View Full Version : Fort Bragg or Bust
Hi All,
18 X Mom and I have our plane tickets booked to RDU so we can then take the scenic (?) drive to Fort Bragg for our son's graduation from SFQC on May 25 and 26. It looks like we'll be staying on the Fort Bragg grounds (if son makes reservations). I know it's Memorial Day Weekend so I'm sure many of you will be out of town. However, if any of you are going to be around, I would enjoy the opportunity to meet you and introduce to you my wife and my soldier. My son will be 21 years old just two days before the graduation so we can all legally raise a glass and toast to his future health and success.
Excuse me for being redundant but I must again thank all of you on PS.com who have provided information, guidance, suggestions and the occasional backhand :mad: to me while I observed this amazing journey my son has been on. I appreciate the professionalism shown by the QPs and moderators and the strong sense of support and brotherhood for those men who are attempting to join the ranks of the U.S. Special Forces.
Drop me a PM if you plan to be in Fort Bragg May 25-28 and we'll see if we can get together. I would also appreciate any "insider tourist tips." I think we'll stay mainly in the Fort Bragg area but are open to ideas.
18 X Dad
The Reaper
04-12-2006, 20:14
You can come to Bragg from RDU the long easy way via I-40 to I-95, or the shorter way down US1 to Sanford and NC87 to Bragg.
Plan to visit the SF Museum, the 82nd Museum, and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. There is a good microbrewery, Huske Hardware, just down the street from the ASOM. Best non-chain restaurant in town is a seafood place called the 316 Oyster Bar.
You will be 35 miles from Pinehurst. Pinehurst has over 40 golf courses in a 15 mile radius, including the 2005 US Open Course, if you enjoy that sort of thing.
It will be hot and it will be humid. Enjoy yourself.
TR
....Plan to visit the SF Museum, the 82nd Museum, and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.........
TR
The pictures and other stuff on the wall are worth the stop into the Green Beret Club. Drop in and have a cool one after the 82nd and SF Museums, then head down town for the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.
While somewhat of a backslider I would also recommend a short visit to the JFK Chapel. Just to sit, look at the windows and reflect on life for a few minutes.
Would love to link up but I will be out of town that weekend.
Pete
18x dad:
Before the first ceremony, I had the pleasure to walk the JFK Chapel. It was very enjoyable. I had the extra pleasure to be there during the day when they happened to be testing their audio system. I walked the chapel by myself with this great music playing the background. The whole experience was very moving.
The graduation process was a two day experience. Your son may be tied up in meetings the first day, so you will have to navigate on your own. Be sure to get good directions to the arena where the second ceremony is held on day two. If you're not familiar with the area or are direction handicapped like me, it can be difficult to find.
The JFK special warfare museum also has a great gift shop. Enjoy your trip! :)
Warrior-Mentor
04-13-2006, 10:41
Since TR beat me to my primary recommendations...
Here's my Dad's favorites...Striker Golf Course, Ryder Golf Course, Carolina Lakes Golf Course...
See a trend in my Dad's preferences?
Enjoy your time at Bragg!
JM
You can come to Bragg from RDU the long easy way via I-40 to I-95, or the shorter way down US1 to Sanford and NC87 to Bragg.
Plan to visit the SF Museum, the 82nd Museum, and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. There is a good microbrewery, Huske Hardware, just down the street from the ASOM. Best non-chain restaurant in town is a seafood place called the 316 Oyster Bar.
You will be 35 miles from Pinehurst. Pinehurst has over 40 golf courses in a 15 mile radius, including the 2005 US Open Course, if you enjoy that sort of thing.
It will be hot and it will be humid. Enjoy yourself.
TR
18X Dad
TRs suggests are the way to go. If your a golfer. Anyway about it I would go the US1 from RDU, stop in SoutherPine and Pinehurst and see the National Golf course there. Get some lunch at the one of the "houses" there. Maybe someone can show you CMK?
The Airborne and Special Operations Museum (http://www.asomf.org/) is a real nice museum along with the JFK (http://www.jfkwebstore.com/index.php)next to the First Regimental Formation area.
If your here till the weekend and are staying over Friday night in town. Your Son must take you and Mom to the Green Beret (GB) Club Friday evening for Drinks. You can see many of the people that are one here and some great history within it too.
If me and my Family aren't at the beach that weekend, I'll PM you and let you know. Get a round at the GB club.
Enjoy the time at Bragg. Get you Hotel laid on ASAP too. SF Grads bring a lot of people into town, so hotels fill up fast!!
Congratulations, proud Dad!
18X Dad
If your here till the weekend and are staying over Friday night in town. Your Son must take you and Mom to the Green Beret (GB) Club Friday evening for Drinks. You can see many of the people that are one here and some great history within it too.
