Fort Bragg, the Inside Scoop

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:14:04 -0400

Ok defenders of Freedom, looks like I am headed to the Mothership in September. What do I need to know? Those little things that make life easier. (Example, the Rancier Gate at Hood, not the best neighborhood to live, but 2nd fastest way on post pre pt)

Response by SSG Jamil Spruill made Jul 9 at 2015 1:24 AM

SSG Jamil Spruill — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:24:15 -0400

Yadkin gate not bad housing but traffic is horrible and it's the most narrow road in town, Reilly gate isn't bad apartments are slightly overpriced because most are all inclusive now, Raeford, Sandford, Springlake, Hope Mills best place to buy a house waaaayyyyy cheaper, stay away from Bragg Blvd and Murchison road area when looking for places to live. Walmart on skin road is the bad one, any other one is decent, but this one has fights, brawls, robberies happen in the parking lot. Military people kinda made a bad name around some areas so watch out when going out for fun. Fully in process all shops before allowing them to place you in training or you might do like I did and be there 4 months then deploy and come back and start my inprocessing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 2:55 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:55:22 -0400

Everything SGT Jamil Spruill is true. However, getting things like your ruck, boots and haircuts all on Yadkin road. Start at General Jacksons and work your way towards the gate and that's all you need. If turning left onto Skibo off of Yadkin road stay away from all rental properties on the left (personal experience) sounds weird but trust me. Radford rd towards the highway about an added 5-10 mins, making drive time to and from no more then 20mins if you hit it at the right time. Everything at Bragg is timing so learn alternate routes both on and off All American and Air Field. Depending on where you want to reside. If there's anything else I can think of I'll jump on here again. Enjoy it, there are a lot of great opportunities there. Oh yea BE READY TO RUN! No one WALKS on Ardennes.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 6:52 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 06:52:13 -0400

I just got here myself. I am on day three of post inprocessing. Try to get a unit sponsor before coming. The sponsorship lady highly suggested we got the welcome packet as it has maps, etc. It would've been helpful before I had to drive around looking for CIF.

Response by MSG Joe Bodenbender made Jul 9 at 2015 8:40 AM

MSG Joe Bodenbender — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:40:56 -0400

Do you have kids? I recommend Raeford and Rockfish Elementary school is great for young kids, the middle and high school I'm not a big fan of. you can use the Raeford road gate to get on post. Takes me about 26 min to get to work in most traffic. From the School

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 9:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:42:44 -0400

I was stationed at Bragg for almost 14 years and the guys above me are right. Yadkin Rd is a gold mine of assets. I recommend Kim's #1 Sweing for Dry Cleaning and boots. I used them the entire time I was stationed there. As for areas to live... I'd say the Raeford or Southern Pines area. It's a little more of a commute but worth it when it comes to getting on post and getting home. You can use the Longstreet Gate or the Chicken Gate. Traffic is nuts so make peace with that. Bragg is the Mothership and the Center of the Universe... Be ready for an experience.

Response by SSG Steven Dowell made Jul 9 at 2015 9:54 AM

SSG Steven Dowell — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:54:05 -0400

If your needing gear there is a new surplus store right outside of reily gate as your headed inbound. He'll hook you way up. Even has uniforms brand new for extremely cheap. Things such as patches and little stuff, general Jacksons isn't bad. For alterations or boot shine I dropped off all my stuff before a 4 day FTX. Got it back when we returned and they went above and beyond to make my stuff look good. Only 95$ at songs alterations on Yadkin road. Hope this was helpful

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 11:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:56:13 -0400

Don't live in Fayetteville

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 12:09 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:09:27 -0400

It was the easiest in-processing I ever did. Take some time and drive around (hopefully with a sponsor). I didn't have a sponsor but found an old friend stationed here to show me where everything was.
If you've been in XVIII ABC units before you already know the silliness. If not, get used to rucking and running.
I live around Sanford/Spout Springs and we have had low crime in my neighborhood.

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Jul 9 at 2015 3:48 PM

SSG Michael Hartsfield — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:48:14 -0400

I would avoid living in Fayetteville proper as well. The Plantation outside of Speing Lake isn't a bad spot and Raeford is still getting a lot of new construction to match the new hospital and Emergency Care facility. Keep in mind that the new Chicken Road ACP isn't bad either but they also had two new construction projects along that road when I was there

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 10:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 22:32:03 -0400

Bragg is amazing! I just left. You can get everything you need right around base. Great hiking, camping, vineyards and fishing further outside of Fayetteville but great post!! CIF is the hardest thing to find when in-processing.

Response by SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr made Jul 13 at 2015 11:55 PM

SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:55:20 -0400

It's been almost 8yrs since my retirement; however, I spent 15yrs at Bragg. I would look to the areas of Spring Lake or Sanford, they were both up and coming and quiet when I left. Best route in for more PT will totally be based on Unit and Home. Yadkin RD is the mall for Soldiers, you have your fast food, dry cleaners, barber shops, and surplus store. Household 6 and the crumb crunchers have the Cross Creek Mall (at the opposite in of Yadkin Rd from Bragg) and Wal-Marts all around.

Response by SSG Chris Garabitos made Jul 14 at 2015 3:26 PM

SSG Chris Garabitos — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:26:48 -0400

Fayetteville is in the process of getting a highway interchange system which will even traffic 100 fold from how it is now. Raeford and hope mills both have excellent housing opportunities as well as presenting several options for your daily commute. There is post housing about 10 miles outside the north side of Bragg. Throughout my 10 years here, I've learned location for a house isn't really everything if you aren't comfortable and have enough room.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 8:04 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 20:04:50 -0400

I'm retired out here so cant speak to activities on the base....can tell you if you don't mind a 20-30 min and have kids Hope Mills ...Gray's Creek School District is one of the top school in the county. I would try to avoid anywhere around Yakin Rd s the traffic terrible. There are plenty of community events to go to both on base and downtown...there are to community theaters in town. If you are planning to buy a house I can refer you to a realtor that is excellent tell her what you are looking for and she will find it.....good luck....let me know if you want the realtor information.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 10:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 22:42:39 -0400

Don't use Butner gate unless you are going toward the Pope side of base. If you ever have PT on the polo field, go through the Randolph gate.

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 9 at 2016 5:33 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 17:33:06 -0400

When you look at a map it looks like Ft. Bragg goes all the way to a place called "Red Spring"...and it does, kinda...that's all DZs, LZs and IZs out there. Buy a house on the far side of Raeford and you've got a 40 minute commute. Without Chicken Rd traffic.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2017 4:20 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 04:20:40 -0400

If you're going to the 82nd all you need to know is get your white slip (Jumpmaster pre-test) ASAP and GRF sucks. lol

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Dec 25 at 2017 10:45 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 22:45:07 -0500

Judging by the comments, Fort Bragg and Fayetteville have changed dramatically since I was there in 1984. A good friend of mine who had retired about six years ago said I wouldn't recognize it. I'd probably have to get a guide should I return.
My last home was just behind Eutaw Shopping Center off Bragg Boulevard on Lyon Road.