Every day across the country, people move house for a variety of reasons. Your reason for moving may be that you want to experience a different part of the country or because you want to live closer (or further!) from family members. Your might also be moving for professional reasons, such as enrollment in a graduate training program or because you got a job offer in a different state. On occasion, you may find yourself moving without a choice. Find out how to cope by considering the experience of army families faced with that same situation.
The BRAC effect: Moving due to base closure
What happens when your employer is reorganizing and your job is moved to a new city? Or, in the case of thousands of army families, what happens when your base operations are reorganized and you’re told to move across the country?
Such is the case for thousands of families from the 7th Special Forces Group who have been asked to relocate from Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina to Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle.
This huge effort to move military families is part of BRAC, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission responsible for reorganizing the military. BRAC is part of an integration effort meant to bridge the distance felt on home turf between armed service divisions. The goal of BRAC is to trim excess infrastructure with the purpose of streamlining the Army and ultimately saving taxpayers money.
Though most military families relocate every few years, the case is different for Fort Bragg families. When soldiers are part of the Special Forces division they tend to remain tied to the same base as long as the soldier is tied to the Special Forces. In fact, the 7th Special Forces Group has been based out of Fort Bragg since 1960. Because of this longevity, many Fort Bragg families have deep ties to the community.
Make your move bearable by looking forward to new things
When faced with a move that wasn’t your idea, always start by learning as much as you can about the new place you’ll be living. Do a little research to uncover what makes that new place interesting. Look for features unique to the new area that will either provide you with new things to do or will bring you new pleasures.
For example, moving from the plains to a mountainous region will mean you a whole new slew of outdoor activities you can take part in, from hiking to skiing. Moving to a different cultural area may afford you the opportunity to enjoy new types of cuisine, such as Creole cooking if you’re moving to Louisiana or green chili spices if you’re moving to New Mexico.
In the case of Fort Bragg families, they’ll be relocating over 600 miles southwest. The cultural differences between North Carolina and Florida include distinct cuisine, demographics, and even local jargon.
Examine your priorities
Any move from the place you call home can be challenging, but it’s also important to consider your priorities.
If you’ve got school-aged children then you’ll likely be concerned with their transition to a new school district. If you have pets, you may need to think about illnesses more common in one region than another. If anyone in your family requires special medical care, you’ll want to consider access to medical professionals in your new hometown.
By looking early on into the changes you’ll have to make based on your family priorities, you’ll be able to eliminate a lot of stress that can surface in the midst of a move.
On the other end: Prepare for a welcome
Being on the other end of a forced move may also require you to make some changes – and many could be positive. For starters, receiving new people into your community instead of relocating yourself could mean new opportunities for yourself and your family. This is especially true if those moving into your community bring with them unique traditions or skills.
If you’re on the receiving end of a move, take the time to prepare for the newcomers. Communities surrounding Eglin Air Force Base have been preparing for the new families for over a year. In fact, the Chamber of Commerce is even considering expanding local roadways to accommodate the approaching population boom.
An open mind beats all
Regardless of the type of integration you’ll be experiencing, from uniting armed service divisions to merging divisions of a company, look for opportunities in the transition. Once you’re through the initial transition, you may find that you’re better suited to your new home town. Be sure to keep an open mind and embrace the experience. Doing so is sure to make your move more bearable.
