Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg Relocation Information
Image from Fayetteville.gov
Welcome to Fort Bragg!
If your military branch affiliation is the Army, there’s a significant chance that along the course of your career one of your duty stations will be Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Nearly 10 percent of all Army troops are assigned here. In fact, regardless of your branch, a PCS to Fort Bragg is a strong possibility since the installation houses a tremendous amount of servicemembers from across the U.S. military. The Airmen stationed at Pope Field are just one example.
Images via defense.gov.
Fort Bragg is also home to well known units such as U.S. Army Forces Command (including Reservists and the National Guard), the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, and the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne). These are in addition to dozens of smaller units that are active on Fort Bragg.
Image via army.mil, Public Domain
About 50,000 service members and nearly 30,000 civilians call Fort Bragg their workplace. When combined with the thousands of family members who live on Fort Bragg, the total population functions more like a small city, covering over 250 square miles, including massive training grounds, and has significant influence on five adjacent counties.
Because Fort Bragg is so widespread, incoming families are often confused as to which city to explore to find a home. Seasoned Fort Bragg residents emphasize learning your spouse’s daily office location and calculate commute times from there. Although Fayetteville is the closest city to Fort Bragg, it may not be the most convenient to drive to work each day.
Depending on their needs, Fort Bragg military families also consider living in Aberdeen, Raeford, Lillington, Sanford, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Vass.
In 2018, Fort Bragg celebrated its 100th anniversary. Initially constructed to house artillery, Fort Bragg evolved to house some of the premier fighting forces the Army has to offer. For one year, events on Fort Bragg and in surrounding communities were dedicated to supporting servicemembers and their families as well as the civilian workforce that keeps Fort Bragg successfully operating.
Army paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division participate in a division run as part of All American Week 2018 at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 21, 2018.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Bragg
1) How many gates access Fort Bragg?
Fort Bragg has 12 gates the public can use. Knowing which one is closest to work and/or your home is vitally important for the most efficient commute route.
- Reilly Road- various days and hours
- Knox Street Truck Plaza- open to commercial vehicles only, various days and hours
- Knox Street East/MMD- various days and hours
- Butner Road- various days and hours
- Manchester Road- 24/7
- Longstreet Road- 24/7
- Chicken Road- 24/7
- Yadkin Road- 24/7
- All American Freeway- 24/7 Visitor Control Center provides guest passes
- Honeycutt Road- 24/7
- Randolph Road- 24/7
- Simmons Army Airfield- 24/7
2) Does Fort Bragg have its own schools?
Yes and no. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) operates 9 schools on Fort Bragg. The grades range from Pre-K through 8. High school students attend classrooms either in the Cumberland County School District (EE Smith High School) or the Harnett County School District (Overhills High School), depending on which part of Fort Bragg their family resides.
3) What is the cost of living near Fort Bragg?
The popular cities around Fort Bragg are affordable against the national average, but there is a range. For reference, in Fayetteville, the median home value is about $123,000, which is 29% lower than the national average. In Southern Pines it is $285,000, and in Raeford, $180,000. Fayetteville’s utility prices are 5% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses, such as gas, are 6% lower than the national average. You can expect similar statistics for the smaller communities near Fort Bragg.
4) What is the BAH for Fort Bragg?
The BAH for Fort Bragg ranges from $1530 for E-1 to $2022 for E9 with dependents and $1617 for O-1 to $2427 for O-7 with dependents.
5) Where should we live if stationed at Fort Bragg?
If only there were one answer! Because Fort Bragg is so large and integrates with so many communities, there are dozens of options depending on your personal preferences.
To start, Fort Bragg has privatized military housing, through Corvias. You can expect to turn over your exact BAH amount to live in one of their homes. Communities are made up of older and remodeled homes, historic properties, and newer built houses. Wait lists are common, but move at a relatively quick pace because of the amount of people that come and go regularly.
Off Fort Bragg, you’ll likely get more square footage for your rent or mortgage payments, depending on the type of property you choose. All housing types are available from apartments to single and multi-family homes. Urban, suburban, and country style living have ample choices.
