Region Gears Up for Expansion

Sunday, July 4, 2010

The deputy head of the largest Army command delivered a forecast and a farewell in Pinehurst last week.

Lt. Gen. Joseph Peterson will retire in August and return to his native island of Oahu - the first three-star general officer in American history of native Hawaiian descent.

He spoke to more than 100 community leaders at a Pinehurst Member's Club luncheon Wednesday sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Moore County. U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) commands 80 percent of the U.S. Army, controlling 21 military installations and more than three-quarters of a million soldiers.

That command is moving to Fort Bragg as part of the military's Base Relocation and Closure move, known as BRAC. Peterson and FORSCOM's civilian program manager for BRAC came to deliver a "State of the BRAC" report about what the county can expect over the course of the next 14 months.

"What I want to do is put this in perspective on what FORSCOM does," Peterson said. "We man, train, equip, mobilize, support, sustain, transform and reconstitute forces. Forces Command, to put this in perspective for you, is right now 80 percent of our Army. Literally, the majority of the forces currently deployed across the world today come out of Forces Command. That is the headquarters that you have moving to Fort Bragg, North Carolina."

A September 2011 deadline looms, and FORSCOM must design and build its new headquarters, make arrangements for temporary facilities, help with construction of new base housing and other matters related to the move without missing a step in its primary mission: waging war on many fronts.

The move will have to take place "serially," Peterson said. Some 2,800 people are coming to Bragg, with the first due to arrive this fall. FORSCOM is currently based in Georgia, at Fort McPherson.

The presentation included a projected image of its new headquarters, currently under construction. It is expected to be finished a year from now, which means it won't be ready until a few months before the complete shift deadline.

An old elementary schoolhouse, the Bowley School, a building previously used for auto repair called "the Firestone" and warehouses will have to be used temporarily for the transition. About 450 people will be working out of the old school by October. The rest of the military personnel and regular civilian employees will come in six monthly "serial" moves.

That means 1,200 military members (average pay $93,000 a year) and 1,300 civilian workers (averaging $79,000 annually) are moving to the Fayetteville/Southern Pines/Pinehurst/Carthage area.

"This will be the biggest base in the Army, with a yearly impact on the area of $9.3 billion," Peterson said. "FORSCOM commands between 803,000 and 830,000, with 179,000 deployed across 210 countries. It includes both the 18th Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division."

This move must take place while the wars go on with troops moving in and out of places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Studies show it takes two years back home for a soldier to be ready for another year in battle, Peterson said.

"Right now, we have that up to 16 months," the general said. "We are working on 24."

The United States has 56,000 soldiers in Afghanistan now, with 60,000 projected over the next year, he said.

"The Army has three major objectives," Peterson said. "Preparing forces on compressed timelines for repetitive and extended deployments, preserve the all-volunteer Army and be ready for the complex strategic environment of the 21st century."

Attacks on coalition forces in Iraq are down, dropping from 900 per week in 2007 to 50 per week currently, he said. Last fall the civilian death toll reached its lowest level since the 2003 invasion. U.S. troops left Iraqi cities last summer, and Iraqi security forces continue to improve.

The sand is dropping in the Iraq drawdown clock, Peterson said, illustrating his points with projected charts. By next summer, the U.S. is set to begin force reduction in Afghanistan, but much will depend on the risk assessment at that time. The Army is moving from "demand driven" to "supply based" with BRAC at the head of a chain of events paralleling things like midterm elections and looking toward the 2012 presidential election, reassessment of national strategy and a new Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq by 2012.

"It is a delicate balance," Peterson said. "A delicate balance."

Contact John Chappell by e-mail at jfchappell@thepilot.com.

More like this story

TooHot 2 years, 10 months ago

Not sure why everyone in this area thinks these folks feel like commuting 35 - 45 miles each way to work when Fayetteville has many nice communities around Bragg and some good private schools. But I guess people can fool themselves into thinking otherwise (like Realtors round here.)

dustyrhoades 2 years, 10 months ago

Not sure why either, toohot, but I've known quite a few military families who've done so. Maybe they like it here?

coffecreme 2 years, 10 months ago

They like it.... they reallllly like it! lol

gally 2 years, 10 months ago

TooHot, have you ever lived in Cumberland County? We are a military family and had lived there for several years. The drive from here to Bragg is not much more in miles and often less in time than commuting from Fayetteville. It's lovely in Moore County and less congested. That's why we live here...

SoPines4ever 2 years, 10 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Bflat 2 years, 10 months ago

So, who wants the next fire hyrdrant delivered while you are not at home, tearing up the front of your property and then leaving a big mess behind? Surely, you would want to welcome a new neighbor into the community and not be too quick to pass judgment. I'd want to make friends with all my neighbors that I haven't met, especially with someone who is and has served this country and that has wisely chosen a wonderful place to live. Apparently Greenblat cares enough about how the front of his property looks. With that in mind, he'll make a good neighbor. I know where someone has an old refrigerator by their front steps for 2 weeks now, and it's a good thing it's not in Pinehurst!

