Fort Jackson Cantonment (Columbia, South Carolina)

 military, fortification, infantry, training center

Fort Jackson

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, Fort Jackson is experiencing an 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. 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 increased the number of Basic Trainees trained, up from approximately 36,000 to around 41,000. The fort encompasses more than 52,300 acres of land, of which approximately 46,000 acres are wildlife area. Fort Jackson had nearly 15,000 military personnel and 4,000 civilian employees as of Sept. 30, 2001. Fort Jackson spends more than $600 million a year on salaries, goods and services, much of that in Columbia. Pay and allowances during fiscal year 2001 totaled $441.4 million, including $98.4 million to civilians. The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce estimates Fort Jackson's economic impact on South Carolina at more than $1.2 billion, mostly in the Midlands

Order of Battle

157th Inf. Bgde.
165th Inf. Bgde.
171st Inf. Bgde.
193rd. Inf. Bgde.

Associated institutions and facilities
Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Chaplain Center & Sc hool
Drill Sergeant School
Pre-Command Course
Soldier Support Institute
Adjutant General School
Finance School
NCO Academy
Recruiting and Retention School
Hospital
Army Reserve Southeast Regional Readiness Command

5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd #1011, Columbia
803-751-7511

www.jackson.army.mil:80/
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