Earliest at Bragg
 

The 1st time that I was at Fort Bragg was in 1950, when I was 4 years old. My dad was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and we were there for two years. I used to go with my younger brother to a lake to go swimming during the summer with my Mom and sometimes my Grand-Mother. One day when I was supposed to be taking a nap, I got up, took my towel and trunks off of the clothes line and went back to the lake. The life guard wouldn’t let me in to the swim area, so I went exploring.

Meanwhile my GM discovered that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be and she called my dad. My Dad (who was a company commander) alerted his company to start searching for me. They searched for three + hours and finally found me by the Airfield (Pope AAF). I was laying down “Watching my Daddies Airplanes. That was my 1st Spanking!

We lived in dependent housing in had been Army Barracks during WWII on Smoke Bomb Hill. The next time that I was on Fort Bragg was in 1970 when I attended the MATA Course. Several old time SF were sitting around discussing who had been at Bragg the longest or the earliest. I couldn’t win for the longest but I would bet that I had been there the earliest!

De Oppresso Liber,

SFMike:lifter

Not fair...........:D I got there in April of 1955,assigned to the 505 PIR,C Co. for my next 8 weeks of advanced training and then Airborne school..........:) I'm sure there are a lot of old timers before me but are they still kickin?...........:p.

Big Teddy :munchin

Anyone else born there? :cool:

You guys were there WAY before me, but I took my first breath on Ft. Bragg when my father was in the 18th ABN Corps.

That would explain that strange part in your hair, the crossed eyes, the slurred speech, and the need to constantly check for wind direction and speed while estimating the heights of the trees surrounding your back yard. :p :D

As a relative latecomer, I arrived at Fort Bragg for SFTG in January 1971.

And so it goes...

Richard :munchin

lol At least you didn't say nothin' 'bout my banjer.

I arrived there shortly after July 4, 1970. I'd have been there earlier, but they held us at Benning after BAC so we could march in a parade.

Soon after, I was doing "Pass In Review" as a trainee with real SF troops... through the use of "22-Flanagan" (Left Flanks instead of Column Lefts).

February, 1969, phase one.......smoke bomb hill was full of WW2, Korea and multiple tours of Nam vets. There was a parade held for those that participated in D-day, one soldier was excluded because he was on the German guns at the time !
:D

When did they quit having jump school at Ft.Bragg and started sending them to Ft. Benning?.......;)

Big Teddy :munchin

I believe it was closed in 1962.

Didn't make it there 'till April of '84.

Some pictures of the 'old days' would be interesting.

.

I realize this maybe a dumb question,but is there still a Smoke Bomb hill?.....;)

Memories are getting dim after almost 50+ years since I was there......:D

Big Teddy :munchin

LOL.....

Teddy,

I was there last weekend and it was still there. The JFKSWC museum, JFK Chapel, White House, they were all there.

Quite a few new buildings since I left there around '90. Quite a few. :eek:

I do not know if it is still referred to as Smoke Bomb Hill, but they have not removed it yet.

Tress

Tress,

Thanks........;)

Big Teddy :munchin

Darn Tress, I work right there across the street from the museum...In Bryant hall, the six story....we hook up next time..I'm usually there, unless I'm out at the 18E committee..

Sorry! You are at work on Saturdays???

I went for Lenny Whistler's memorial service. Also stopped by the museum to pick up my Yarborough Knife. I got into town about noon and left around dusk. Next time. Maybe a few weeks.

But that place has changed alot. There is even a vertical wind tunnel now right near where the weapons committee was at one time. Damn!

Fayetteville has changed ten-fold more than Bragg. It definitely looks different.

Tress

Yes, but the Smoke Bomb Hill you remember is long gone.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ds=n&pq=...-8&sa=N&tab=nl

oooppp...no worky on Sat's...LOL..

Yup, the whole post is nothing like it was...lotsa money being dumped in here...

Basic in 1966, SFOC & 3rd SFG(A) in 1967. Feeling a little old now.

Same as Richard, January 1971.

i was born at Bragg in 1969. Left sometime in the 70s when my Dad went to ROTC before retiring. I went back to Bragg in Jan 94 with the 504th PIR. Bragg is where I learned how to be a Soldier.

I started SFTG in September 1966. Does that mean I'm a FOG?

Jack
SFA M-12139
Mike Force Assoc

Date of Arrival at FT.BRAGG.
 

Arrived at FT.BRAGG on Wednesday Dec. 5, 1962 after a long bus ride from Ft. Benning. The first Special Forces Soldier that met our bus at Smoke Bomb Hill was Sgt. Bryan E Grogan. He was KIA in Vietnam on 7/5/1965. He was 29 years old and a 2nd Lt. at the time of his loss. Rest In Peace Brother. It has been 49 years since I first met him. Tom Kelly

March 1969, one young butter-bar fresh out of OCS & Jump School.. :D