Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg, NC absorbed FORSCOM (Forces Command) and USARC (US Army Reserve Command) from Fort McPherson, GA in 2011 as an outcome of the 2005 BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Commission). Fort Bragg retained its name and increased its population by 25,000. The consolidation made Fort Bragg the largest US Army command for sustained forces capable of worldwide crisis response. Home of the Army Airborne and Special Operation Forces, Fort Bragg is located in Cumberland and Hoke counties, West of Fayetteville, NC. Soldiers in Airborne Corps, Special Operations and the US Army Parachute Team (Golden Knights) receive skills training at Fort Bragg. Nearby geographical destinations include Myrtle Beach, SC, The Climbing Place in Fayetteville, and Cape Fear Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville.

History

The base, first known as Camp Bragg, was established in 1918 as an artillery training ground for soldiers going overseas during World War I. It is the namesake of General Braxton Bragg, a Confederate Commander during the Civil War. In 1922 Camp Bragg became Fort Bragg.

Throughout the 20th Century Fort Bragg barely escaped closure several times. The 82nd Airborne’s permanent location at Fort Bragg sustained its existence until 1951-1952’s base expansion with the arrival of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the development of the Psychological Warfare Center. During the war with Vietnam more than 200,000 soldiers received basic combat training at Fort Bragg. During the 1980s Fort Bragg’s military were deployed to Grenada, Honduras, and Panama. In the 1990s Airborne military were deployed in support of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. By the early 21st Century Fort Bragg’s military were still deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. 2011 saw the largest increase of personnel in over 50 years with the added military from FORSCOM and USARC.

Mission

Fort Bragg is tasked to maintain America’s Contingency Corps as a strategic crisis response force manned and trained to deploy rapidly by air, sea, and land anywhere in the world with the ability to fight upon arrival. The major units are XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, The Golden Knights, FORSCOM and USARC.

Other Components

Tenant organizations at Fort Bragg include MEDDAC (Medical Command), Womack Army Medical Center, Special Forces, and John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

Area and Population

Fort Bragg occupies 251 square miles. Current population is 140,139, composed of 77,177 military and civilian personnel, and 62,962 military family members.

Family Housing

At the end of 2011 Fort Bragg had 5,528 fully constructed family quarters of single, two, three and four bedroom units, with more quarters scheduled for construction to accommodate the BRAC families. A private industry firm, Picerne Military Housing, provides the on-base housing as well as working with local communities to help families find living arrangements when the on-base housing is full.

Education

Eight schools are located on Fort Bragg: six elementary, one middle, and one junior high. High School age students must register and attend school in Cumberland County. Transportation to and from schools is provided.

Daily Living

There are two commissaries and two large PXs (Post Exchange) that sell national brand merchandise. There are two shoppette areas plus banking facilities, fast food and dine-in eateries, gasoline and auto service locations, an outdoor in-line skating area, and more. There are two medical clinics, plus Womack Army Medical Center for military, family members and retirees. There are two dental clinics for active duty personnel. There are 12 Religious Chapels servicing all denominations. Army Community Services provide assistance with special needs. Family and Soldier Morale, Welfare and Recreational centers includes bowling lanes, a library, movie theaters, golf courses, gyms, tennis court, swimming pools, outdoor activities, horse riding, camping and fishing. Fort Bragg maintains two Army Museums and provides support to thousands of military retirees.

Visiting

Fort Bragg is not an open base, but several of their historical buildings, and the museum, are open to the public. When visiting Fort Bragg everyone over the age of 16 must provide a picture ID and register their vehicle to be able to drive on the installation. Non-defense personnel will turn over their driver’s license or picture ID and receive a visitor’s pass when entering and it will be returned when visitors leave. It is advisable to call ahead when planning to visit Fort Sill as there may be extenuating circumstances that will have the post closed to visitors.