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Fort Liberty Guide

Kena Sosa

Fort Liberty, the Army installation formerly known as Fort Bragg, is a major Army base in North Carolina. This Army base is the home of XVIII Airborne Corps and supports the 82nd Airborne Division and U.S. Army Special Operations Command Headquarters.

This is said to be the most populous stateside military base in the Department of Defense. Below, you can learn more about Fort Liberty, the surrounding area, housing, schools, and childcare options.

Fort Liberty Local Area

Fort Liberty is in a major military community, with over 50 thousand troops stationed there. Approximately 14 thousand civilian employees work at the base. Fort Liberty’s total population may be above a quarter of a million people.

The sheer size of this base means the start of your off-duty pursuits might depend on where you live. Fort Liberty crosses Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, and Moore counties. It’s located mainly in Fayetteville but also partly resides in Spring Lake.

Fort Liberty is west of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Nearby attractions include a state park dedicated to veterans, Cape Fear River Trail, and the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. Other nearby options include the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Arsenal Park, and the 1897 Poe House.

In-Processing and Check-In

All troops PCSing or coming to Fort Liberty on TDY orders are directed to check in with the Fort Liberty Reception Company. You can check in here any time, including weekends and holidays, after duty hours, etc. Call 910-396-4250, DSN 312-236-4250 for more information.

After check-in, you should receive an in-processing packet. You have five duty days to inprocess and report. Students must report to their assigned brigade on arrival.

Fort Liberty Commissary

The Fort Liberty commissary has two locations:

Fort Liberty North
3571 Butner Road
Fort Liberty, NC 28307-5000
910.396.2316

Fort Liberty South
1017 Canopy Lane
Fort Liberty, NC 28310
910.912.2773

Child Care

Fort Liberty is served by 12 Child Development Centers located throughout the installation. These centers offer child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

According to the Department of Defense, some locations may offer extended hours, weekend care, and respite care. In spite of the high number of options at Fort Liberty, waiting lists may apply. Contact the CDC as soon as you have orders to the area to learn your options or to sign up for a waiting list.

You can research your Fort Liberty childcare options at MilitaryChildCare.com. This is a Defense Department official site that allows you to research and coordinate care around the world.

Fort Liberty Housing

Housing at Fort Liberty is privatized and operated under a public/private arrangement with Corvias Military Housing.

Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator

 

Fort Liberty PCS and TDY Lodging

Due to high demand, temporary lodging at Fort Liberty requires reservations and you should make them as early as possible. Pet-friendly facilities are minimal, don’t bring pets without making prior arrangements.

Fort Liberty Transportation

The usual ride-sharing options are available from nearby airports depending on the time of your arrival and other variables. The closest airports to Fort Liberty include:

It is best to coordinate your arrival with your sponsor or gaining unit. Fort Liberty is a restricted-access base, and you will need valid, unexpired ID to enter.

Fort Liberty Vehicle Registration

North Carolina State law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance and a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle. On-base drivers are subject to 100% ID checks, searches, and other measures.

According to DoD literature, to enter Fort Liberty initially, “You will need to show your military ID. If you do not have your military ID, you will need the following: driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance. Your vehicle will be searched.”

Fort Liberty Schools

Fort Liberty is served by Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, and families living on base “within 90 school days” are approved to attend Fort Liberty Schools, according to the DoD.

On-post schools are for those in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. No high schools operate on Fort Liberty, and high school-age students may be assigned to Smith High School in the Cumberland County School District.

Off-post school options may depend on where you live; contact the Fort Liberty School Liaison Office at 910-432-1023 to learn the most current transfer requirements and new student enrollment guidelines.

Fort Liberty Colleges and Universities

The base is served by The  Fort Liberty Army Education Center, which offers services including:

Call for more information: 910-432-2826 or DSN 312-239-2826. There are many colleges in the area, including:

Three Army Learning Centers on post offer Army Correspondence Courses, study materials, Speed Reading Programs, NCO Career Maps, and study materials.

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

Fort Liberty Contacts

Fort Liberty
Soldier Support Center
Building 4-2843 Normandy Street
Fort Liberty, NC 28310
910-396-8683

Important Contact Numbers

All numbers are prefixed 910:

Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide

Fort Liberty Base History

Fort Liberty got its start as Camp Bragg back in 1918. In the beginning, the installation served as an artillery training center.

By the time World War One was underway, only a tiny amount of the land we know as Fort Liberty today was occupied. The U.S. War Department purchased some 50 thousand acres, the First World War ended, and the site was used for long-range weapons testing for a time.

In 1940, things started to change rapidly due to the onset of World War Two. Camp Bragg found itself with more than 60 thousand troops; around this time, the Army developed what was new: airborne divisions and support elements. The 82nd and 101st Airbourne Divisions became essential parts of the mission.

At the war’s end, the 82nd Airborne Division was permanently assigned to what was by then known as Fort Bragg. In 1951, the XVIII Airborne Corps was reactivated here, and what we now know as U.S. Army Special Operations Command began operating at the Fort in 1952. Fort Bragg also became the headquarters for Special Forces Soldiers.

Fort Bragg was involved in many important missions over the years, including Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm, just to name a few.

Today the installation has been redesignated Fort Liberty is known as “The Home of the Airborne and Special Operations,” and is one of the largest bases in the world.

Fort Liberty Mission and Units

The former Fort Bragg is said to be the largest US Army base (measured by population) with more than 47 thousand active-duty soldiers, 51 thousand reservists, and students. The base is the home of the XVIII Airborne Corps. Essential missions and units here have included:

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