Located in the center of the state of South Carolina, Fort Jackson is the largest and most active Initial Entry center in the United States Army, providing training to about 25% of the men and women who enter the service each year. Unlike some other posts that are being closed or scaled back in accordance with defense cutbacks, For Jackson is experiencing and upsurge in growth.
In addition to providing Initial Entry Training, Fort Jackson has now become a significant site of professional development for soldiers. With the closure of Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, Ft. Jackson gained a number of professional development schools for the Soldier Support Institute (SSI), located at Hampton Parkway and Lee Road. The Institute includes the U.S. Army Adjutant General School, Finance School, Recruiting and Retention School, the Institute's NonCommissioned Officers Academy , and the Training Support Battalion. The SSI completed its move to Fort Jackson as part of the Army's restructuring mission. It is now an integral part of the Fort Jackson military community.
Also, the Army Chaplain School now is at Fort Jackson and the DOD Polygraph Institute now calls Fort Jackson home.
Fort Jackson, a community made up of soldiers, civilian employees, retirees and family members, was incorporated into the City of Columbia in October, 1968. The installation instructs an average of 55,000 to 65, 000 soldiers each year including Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training and all professional schools. In addition, the post offers support to military retirees and their families.
In the year 2001, the post will increase the number of Basic Trainees trained..up from approximately 36,000 to around 41,000. The increase could bring 200 more full-time soldiers to assist in Basic Training, but it is unclear whether the Army will authorize this increase in full-time soldiers.
The fort encompasses more than 52,300 acres of land, of which approximately 46,000 acres are wildlife area.
The history of Fort Jackson began on June 2, 1917. A new Army training center was established to answer America's call for trained fighting men in the early days of World War I. The initial site of the cantonment area consisted of almost 1200 acres. It was purchased by the citizens of Columbia, then donated to the federal government - a way for Columbians to show support for President Woodrow Wilson, who had lived here in Columbia during his boyhood days. This initiated the long tradition of respect, cooperation and friendship between the city and the installation.
Fort Jackson was named in honor of Major General Andrew Jackson, a native son of South Carolina and seventh U.S. president.
The fort has a significant economic impact on the City of Columbia and Richland County. In turn, the community of Fort Jackson greatly contributes to the greater Columbia area in its charitable efforts. The post hosts the South Carolina Special Olympics each year, providing for over 1000 people for two nights.
Fort Jackson has 1,266 family housing units on post. There are three swimming pools. Andy's Fitness Center in the newly constructed Community Activity Center (CAC) has a complete line of the most modern equipment for physical fitness. The fort has three additional gymnasiums, two championship golf courses, lighted football and track fields, five lighted multicourts for tennis, volleyball and badminton, a state-of-the-art softball complex - - - and much more.
Eagerly anticipated are the soon to be opened Single Soldier Barracks (Spring 2000); and a brand new, large, modern PX (possibly in the Winter of 2000).
The current Commanding General of Fort Jackson is Major General Raymond D. Barrett, Jr., who took command in October, 1999. MG Barrett was commissioned from the University of Texas as an Infantry Officer in 1972. Company grade duty included assignments in the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson; the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; and Assistant Professor of Military Science, the University of Dayton. During his field grade years, he served in the 24th Infantry Division (Mech), Fort Stewart, first in the G3 and then as an Executive Officer for 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry. He then moved on to Fort Monroe where he was the Special Assistant to the Commanding General of TRADOC. He returned to Fort Stewart to command 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry, 24th Infantry (Mech), during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Later, he commanded 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. In the last several years, he has been assigned as Chief, 24th Infantry Division (Mech); and Deputy Director for Operations, United States Pacific Command. Most recently, MG Barrett has been the Assistant Division Commander for Support, 2nd Infantry Division.
MG Barrett's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Star, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Raymond and his personable wife, Joan, have one son, Connor, age seven.
Fort Jackson: Installation
Installation Overview
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Name : Tom Askey ACS Relocation & Referral Manager
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POC : same
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Address : ACS/DCA USATC&FJ 3392 Magruder Ave.
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City : Ft. Jackson
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State : SC
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Zip : 29207
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Phone : 803-751(DSN734)-4868
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Fax : 803-751(DSN734)-5524
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