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View of Market House, Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC
Base Location and Information
Fort Bragg is one of the military’s largest installations, with one of the largest populations. This is reflected in the traffic and life patterns across the base and within surrounding cities. Fort Bragg’s amenities are plentiful: 34 restaurants, 15 medical clinics, 11 churches, 13 fitness outlets, an ice rink, campground, library, hotels, and movie theaters. There are two very large commissaries, North and South Post, and the CDC system operates 12 facilities.
The progression of Interstate 295, the Fayetteville Outer Loop, has improved access on and off Fort Bragg from many exits dotted around the cities that servicemembers are commuting to and from, but the construction isn't entirely finished. Delays and heavy traffic exist, and completion isn't expected until 2025.
Completed section highlighted in red, future section highlighted in dark blue, via NCDOT.
The city of Fayetteville is often the nexus of an affordable cost of living and a simple commute to Fort Bragg, so it's where you’ll find the densest amount of everyday conveniences including shopping and restaurants. For this reason, especially on the weekends, it is common for favorite retail outlets to be crowded and for eateries to have long wait times.
Although service is spotty, Uber and other ride share programs are operational on and around Fort Bragg. Military families often use their services to reach travel depots like the historic Amtrak station in downtown Fayetteville.
Image from Pixabay
Further out, Fayetteville Regional Airport has quick access to major cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C., every day. If you prefer park and fly, or to save money on airfare, Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 1.5 hours away.
Interstate 95 is quickly accessible from Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, leading up and down the East Coast, which simplifies trips to the Atlantic Ocean beaches like the Outer Banks and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. To the west, it's only a couple hours' drive to the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.
Closer to home, Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte are day trips that include a larger variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options that aren’t available near Fort Bragg. Along the way, the opportunity to antique in small shops and collectible stores such as the popular Replacements, Ltd. in McLeansville are frequent.
Arrival Lodging
Fort Bragg offers on base lodging through IHG Army Hotels. To make reservations, visit the IHG Army Hotel site or call 1-877-711-TEAM.
Reception Desks
Moon Hall: (910) 396-7700
Normandy House: (910) 396-7700, ext 4198
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Fort Bragg Housing
Housing photo via Bragg Corvias Living
Military housing at Fort Bragg is privatized and operated by Corvias Military Living. On base housing is offered in 10 different neighborhoods. Each unique community has its own Neighborhood Manager and a dedicated maintenance team, along with amenities for residents such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and community centers.
Something to note—although technically part of Corvias Military Housing, Linden Oaks is a very popular neighborhood separate from the main gates of Fort Bragg, about 15-20 minutes away. It is a gated neighborhood unto itself, served by DODEA schools (3 elementary and 1 middle) as well as 2 swimming pools, shoppette, and police and fire station.
Corvias Leasing Center
426 Souter Place
Fort Bragg, NC 28307
Phone: (910) 495-0878
Fax: (910) 436-0643
Email: braggrelocation@corvias.com
Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fort Bragg Housing Office (910) 396-8516
Fort Bragg Off Post Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort Bragg: Fort Bragg homes.
Off Fort Bragg, military families looking for a home have the chance to seek out single family homes, apartments, townhouses, and quaint historic lofts in downtown settings. Not only do housing types vary, but so do the city’s personalities. Country living, city life, small town charm, and communities geared toward younger servicemembers are all available. Knowing your priorities (commute, schools, and budget) before arriving will help point out the right fit.
Fayetteville, Sanford, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Raeford, and Pinehurst, Southern Pines make up some of the most popular cities to live in. Take a look at some the baseline commute times:
- Spring Lake: 5 minutes
- Fayetteville: 20 minutes
- Hope Mills: 20 minutes
- Raeford: 30 minutes
- Southern Pines/Pinehurst: 45 minutes
- Sanford: 45 minutes
Base Search
City Search
Fort Bragg BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Bragg is near Fayetteville and Hope Mills, NC. Some sample Fort Bragg BAH rates for zip code 28310.
