Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Jackson is located within the city limits of Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital, in the central portion of the state. Established in 1917 as Camp Jackson and named for President Andrew Jackson, the installation grew to become the largest Army initial entry training (IET) installation in the United States. Today Fort Jackson trains approximately 50 percent of all soldiers who enter the U.S. Army, making it the Army’s primary Basic Combat Training (BCT) installation.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Provide Initial Entry Training for enlisted soldiers, training approximately half of all soldiers entering the Army annually.
• Major Units: U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson; 193rd Infantry Brigade; 165th Infantry Brigade; Drill Sergeant School
• Tenant Units: Recruiting and Retention School; Army Chaplain Center and School; Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School (JAGCLCS, shares with the Charlottesville VA campus); 3rd Chemical Brigade; Finance Command elements

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Columbia, SC — installation is within city limits
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) — approximately 15 miles west
• Gate Access: Multiple access control points with 24-hour operations. Valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required. Family members visiting trainees during BCT graduation and family days follow a specific visitor process coordinated through trainee units; visitor passes issued at the Visitor Control Center on Strom Thurmond Boulevard and other entry points.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 8,000-10,000 permanent party (with up to 50,000 trainees cycling through annually)
• Family Members: Approximately 12,000-16,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 8,000-10,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 36,000 (permanent party and families; not including trainees in cycle)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Moncrief Army Health Clinic — provides comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and specialty referrals; inpatient care referred to Prisma Health Richland or other Columbia area hospitals
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main exchange with food court and multiple retail outlets; also serves the large trainee population
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf course (Wildcat Golf Course); bowling alley; movie theater; youth sports; outdoor recreation; USO facilities
• Schools: DoDEA schools on post include: Darby Elementary, McCrady Elementary, and Strom Thurmond High School; Richland County School Districts 1 and 2 serve many military children as well
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; School Age Services available; waitlists are common; early enrollment upon receipt of orders is essential
• Veterinary Services: Fort Jackson Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides preventive care, vaccinations, wellness exams, and dental care for privately owned pets of eligible beneficiaries; appointments required
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Jackson — legal assistance available by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney and some walk-in hours available; located on post near the headquarters area

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; multiple neighborhoods with a mix of single-family and townhome units; generally well-maintained
• Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and bedroom size; can range from immediate availability to several months for larger units; junior enlisted families may have longer waits
• Off-Post Housing: Columbia and surrounding communities (Lexington, Irmo, Blythewood, Elgin, Camden) offer extensive and affordable housing options. Average rent ranges from approximately $1,100-$1,900/month for 2-3 bedroom homes depending on location and quality.
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request sponsor through gaining unit S1 or school upon receipt of orders; drill sergeant units and schoolhouse cadre units maintain active sponsorship programs.
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center on first available duty day. In-processing covers finance, medical, housing, and unit reporting; the high training throughput makes in-processing well-organized and typically takes 3-5 duty days.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service EFMP office on post; Columbia is a state capital with strong medical and educational resources for special needs families; enrollment required before PCS; contact ACS for local provider lists and Tricare referral guidance.

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and humid with temperatures in the 90s°F; winters are mild with occasional cold snaps and rare snow or ice; spring and fall are generally pleasant.
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate — Columbia, SC is consistently ranked as one of the more affordable mid-sized cities in the United States; housing, food, and services are well below national average.
• Nearby Attractions: Lake Murray — recreational lake approximately 20 miles west with boating, fishing, and beaches; Congaree National Park — old-growth bottomland forest approximately 20 miles southeast; Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia; Charleston, SC — approximately 2 hours southeast; Myrtle Beach — approximately 2 hours southeast.
• Spouse Employment: Columbia offers good employment opportunities as a state capital; major sectors include state government, University of South Carolina, healthcare (Prisma Health, MUSC), education, and military support industries. Military spouse employment resources are available through ACS.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/jackson/
• Main Installation Phone: (803) 751-7511
• MWR Website: https://fortjackson.armymwr.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Jackson — (803) 751-5633; located in the Family and MWR building on post

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (home.army.mil/jackson), U.S. Army Training Center Fort Jackson Public Affairs, Army Community Service Fort Jackson