Secretary of Defense Hegseth visits Fort Bragg, announces pay raise for paratroopers

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is back in Washington, D.C., after a visit with servicemembers in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg Thursday for All American Week.

While speaking to the troops, Hegseth touched on the renaming of Fort Bragg--and made a special announcement for paratroopers. Hegseth appealed to servicemembers by referencing his own time as an army major in the 101st Airborne Division during his speech. He was addressing a massive formation of paratroopers that represented the 17,000 paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division.

"When I look out at these, this formation, the eyes of the men and women and these flags, I see the eyes of deterrence. I see the eyes of American strength. I see the eyes that will deter the wars that we don't want to fight..." Hegseth said.

The secretary spoke to a large crowd of service members, vets and other community members for All American Week on Thursday. He opened his speech touching on the renaming of Fort Bragg--a reversal from the name "Fort Liberty."

"There's nothing wrong with 'Liberty.' Give me liberty or give me death. But give me Fort Bragg every day of the week."

Hegseth also said the Department of Defense would be increasing jump pay for paratroopers from $150 a month to $200--with an extra bump for jump masters at $150 a month.
It's part of what he says are incoming investments into the military.

"We're also going to rebuild our military. President Trump is committed to historic investments inside our formations. Our promise to you is that when the 82nd Airborne is deployed, if we have to call 911 for America's response force, you will be equipped better than any other fighting force in the world. You should never enter and will never enter under President Trump's watch a fair fight. That's my promise to you."

The ceremony also included a procession of soldiers and veterans of the 82nd Airborne, as well as presentations with flying helicopters and artillery. The annual tradition of All American Week celebrates the history and readiness of the 82nd Airborne Division here at Fort Bragg.

Hegseth also visited the Army Special Operations Units and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.