- E-1 with dependents: $1530
- E-1 without dependents: $1230
- E-9 with dependents: $2022
- E-9 without dependents: $1728
- O-1 with dependents: $1617
- O-1 without dependents: $1482
- O-7 with dependents: $2427
- O-7 without dependents: $1962
Area Weather and Climate
By KMaynerECU - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Most people really enjoy the moderate climate that Fayetteville experiences. Hot to warm to mild temperatures are the norm with higher than average humidity. Occasional colder temperatures and some winter weather change up the scenery and provide coveted snow days just because there isn’t the support to maintain roads properly.
Spring starts pleasant, but has an increased chance of tornadoes and rapidly warms as the summer approaches. Highs reach the mid 70s. Prepare for allergies, old and new.
Summer is time to take the trip to the mountains or the beach to cool off. Humidity is thick and afternoon thunderstorms are the norm. Expect ninety degrees and above for days at a time.
A light jacket and jeans is the perfect outfit for leaf peeping in the fall.
Unless you're planning to ski on a regular basis, a heavy winter collection for the winter isn’t necessary. Hat, gloves, and scarf will do.
Fort Bragg Area Schools
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) governs the Fort Bragg School District. There are five elementary schools teaching grades pre-K through 5 and one primary school that houses pre-K through grade 1. The intermediate school operates grades 2 through 5, and two middle schools teach grades 6 through 8. High school students, grades 9 through 12, attend classes in public schools nearest their address, likely in Cumberland or Harnett counties.
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Fort Bragg Schools
Cumberland County Schools
Harnett County Schools
Nearby counties of Hoke, Moore, and Sampson are also school system possibilities.
Irwin Intermediate School via U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Many small and large private schools operate within driving distance of Fort Bragg and offer paid bus service. These are a few popular campuses: Fayetteville Academy, Fayetteville Christian School, St Patrick Catholic School, and Carolina Performing Arts.
Fort Bragg Homeschool Support and North Carolinians for Home Education are available for families to connect with before arriving.
Do discuss the school year calendar with administration at your potential school. The private and public schools near Fort Bragg operate on various time and date schedules. This could be problematic in calculating credits if your student’s outgoing school doesn’t use the same schedule of semesters.
To connect with Fort Bragg’s School Liaison Officer, call:
- (910) 432-1023
- (910) 396-3338
- (910) 908-2619
email usarmy.bragg.imcom-fmwrc.mbx.slo@mail.mil
Support for Military and Families
Image from freepik.com
Fort Bragg’s size and resources bring education, career, and volunteer opportunities for military families that smaller military towns aren’t able to support. Because of the close relationship with Fayetteville in particular, you'll find lots of options for education and volunteering.
Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Campbell University are three top schools in close commute.
On Fort Bragg, Army Community Services Volunteer Program and the Red Cross at Womack Army Medical Center, Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, and NC Veterans Park offer plenty of chances to donate your time.
Career transferability may cause concern, depending on your profession. It's not unusual for military spouses to commute north to Raleigh and cities in between to look for work. Take a look at the biggest employers near Fort Bragg: Cape Fear Valley Health Systems, Department of Defense, County Board of Education, The City of Fayetteville, and Cumberland County.
Some more helpful links:
Things to Do Near Fort Bragg
Photo by Aranxa Esteve on Unsplash
With mild weather all year long, you'll find the outdoors serves as a backdrop for many activities. Street festivals and outdoor concerts take place nearly every week. The Sicily Drop Zone, Markethouse in downtown Fayetteville, and ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure are a few military family local favorites.
Coming up with fun day trips and weekend getaways is no trouble at all. Explore these destinations: Raven Rock State Park, NC Aquarium, and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro are all within a few hours' drive. If you’re looking to make a few-day trip out of it to unplug and play tourist, you'll find Asheville, Wilmington, and Charleston within reach for a quick weekend getaway.
More Fort Bragg Area Info
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Base Address:
Armistead and Macomb St
Fort Bragg
,
28310-5000