Tips For Relocating to Fort Bragg

There are almost 1700 soldiers and their families that will be relocating to Fort Bragg (Fayetteville) North Carolina in the next several months. As they are relocating and looking for homes – I thought that this information on Soldier Support would be helpful.  Frankly, I was impressed with all of the resources available to Veteran’s and their families.

Personal Moving Tips:

I moved 9 times as a kid – so I have some experience with this.  No I wasn’t a Military “brat” but my dad was a mortgage lender, and as he progressed through the ranks of the Bank – we moved.  When we were selling our home, my mom always gave each of us a laundry basket to keep next to all closet doors. When our home was going to be shown, and we had to clean up fast – she threw everything in the laundry baskets, and set them in the bottom of the closet.    She would run 10 minute drills with us to be sure everybody knew how to get the house ready FAST.

When we moved, she made us put everything we would need to sleep in our own bed the first night in the top drawer of our dresser.  So, it had my pajamas, my favorite pillow, sheets for my bed, my book, bear – and as I got older I normally put a flashlight with a battery and my toothbrush in there.   I also was in charge of the “temporary” tool kit.  It had the push pins so we could hang sheets from the windows if we needed to, a fly swatter, double AA batteries, duct tape, a hammer – you get the picture.

My mom also had everything we needed to make Brownies somewhere she could easily get to.  That way – as we were unpacking our things, the house started smelling like home. If there were kids near by – we could bond over warm brownies!  Worked EVERY TIME!

If you are moving to North Carolina in any month that MIGHT be warm – I suggest having a fan, an extension cord and an umbrella somewhere easy to get to.  We can get sticky hot quick here, and it’s normal to have a rain storm in the late afternoon.

Ft. Bragg Resources For Families Moving to North Carolina:

RRP provides assistance to military personnel (active duty, retired, National Guard, Reserve), DoD civilians, and family members moving to or from Fort Bragg. RRP provides information on Fort Bragg as well as Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine installations worldwide. Information regarding housing, transportation, legal claims, EFMP, financial management and sponsorship is provided. The program also sponsors monthly pre-move briefings.  View Relocation Readiness Tri-fold [.pdf]

Newcomer’s Orientation at Fort Bragg is held every 1st & 2nd Tuesday from 0900-1130 on the 3rd floor of the Soldier Support Center.  Information available on schools, housing, employment, medical care, recreation, welcome packet and many other services. For more info and registration, call 910-907-3499. For more events please see the ACS Calendar.

Vetfriends has a ton of Resources for folks moving to Ft. Bragg

Veterans Empowering Veterans is an organization that does great and we met them in Clayton.

Pets for Vets has a chapter in Eastern North Carolina.  This is a wonderful service for Veterans, and a great way to meet new people too!  You might also be interested in Volunteering through the Canines For Service that helps provide Service Dogs to Disabled Vets and their families.

The 4-H Clubs in North Carolina also have a great program to help Military Families in North Carolina.  This is a special program, and it gives kids a voice and an opportunity to talk about being part of a military family in a healthy and progressive environment.

Many folks who move to Fayetteville find themselves in a situation where the Vet is stationed at Ft Bragg, but someone in the household ends up with a job near Raleigh.  Harnett County and Johnston County have become a “hot spot” for Veterans – and the homes are VERY affordable in this area!

Looking for information about qualifying for a VA Home Loan in North Carolina?  We have tons of information to share about VA Benefits and VA Credit Score Tips, so that you can qualify for a VA Mortgage Loan!  Welcome to NC!  We think you’ll like it here! 

Call Steve Thorne, 919-649-5058 if you need help with obtaining your Certificate of Eligibility, or have questions about Relocating to Fort Bragg