And to get back on topic, our area is a nice place to live and is attractive to many military families and also retired military. Many do prefer it to Cumberland County or Fayetteville. The commute is not bad at all. Those moving to the area will find everything they need here in the way of shopping, services, restaurants, cultural, educational and a variety of things to do. For those of us that have lived here all our lives or the majority of our lives, we do know that there is no other place quite like Moore County. Sure it has changed in the last 40 years but it is still a wonderful place to live. Let's keep it that way.

Mark106 2 years, 10 months ago

If Cumberland county is sooo pleasant, maybe you should do like Raleigh and bus YOUR kids over to EE Smith and have their kids bussed here for school. I am assuming TooHot is being sarcastic in the first post. I moved here to get my child out of their school system and I can get to work faster than I did dealing with their traffic.

CC85 2 years, 10 months ago

This not a new concept, military personnel living in the Southern Pines area and commuting to Fayetteville has been going on for over 30 years.

SoPines4ever 2 years, 10 months ago

I'm certainly not against the military as you suggest Chief, I'm against arrogance and all that display it. Arrogance is not unique to some of the military personnel, but it is abundant in this area.

lachm 2 years, 10 months ago

God Bless America. God Bless our troops.
As a resident of Pinehurst, I’d like to welcome all our troops and their families.

TheNeedle 2 years, 10 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

SoPines4ever 2 years, 10 months ago

A village of Pinehurst agency chief didn't have any thing to do with the installation of the fire hydrant, Moore County Public Utilities installed the hydrant. Maybe some ire should be directed at their worthess leader, Cary McSwain, but not at Pinehurst and its employees. Regardless, Moore County can do without the arrogance displayed by Scott in previous posts. He certainly did a disservice to the uniform of the United States military with such a display. I wonder what his superiors would have to say about his arrogant attitude?

SoPines4ever 2 years, 10 months ago

Chief you apparently are in the military or at least were, what do you think Greenblatt's superiors would think of the arrogance he displayed in his post? I remember when officers were respected for their actions, these actions don't deserve respect.

TheNeedle 2 years, 10 months ago

"He might have shown some arrogance in his post and there was no need for him to use his military rank."

This was my point.

""Arrogance is not unique to some of the military personnel, but it is abundant in this area'. You constantly lump all military members to this one story."

The first sentence does not support the second.

"Your comments are disjointed and wander."

Other people don't seem to have any problem comprehending them. Perhaps the problem is you?

TheNeedle 2 years, 10 months ago

I am completely baffled as to why my post above was removed.

Bflat 2 years, 10 months ago

Since the VOP does maintain the street right of way, then it was definitely something Greenblatt needed to talk to Andy about. From there I'm sure he learned that the county installed the hydrant. Also, he would want to be treated like any other resident property owner (taxpayer) and not because of his rank in military service. In fact, if you ever get to know him , he would be quick to tell you that. His military service is a non-issue as far as the problem with the right of way is concerned. "The Pilot" chose to include his rank and then some people turned little bits and pieces into some kind of arrogance. We need more people in our area that are willing to speak up when a problem arises. Only then will progress be made to keep our area a great place in which to live.

Again, it was "The Pilot" that included his military rank in the article. Some posts do seem to show arrogance toward our military instead of the other way around, and we should all be more respectful to those that have served. And yes, there are plenty in my family that have served in various wars and some just served.

Ross 2 years, 10 months ago

SoPines4ever - you need to stop drinking that vinegar and increase your intake of sugar dramatically. That "anorexia" can come back anytime!

Ross 2 years, 10 months ago

I have to admit the ease at which focus on the subject can be lost here. The article was to highlight the upcoming military expansion and with one silly post the entire flow changes.

TheNeedle 2 years, 10 months ago

". "The Pilot" chose to include his rank and then some people turned little bits and pieces into some kind of arrogance. "

Actually, what "some people" found arrogant was this statement from Major Greenblatt himself:

""Expect no sympathy from LB67, native, Poundman, jr27356, Ross, greentara13, Drazil65, sopinesnative, fuzzymuffin, JER, bandi69, Hank, camesh and lastly, joecommon as it is my estimate that they live in the un-incorperated areas of Moore County and could not understand the concept of the pride a Pinehurst homeowner takes in their property, it's appearance or the personal expense a homeowner chooses to burden them selves with to beautify their home and neighborhood."

People who don't live in Pinehurst and who do take pride in their property saw that as arrogant, and for good reason.

Being in the military is no excuse for that degree of condescension, and people told him so.

LB67 2 years, 10 months ago

I don't know about anyone else but the Major also sent me a personal message through The Pilot calling me a nasty name, he is arrogant. We are a Military family and I certainly would not want him living anywhere close to me now for the topic of this article If Moore county is getting all excited about the possibility of more growth because of brac, they need to get busy building more schools and places to shop instead of just opening restraunts and hotels

ohreally 2 years, 10 months ago

The BRAC realignment should help our local economy. Think about the families and support staff that will come with them. "An area impact of 9.3 billion", if that number is accurate, wow!

OBXNC 2 years, 10 months ago

OBXNC - Thanks to all the military families that are in Moore Co. and we can only be blessed if more of them move here. You will meet no finer families for a community to have in it's schools, organizations and churches etc. There is alot of property in this county for the taste of any family, or person deciding to make this their home. Take the time to enjoy the great county and all it has to offer instead of getting hung up on things that won't be "news" tommorrow.

Comments No Longer Accepted