Fayetteville/Fort Bragg NC

The U.S. Army post of Fort Bragg is an integral part of the Sandhills region of North Carolina. Its presence inspires a sincere patriotism and a unique understanding of geo-political happenings in the world to those who live in the area.

 

As 2011 was winding down, so too was the war in Iraq. President Barack Obama visited Fort Bragg in December 2011 to officially utter those long awaited words to the last U.S. troops to have left Iraq: “Welcome home!”

 

The highly trained military professionals at Fort Bragg have been involved for the past decade with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When not deployed, the troops train on the post, which, at more than 250 square miles, provides many artillery and shooting ranges, drop zones and state-of-the-art facilities to hone their military skills.

 

Fort Bragg is widely recognized as the home base of some of America’s most renowned military units, including the legendary 82nd Airborne Division, among others. The first decade of the 21^st century has kept the troops at Fort Bragg engaged in both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; as the century continues to unfold, the post will remain an important link in America’s national defense. The troops also respond to natural disasters throughout the world, bringing supplies and relief to assist victims of large-scale disasters such as earthquakes or floods.

 

Fort Bragg’s importance to the Department of Defense has been enhanced by the recent arrival of two major commands (FORSCOM and USARCOM) from Fort McPherson, Ga. This move was mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission and was completed by the target date of September 2011.

 

Now, Fort Bragg has more general officers assigned than any place other than the Pentagon. It is also the most populous Army post in the country, with more than 57,000 soldiers assigned to the post (although many are deployed elsewhere at any one time). More than 14,000 federal employees work on post, while civilian contract employees on post exceed 5,000.

 

Fort Bragg is an economic engine for the entire Sandhills region, pumping $10.8 billion into the local economy in fiscal year 2011. The installation’s growth represents an opportunity for new jobs and for local businesses to expand.

 

Some very well known personalities have spent time at Fort Bragg including retired General David Petraeus, who now heads up the Central Intelligence Agency. The current Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, General Ray Odierno, was also assigned to Fort Bragg in the earlier years of his career.

 

The events of September 2001, and the subsequent security considerations, transformed Fort Bragg from the open post it had always been to one that monitors access at several checkpoints.

 

Civilian visitors to the post are still welcome, whether visiting people living on post, or participating in the events and activities that are open to civilians, or to view the regularly scheduled airborne training jumps at one of the drop zones. Civilians must only provide identification and proof of insurance for their vehicle. In times of elevated alert status, civilian vehicles may also be searched before access to post is granted.

 

Standing alongside President Barack Obama at the welcome home ceremony at Fort Bragg in December 2011 was First Lady Michelle Obama, who has championed the cause of military families. She is well aware of the support offered to military families by the surrounding civilian community, having said publicly, “Fayetteville clearly does watch over those who watch over us.”

 

The First Lady is correct. TIME magazine proclaimed Fayetteville to be “America’s most pro-military” town in 2008. In June 2011, Fayetteville Cares, a local non-profit organization, staged the second “Boots and Booties – the World’s Largest Military Baby Shower,” with more than 950 female soldiers and Army wives in attendance.

 

All new or expectant moms, the women received laundry bags, stuffed with a blanket, a bib, gift certificates and children’s books. One lucky woman, the wife of a Fort Bragg paratrooper, won a brand new Chevrolet Cruze, the grand prize in a random drawing.

 

Womack Army Medical Center, on Fort Bragg, averages about 300 births a month. In times following soldiers’ return from extended deployments, the birth rate will rise.

 

It is surprising to some to learn that as many as 5,000 military families reside on Fort Bragg. It is a self-contained community that includes the aforementioned Womack Army Medical Center, a library, schools, shopping centers, a bank and credit union, museums, chapels, recreation centers and several residential neighborhoods. The Army sponsors a Community of Excellence competition annually, and Fort Bragg has won the title several times, most recently in 2010.

 

Jennifer Tilley’s family is one of those on-post families and if you ask how she feels about living on an Army post, her response is an enthusiastic, “We love it!”

“My husband is literally just minutes from work,” she says, “which means we see him more than some families see their soldiers. And we feel very safe on post.”

 

The Tilleys also enjoy a variety of recreational activities offered on post.

 

“We have great parks, a huge library that hosts story and craft times, places to eat, state-of-the-art gyms to work out in, swim lessons, golf lessons, ballet classes, you name it, we are truly never without options,” Jennifer pointed out. “And all the neighborhoods are so child and family-centered, it’s easy for all the kids to find plenty of friends to play with, which is great.”

 

One of the major family-oriented events at Fort Bragg is the Fourth of July celebration, staged on the Main Post Parade Field. Though there are other celebrations across the region, the Fort Bragg event is the epitome of Independence Day festivities. A day-long affair, featuring food, games and activities for kids, military equipment displays, parachute jumps and an unforgettable rendition of the 1812 Overture – with real cannons at the appropriate interval – the event concludes with fireworks centered around the flagpole at nightfall. Thousands of people attend this event every year, renewing their sense of patriotism.

 

Residents of the Sandhills region become accustomed to seeing Army helicopters flying overhead, hearing the occasional distant rumble of artillery training, and spotting paratroopers wafting earthward. Precision parachute jumps are a frequent feature of public events in the region, and American flags fly often and proudly, at places of business and from the porches of homes. Many veterans choose the Sandhills region as their permanent home when they leave active duty.

 

Fort Bragg shares its rich history with the Sandhills region, and the symbiotic relationship bodes well for a bright future for each. The communities surrounding Fort Bragg will continue to appreciate and support our soldiers and their families. And Fort Bragg will continue to serve as an economic engine for the region’s economic prosperity and accomplishments.