Welcome

As Fort Jackson’s 45th Commanding General, I would like to welcome you to the largest and most active Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army, training 50 percent of all Soldiers entering the Army each year.

Our Vision at Fort Jackson is to be the preeminent training center in the Department of Defense (DoD), be the best duty station, post, community and unit in which its team members have ever served, maintain an environment in which everyone can take initiative, learn, grow, make honest mistakes, have fun and accomplish the mission,
and be an Army Community of Excellence (ACOE) award winner in 2014. Our priorities are Quality of Life, Training/Readiness, Professional Development and Responsible Stewardship. 

The United States Army Training Center’s (USATC) mission is to provide the Army with trained, disciplined, motivated and physically fit warriors who espouse the Army’s core values and are focused on teamwork. Accomplishing that mission means training more than 44,000 Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Soldiers every year.

We have other missions as well. Fort Jackson is home to the U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute (SSI), the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center and National Center for Credibility Assessment.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, civilians, retirees and family members make up Team Jackson, which continues to grow in both people and facilities. An additional 20,000 Soldiers annually attend courses at the Soldier Support Institute, Chaplain Center and School and Drill Sergeant School. More than 3,500 active-duty Soldiers and their family members are assigned to the installation and make this area their home.

We employ 3,500 civilians and provide services for more than 46,000 retirees. The fort spans more than 52,000 acres, and includes more than 73 ranges and field training sites and 1,100 buildings. Facilities completed or updated in recent years include the U.S. Army 81st Regional Support Command, the Army Drill Sergeant School, family housing,
a museum and the Veterans Administration National Cemetery.

Located in the heart of the Midlands region of South Carolina, Fort Jackson was incorporated into the city of Columbia in October 1968 and is midway between New York and Miami. Columbia is the only southeastern U.S. city which boasts direct access to three interstate highways: Interstate 20, Interstate 26 and Interstate 77, and indirect access to two additional interstates within 100 miles: Interstate 95 and Interstate 85. Average temperatures in the region range from a high of 92 degrees in July to a low of 34 in January. Annual rainfall averages around 48 inches.

The fort has a significant economic impact on the local area, contributing $2.6 billion to the local economy. In addition, more than 100,000 family members visit the Midlands area each year to attend basic training graduation activities, patronizing local hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.

Since 1917, when fighting men were needed during World War I, Fort Jackson has had a proud history of training Soldiers for America’s Army. The post’s initial site of 1,200 acres was purchased and donated to the federal government by the citizens of Columbia. This began a tradition of mutual respect and cooperation between the city and Fort Jackson.

I’m very proud of what we do here at Fort Jackson. While you’re here, I’d ask that you live the Army Values and Be: Positive, Competent, Disciplined, a Team Player, Good to People, of Good Character and a Risk Manager!  Again, welcome to Fort Jackson — Victory Starts Here!

— Bryan T. Roberts, 45th Commanding General