PWTM: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021.
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.
We here at Army Wife Network want to take 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 Bragg, North Carolina.
All the way! Airborne! Welcome to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces and one of the largest installations in the country. When the president calls 9-1-1, Fort Bragg answers. This saying is well-known throughout the military, and it couldn’t be more accurate. It is also known as a place from where service members deploy, some multiple times over. Fort Bragg is conveniently located near Interstate 95, a few hours from the beach and a few hours from the mountains, making it a great staging area if you like to travel.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fort Bragg is home to the following units:
- U.S. Army Forces Command
- U.S. Army Reserve Command
- XVIII Airborne Corps
- 82nd Airborne Division
- U.S. Army Special Operations Command
- Joint Special Operations Command
- Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command
- 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
- 419th Contracting Support Brigade
- 406th Army Field Support Brigade
- 192nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion
- 50th Signal Battalion
- US Army Security Assistance Training Management
- 4th Reserve Officer Training Corps Brigade
- Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate
- 44th Medical Brigade
- 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command
- 16th Military Police Brigade
- 20th Engineer Brigade
- 525th Military Intelligence Brigade
- 82nd Sustainment Brigade
- 18th Field Artillery Brigade
- 902nd Military Intelligence Group
- John F. Kennedy Special Warfare School and Center
Surrounding Cities:
- Fayetteville (right off post)
- Spring Lake (6 miles)
- Hope Mills (15 miles)
- Raeford (19 miles)
- Cameron (26 miles)
- Southern Pines (27 miles)
- Pinehurst (33 miles)
Closest MAJOR Cities:
- Raleigh: about 1.5 hours away
- Greensboro: about 2 hours away
- Wilmington: about 2.5 hours away
- Charlotte: about 3 hours away
Names of Area Colleges:
- Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville
- Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville
- Carolina College of Biblical Studies in Fayetteville
- Campbell University in Buies Creek
- St. Andrews University in Laurinburg
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Pembroke
- North Carolina State in Raleigh
- Meredith College in Raleigh
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill
- Duke University in Durham
Weather: Warm humid summers and mild winters with occasional light snow and ice.
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone
SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION
To access the post website, click here.
Historical Facts/Landmarks:
- Fort Bragg History
- 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum
- US Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum
- John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum
HOUSING
On-post housing is managed by Corvias Military Living.
Major realty/rental companies in the area:
SCHOOLS
School District(s):
- Fort Bragg DODEA (on post)
- Cumberland County Schools
- Harnett County Schools
- Hoke County Schools
- Moore County Schools
The following schools service on-post housing families:
- Elementary: Hampton Primary School (PreK-1), Bowley Elementary School (PreK-5), Devers Elementary School (PreK-5), Gordon Elementary School(PreK-5), Poole Elementary School (PreK-5), Shughart Elementary School (PreK-5), and Irwin Intermediate School (2-5).
- Middle: Albritton Middle School (6-8) and Shughart Middle School (6-8)
- High School: Students in grades 9-12 attend either Cumberland County Schools or Harnett County Schools off post.
Off-Post Schools: You can find more information about off-post schools by clicking any of the following links:
Private/Charter: Fayetteville Academy (PreK-12), Fayetteville Christian School (PreK-12), Freedom Christian Academy (preschool-12), Berean Baptist Academy (preschool-12), and Saint Patrick Catholic School (K-8).
ON-POST SERVICES
- Child and Youth Services
- Army Community Service
- PX
- Fort Bragg South Commissary
- Fort Bragg North Commissary
- Throckmorton Library
- Womack Army Medical Center
- MWR
- The Association of Bragg Spouses
- Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations
OFF-POST INFORMATION
Health Care:
- Hospitals: Cape Fear Valley Health (Fayetteville) and First Health Moore Regional Hospital – Hoke (Raeford)
- Urgent Care: FastMed Urgent Care, NextCare Urgent Care, and Pura Clinic Urgent Care all located in Fayetteville
- Dentist: Village Family Dental, Dental Works, Dr. Barbaro and Associates, and Watson Family Dentistry all located in Fayetteville
Best places for beauty services:
- Hott Heads Salon (Fayetteville)
- Mi Hwa’s Salon and Day Spa (Fayetteville)
- Salon 360 (Fayetteville)
- Bombshell’s Salon (Fayetteville)
- J.Co Salon & Blo’Dry Bar (Fayetteville)
- Head to Toe Styling Salon (Fayetteville)
- The Loft Hair Salon (Fayetteville)
Shopping/malls: Cross Creek Mall (Fayetteville), Carolina Premium Outlets (Smithfield), Crabtree Valley Mall (Raleigh), and Streets at Southpoint (Durham).
RESTAURANTS
Fayetteville:
- Mi Casita
- Crazy Fire
- Carolina Ale House
- Mash House Brewing Company
- Pharaoh’s Village
- Thai Pepper
- Mission BBQ
- Pierro’s Italian Bistro
- Circa 1800
- Saigon Bistro
- Blue Moon Cafe
- Taste of West Africa
- 316 Oyster Bar
- Fuller’s Old Fashioned BBQ
- Huske Hardware House
- Grilled Ginger
- Fayetteville Pie Company
- Nona Sushi
- Das Bavarian Haus
- The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop
- Bombay Bistro
- Crown Fried Chice
- Reyhan Sea and Mediterranean Grill
- Winterbloom Tea
Hope Mills:
Spring Lake:
Southern Pines:
Pinehurst:
MUST DO
Fort Bragg:
- Sicily Drop Zone (watch an airborne operation)
- Smith Lake Recreation Area
- North Carolina Veterans Park
- Clark Park and Nature Center
- Lake Rim Park
- Cape Fear Trail
- Cape Fear Regional Theatre
- Market House – Downtown Fayetteville
- Cape Fear Botanical Gardens
- Zipquest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure
- Cameo Art House Theater
- Fascinate-U Children’s Museum
- Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey
- Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra
- Fayetteville Swamp Dogs
- Festival Park
- Lake in the Pines Swim Club
- The Climbing Place
- Crown Complex, the place for entertainment
- Catch a Fayetteville Woodpeckers game
Spring Lake:
Raeford:
Lillington:
Cameron:
Southern Pines:
Pinehurst:
Raleigh:
- RDU Observation Park
- Pullen Park
- American Tobacco Campus
- Glenwood South
- North Carolina Museum of History
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- North Carolina Museum of Art
- Marbles Kids Museum
- JC Raulston Arboretum
Chapel Hill:
Durham:
Wilmington:
Kure Beach:
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: Fort Bragg, NC
Military Wives Groups:
Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:
- Fort Bragg Veterans Market
- Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg–Buy, Sell & Trade used items
- Fayetteville Buy, Sell, Trade
Religious services:
Spouse Testimonials
“The Fort Bragg area is ideal for those that love beach, mountains, and quick city trips. There are so many places within a few hours of driving. There’s plenty to do in this area and lots of warm welcomes for military families. Definitely the All American City!” —Deb C.
