OnBase: Fort Bragg
Bridging The Cultural GapBy Billy J. Buckner
Winter 2004-05
Imagine not being able to read a welcome packet or to ask for directions to your new quarters or to simply call a doctor about a medical problem.
For most of us, these tasks are simple, but for the many foreign-born family members at Fort Bragg, NC, it could be a time of seemingly endless frustration. These family members are new to the military family and learning a new culture in a strange place - all at the same time.
To help bridge this cultural gap, Army Community Services at Fort Bragg has established the Multicultural Readiness Program. A recent Awards Achievement Program ceremony honored women from Colombia, El Salvador, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Russia and South Korea.
Program manager Maria Meloro underscored its importance to the Fort Bragg and Army communities with this overview: "The MRP goal is to integrate foreign-born spouses into the community by making them more aware of social and recreational programs, information and referral services, and volunteer and cultural awareness training opportunities while they deal with the challenges of relocation, mobilization and deployment. Additionally, spouses learn key coping skills and have access to essential resources and support systems needed to deal with the challenges and changing roles required by their military lifestyle."
According to a 2003 U.S. Census report, this country's minority population is projected to rise to 43.6 percent by 2020 - an 8.3 percent increase from current figures. Since the military is a reflection of society, minority soldier representation in the military is expected to continue to increase, adding thousands of foreign-born family members to the armed forces family as well.
Patricia Hester, who hails from Colombia, arrived at Fort Bragg early this year. Although she visited the United States two years earlier, Hester spoke little English. Undaunted, she successfully tackled the ACS English as a Second Language program at Fort Bragg and quickly adjusted to life in the U.S.
Hester is an engineer in her country who recommends other wives attend the course. "I think the program is very special and is important for the wife and soldier. It's hard when the family comes from another country," Hester said. "We learn all the time."
Juang Stewart, from Korea, has lived at Fort Bragg for more than three years. Since enrolling in the program, Stewart has completed the parenting class, financial makeover and Army Family Team Building courses.
Though Juang said she could not understand all the information presented in the classes, she maintained, "The program helped me to meet people and improved my English." Juang first learned to speak English while in school in Korea and then completed the English as a Second Language course while stationed in Missouri.
The program begins with a comprehensive needs assessment. A MRP counselor assesses the individual needs of each family member and then develops an independent plan that fits those needs. The family members are then placed in various ACS and community programs, and progress is tracked by MRP to ensure specific needs are met and that programs are customized for their particular language needs.
Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, encouraged program participants to continue their hard work in pursuing their goals and to share their cultural diversity with pride. "We can be proud that the cooperation and collaboration of our many diverse people has created one unified and one powerful nation with the resolve to undertake and prevail against any group or nation that would seek to undermine our values and our way of life," he said.
Meloro noted that the program strives to minimize cultural and language barriers while enhancing the quality of life during the demands of military relocation, deployment and mobilization. "There is much work to be done," she added. "The program just began, and there is still a great deal to be accomplished."
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Col. Billy J. Buckner is public affairs officer, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
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Fort Bragg At A Glance
More than 100,000 parachute jumps are completed each year at Fort Bragg. Little wonder, since America's largest Army installation is home to the XVIII Airborne Corps, which commands four of the U.S. Army's 10 active duty divisions. Just one of those divisions actually resides at the base: the famed 82nd Airborne Division. The U.S. Special Operations Command and the U.S. Army Parachute Team (the Golden Knights) also call Fort Bragg home.
About 43,000 military and 8,000 civilian personnel work on post. Every day, military and civilian employees in careers ranging from trades and labor to engineers and attorneys provide the services needed to train, sustain and deploy America's strategic response forces.
Fort Bragg was stung by negative publicity in 2002 from a series of domestic homicides - in response, the Army began a program to help soldiers readjust after overseas deployment and combat - and, more recently, from reports of child abuse. By most accounts, however, it is a friendly, close-knit community.
Housing: Existing family housing on base consists mostly of two-bedroom homes erected during the 1950s. Picerne Military Housing recently assumed responsibility for family housing and has launched a decade-long plan to develop and operate 5,580 new or renovated homes on base.
Cost of Living: Prices for off-post housing and other comforts in rural east North Carolina generally are lower than the national average.
Spouse Employment: There's lots of competition for only a few jobs. The Workforce Development Center (910-321-6430) offers training, job search assistance, career counseling and support services including child care.
Schools: Bragg schools are considered superior to those in nearby Fayetteville and other areas - a major incentive to live on base. Uniforms are required for grades 5-9.
Adult Education: A dozen colleges and universities offer classes on base. A few educational opportunities exist in the surrounding community. The Army Education Center (910-396-6721) can answer questions. For more information about the Multicultural Readiness Program, call 910-396-6120.
Off Base: Wilmington beaches are a two-hour drive; the nightlife of Myrtle Beach is just a bit farther. Hunting and fishing are plentiful within a few miles. The mountains are about five hours west.
Website: Fort Bragg
--Carl Surran
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