The North Carolina Attorney General shut down payday lending through storefront locations in this state several years ago but some overseas and tribal payday lenders continue to make loans online. To further complicate matters, people who apply for a payday loan online, or even request information, can find themselves targeted by scammers. 

Cooks are the unsung heroes in an Army unit. Working long hours with little fanfare or recognition, cooks provide Soldiers with something that highly affects overall morale — chow. 

Medical concerns are always a hot topic on Army posts. At Fort Bragg, military personnel and their Families are very familiar with the myriad of healthcare related concerns. In an effort to answer some of these concerns and issues about access to care, Col. Steven Brewster, commander of Womack Army Medical Center, hosted a virtual town hall meeting on the Fort Bragg Facebook page May 16, at 10 a.m. He was joined by the chief of Family Medicine, a patient representative, and subject matter experts from WAMC.

The sun rises and shadows cascade off oil filters, tires and rows of boxes containing various items from screws to engines, all waiting to do their part in keeping Soldiers and units ready to roll. The parts are neatly on display, ready to be grabbed up and put to use. 

Many of us seem to have adapted into a culture of immediate gratification.  Whether it is fast food, instant credit, or simply seeking information; we want what we want and we want it NOW!  This statement couldn’t be truer when it comes to sex.  For example, look at the incident that occurred in Steubenville, Ohio earlier this year, where high school football players sexually assaulted a girl so intoxicated that she couldn’t stand up by herself.  Or any of the many stories of servicemembers doing similar acts to their fellow brothers or sisters in arms depicted in “The Invisible War”.  

The opportunity to serve as a liaison officer for a Soldier can present itself at any time, any place. These opportunities can occur in everyday life, such as meeting a stranger in at the commissary, starting a new job, or in many cases, being introduced to foreign soldiers, while traveling the world to accomplish the mission. These encounters can provide many beneficial aspects, including lasting friendships.

Gen. Daniel B. Allyn assumed command of the Army’s largest organization, U.S. Army Forces Command, during a ceremony Friday, at Fort Bragg.

Soldier-to-Soldier accountability has been a staple of military history since its inception and remains so today.

WASHINGTON — After weeks of review, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has concluded budget cuts will require most of the department’s civilian employees to be furloughed beginning in July. However, because of other efforts to deal with the shortfall, only half of the 22 days originally envisioned as temporary layoffs will now be necessary.

As part of the Military Information Support Command’s ongoing military-to- military relationship building efforts, the 4th Military Information Support Group (Airborne) hosted a delegation from the Special Operations Command — Central and the Kazakhstani Ministry of Defense psychological operations forces at Fort Bragg.

The Integrated Disability Evaluation System was created after officials in Washington decided to examine the healthcare system that looked after the nation’s veterans in the wake of abuse allegations at the Army’s Walter Reed Medical Center in 2007.

For the second consecutive year, two Panther Brigade Soldiers from the “All-American” Division came out on top as the 2013 XVIII Airborne Corps Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.

In order to understand an increasingly ambiguous global operational environment, the U.S. Army must continually assess and refine the way it operates, develops its people, increases its capabilities and exploits its advantages, said Maj. Gen. Les Carroll, U.S. Army Forces Command chief of staff May 1, at Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg is known as the center of the universe, when it comes to the U.S. military’s warfighting effort. But it can also be called the center of Army safety, as the installation’s Safety Office was recently recognized for making the installation one of the Army’s safest.

Spring is here! And for motorcycle enthusiasts with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, it means time to break out the bikes and ride. But there are a few things they must complete before the troopers strap on their helmets, pull on their gloves and hit the open road – proper license, training and motorcycle inspections.

Sgt. James Hayes has one piece of advice for soon-to-deploy mechanics — take your training seriously.

In nature, a magnolia is known for its strength, longevity and ability to stay rooted, so when Linda Miller began an organization in the 1990s dedicated to empowering mothers and daughters, she named it Steel Magnolias, Inc.

More than 60 rare, vintage and luxury automobiles, some worth more than $1 million, will be on display side-by-side with static-displays of the latest equipment Fort Bragg Soldiers use throughout the world on Friday from 1 to 3 p.m., on the Main Post Parade Grounds.

With the recent terrorist attack in Boston, people have been brutality reminded about the very real threat of terrorism. Unfortunately, terror hits when least expected. Hence, Fort Bragg reiterates the importance of anti-terrorism with their iWatch program and reporting anything that may be suspicious to the 90-REACT hotline.

Community connections, a little push and some incentive can sometimes reap great rewards.

BETHESDA, Md. — Like most people learning to ski, Travis Mills had a few falls at Breckenridge, Colo. “I hit pretty good, you know. I’m not going to lie,” Mills said of his December experience on the slopes. “There were some times where I went, ‘Ooh, that’s a rib.’ But you get back up.”

“First, I heard a pop,” said Capt. Francisco Hernandez, a Civil Affairs team leader with 98th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne). “Then heat, concussion wave, all at one time. There’s no sound, other than a buzzing, a ringing in your ear.”

