plan for the PCS+forward duty scenario. It happens often.
Each privatization contractor is different - the one we dealt with at our last location was really good, very responsive...it's unfortunate that everyone's experiences aren't equally positive.
The good part is, if you go to either SA or here, you're not going to be a stranger in a strange land.
(I have heard great things about the Catholic chaplain at Ft. Meade, by the way - once you get your assignment, if it's to MD I can fill you in on all the good stuff...and Mass at the National Shrine in DC is just amazing...and Emmitsburg...)
(Can you tell I am trying to make you want to come here?!)
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Topic: Ft. Meade, MD