If me and my Family aren't at the beach that weekend, I'll PM you and let you know. Get a round at the GB club.
What's the "protocol" for the Green Beret Club? Will my son have to wear his beret to get in? Also, as a new SF soldier, is he expected to buy a round for the house? :eek: These are probably crazy questions in your eyes but remember I'm just a dad on the other side of the U.S.
Thanks for any information you can offer.
Roguish Lawyer
04-13-2006, 12:49
What's the "protocol" for the Green Beret Club? Will my son have to wear his beret to get in?
They let anyone in, even lawyers. :D
Finish a Rooster at the restaurant TR suggested and get a free t-shirt.
Aequitas
04-13-2006, 12:51
"this is my first time....shit!"
Congrats 18XDad! Have fun out here and best wishes to your son and family.
They let anyone in, even lawyers. :D
Finish a Rooster at the restaurant TR suggested and get a free t-shirt.
Don't set him up for failure....those things are vicious!
;)
The Reaper
04-13-2006, 12:57
Don't set him up for failure....those things are vicious!
;)
Actually, you have to finish three of them for the free shirt.
TR
What's the "protocol" for the Green Beret Club? Will my son have to wear his beret to get in? Also, as a new SF soldier, is he expected to buy a round for the house? :eek: These are probably crazy questions in your eyes but remember I'm just a dad on the other side of the U.S.
Thanks for any information you can offer.
Dad,
Just come on in, like RL said all invited. No berets, Uniform or Civ's.
Your son will have to buy a round if he doesn't have a little thing in his pocket or wallet. He'll know know what to have but Grad day. Let us know when he finds out what he needs to have at the bar on him. Well most of the time, but mainly at the bar! or he'll have to buy a round for the bar.
Only time I don't have mine is when I don't have my wallet, and thats on partol.
Warrior-Mentor
04-13-2006, 13:56
In fact, if he wears his beret into the bar, he'll need to buy a round when hears the bell!
And don't put your hat on the bar either....
Just saving you some cash. ;)
JM
The Reaper
04-13-2006, 14:06
First of all, most SF guys will not wear a beret from the car into the club.
Second of all, they will almost always be stuffed into a cargo pocket, so no risk to the bar.
Wearing the beret proudly or having it in his hand to place on the bar will mark him as a Noob, the IG, the Command Group, or part of the NCO Academy staff.:D
TR
gtcrispy
04-13-2006, 15:25
I appreciate the helpful hints :D
Warrior-Mentor
04-13-2006, 16:29
I learned my lesson when a knuckle head buddy of mine set me up for an ambush at the Gator Lounge at Florida Phase. Went down to visit him (he was in command of a company down there at the time). Walked into the bar where he said nothing, pulled his hat off and rang the bell before I could get my PC off. Left me hanging for a round. Luckily, the bar was almost empty. I was still mad about him leaving me hanging. :mad:
The Reaper
04-13-2006, 16:33
"You got a good buddy, so loyal and true...."
TR
Warrior-Mentor
04-13-2006, 17:02
Buddy is only half the word...
He was a National Guard Infantry Officer (AGR) who some how managed to get an active duty Ranger (Training) Company Command...so good on him...just not the most socially adept guy around....he thought it was funny.
Buddy is only half the word...
He was a National Guard Infantry Officer (AGR) who some how managed to get an active duty Ranger (Training) Company Command...so good on him...just not the most socially adept guy around....he thought it was funny.
Maybe you can coin him when you know hes unprepared. :munchin
Team Sergeant
04-14-2006, 08:41
Maybe you can coin him when you know hes unprepared. :munchin
We got coined once on the tailgate of a C-130 at 13000ft two seconds before we were "pushed" off the tailgate. I think it was a MFF committee member that coined us and then pushed us.....bastard had a coin "taped" to his palm.
If I remember correctly we killed and buried him on the DZ.
TS
Warrior-Mentor
04-14-2006, 13:07
We got coined once on the tailgate of a C-130 at 13000ft two seconds before we were "pushed" off the tailgate. I think it was a MFF committee member that coined us and then pushed us.....bastard had a coin "taped" to his palm.
If I remember correctly we killed and buried him on the DZ.
TS
I don't remember a time limit in the rules about presenting a coin...just that it has to be on your person.
Now if you didn't have it on you when you assembled on the DZ...bad on you. :D
I have to say come into Southern Pines, its about a 25-30 minute drive. It's well worth it to walk around town, eat at the ice cream parlor and if your a coffee fan like me head to franky's. Whispering Pines is about 5 minute's away if you play golf, id reccomend it, pretty reasonable prices and I live right next door if you want to go swing some clubs.