A “Five-Jump Chump” is a term often used when a paratrooper only performs the required five jumps during the U.S. Airborne School and does not participate in any airborne operation after graduation.   

Servicemembers who do not properly address envelopes are in jeopardy of not having their mail delivered or of not receiving mail.

The 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade cased their colors Friday in a ceremony on Fort Bragg in preparation for their nine-month deployment to Kosovo scheduled for next week. 

While bikes are allowed on Fort Bragg roads, they are off limits on Fort Bragg ranges.

Nearly 200 people turned out for an Army Force Structure and Stationing Listening Session, Monday at the Richard M. Wiggins Conference Center in Fayetteville.

Some of the communities that surround military installations have unscrupulous businesses where the proprietor’s intention is to take advantage of military patrons in ways that are highly unethical.

Col. Jeffrey Sanborn, the Fort Bragg Garrison commander, answered questions from the community about sequestration and budget cuts during a Facebook town hall meeting, April 16.

Twenty-two years of service has afforded plenty of opportunities for Sgt. 1st Class Josalette Simmons, XVIII Airborne Corps sexual harassment/assault response and prevention noncommissioned officer in charge, to give back to her fellow Soldiers. 

About 82 percent of the Army’s major units are now meeting the Defense Department’s Medical Evaluation Board goal of processing Soldiers’ disability evaluations within 100 days, significantly reducing a backlog that sometimes took eight months or longer in recent years.

Fort Bragg schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Marsh announced on the school district’s website April 12 that the potential for furloughs for Department of Defense employees will not affect the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year.

Womack Army Medical Center has undertaken an enormous renovation to reorganize about 79,000 square feet of space to its existing footprint.

In the 20 years since William McMillian first arrived at Fort Bragg to stand up the Transition Services program, now known as Army Career and Alumni Program, it has undergone various changes and improvements.

On March 10, 1865, Confederate cavalry overran an unguarded Union encampment that was located in what is now western Fort Bragg.

As the population of Fort Bragg continues to grow and more employees settle into Moore and Hoke counties, commuters have seen a noticeable increase in the traffic flow along Chicken and Plank roads on the Fort Bragg reservation.

In early March, I provided information to you about the pending changes and reduced services on Fort Bragg as a result of the fiscal uncertainty of sequestration effects.  While the Department of Defense is experiencing a $46 billion budget shortfall, here at Fort Bragg we expect a $400 million annual impact to our local economy; a $210 million increase since our March forecast.

Last year, the Army’s suicide rate peaked to astronomical levels, as the service reported more than 320 suicides. The increase in the number of reported suicides set off various alarms with the Army’s senior leadership, and prompted the service to take a closer look at its suicide prevention program.

On Feb. 21, Sgt. Luis X. Herrera, a licensed practical nurse with Company C, Womack Army Medical Center, XVII Airborne Corp, received an Army Commendation Medal for saving the life of a 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper.

Lines of vehicles travel along a main road on Fort Bragg just after Soldiers are released from physical training. As they pass the illuminated safety sign flashing the message ‘Troopers don’t plan to fail, they just fail to plan,’ they notice the heap of twisted metal and shattered glass at its base — the battered remains of a silver sedan.

Fort Bragg began implementing mental health records checks for its Child, Youth and School Services employees, volunteers, Family child care providers and Family members in January. CYSS is also in the process of going back and checking the mental health records of current CYSS employees, volunteers, FCC providers and Families.

Concierge service, free high-speed Internet service, complimentary breakfast and other amenities will soon be available at a Fort Bragg lodging facility near you.

Ever needed help and didn’t know where or how to get it? If so, the Directorate of Plans, Analysis and Integration Office and Army Community Service have set up a one-stop system that offers help to servicemembers, their Families and civilians in their search for resources that are available to them.

In a sea of sleep systems and uniforms is a woman who has dedicated a decade to the U.S. Army and the Soldiers of Fort Bragg. Surrounded by crowds of Soldiers whom she proudly takes care of daily, for her it’s just another day at the office and she makes what some consider a painful process a seamless one.

Doctorate students attending the security studies program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a two-day visit to Fort Bragg, March 25 and 26, visiting the three major commands on post.



Special tactics operators from across Pope Field, took part in a six-mile walk around the flightline carrying a log dedicated to a fallen comrade, March 15.  

The Fort Bragg Tax Center will close its doors for the 2012/2013 filing season on April 26 at 5 p.m. The tax center will remain open until midnight on April 15 to accommodate last-minute filers. After April 15, the tax center will operate on a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday schedule.

Fourteen Army Rangers representing Fort Bragg units, will compete in the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 12 through 15.

Aviators from 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade received 81 individual awards and a unit plaque from Bell Helicopter at the brigade headquarters, March 28.

Whether you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol or substance abuse, there is help out there no matter how big or small the problem.