Arrival

COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN AIRPORT (CAE)
If a person arrives in the area by plane, he or she will land at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, built in 1965 and continuously being upgraded. The airport is located eight miles from the heart of the city.

Transportation to and from the airport includes commercial buses, limousines and taxis. The airport's military assistance desk can provide informa-tion Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

REPORTING IN
All Soldiers, regardless of rank or grade, must report to the Fort Jackson Welcome Center during non-duty hours only, Monday through Friday, after 4 p.m. and all day on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. During duty hours, all permanent party Soldiers should report, in uniform, to the Strom Thurmond Soldier Service Center, at 5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd.

If you have approved Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY) from your losing unit, you must bring your DA-31 and a copy of your orders to the Housing Services Office (HSO) in the Strom Thurmond Building Room 241 on the day that your PTDY begins (or next duty day after a holiday or weekend). Failure to do so may result in the time being charged as ordinary leave. Once your leave form is reviewed and validated by the HSO, you will be authorized to use those ten days of non-chargeable leave to conduct your housing search. If you do not have approval from your losing unit to take PTDY, it can be requested from your gaining unit.

The Welcome Center is located at the Jackson Inn, 7550 Benning Road. A 24-hour operation, the Welcome Center is staffed and ready to serve all Soldiers and anyone needing information or directions on Fort Jackson. The Welcome Center can be reached at (803) 782-9802. For a reservation at Fort Jackson lodging, call toll free (800) 276-6884.

Soldiers requesting leave extensions should call Officer Management at 751-6606 or Enlisted Management at 751-4411, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. leave extensions must be coordinated through the Staff Duty Officer by calling 751-7611.

INBOUND HOUSEHOLD GOODS/ UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE
Incoming Soldiers should, at their first opportunity, contact the Transportation Office in the Strom Thurmond Building, Room 102, if they have unaccompanied baggage or household goods en route to Fort Jackson. In the event that property has not arrived here, Soldiers should provide a work and/or contact telephone number. This initial contact may save the Soldier considerable time in arranging for delivery. For more information about inbound household goods shipments, call (803) 751-7694/7695. Because of the high volume of calls received, contact information can be faxed to the "Inbound Section" at (803) 751-4437. Be sure to include the full name of sponsor and the area code with phone numbers.

OUTBOUND HOUSEHOLD GOODS/ UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE
Soldiers departing the installation for permanent change of station, retirement or separation should contact the Personal Property Branch at 751-5137/5138 to arrange an outbound counseling at least two to three weeks in advance of their anticipated move. A 30-day advance notice is required for the months of May through August due to the high volume of personnel relocating. This also applies to DA or DoDDS civilians departing on permanent change of station orders.

All personnel with permanent changes of station orders now have the option to arrange for the movement of their personal property online at http://www.move.mil. Call the office for more information.

If coming in for the group counseling, the member should bring two copies of his/her orders for each type of shipment to be made (HHG to destination, HHG to storage, baggage, etc.) and a completed questionnaire form. Questionnaire forms are available in advance in Room 102 of the Strom Thurmond Building, 5450 Strom Thurmond Blvd.

OUTBOUND TRAVEL SERVICES
Personnel Movements Branch, located in Building 4350 on Magruder Avenue is the place to visit for all official travel needs. Personnel Movements Branch arranges travel and issues airline tickets for TDY, PCS and ETS moves. This office also processes passport and visa applications daily from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Passport applications should be completed 12 weeks prior to expected departure date. Active duty personnel, who require a passport for their official travel, should apply immediately upon notification of official travel. Proper identification and orders are needed to arrange travel. Orders are not required to submit the passport applications, but customers should call prior to arriving at the office, to ensure they bring the required documents. All travel services are handled on a walk-in basis. Call 751-6053/7531. To make a TDY reservation, call 782-2966.

UNIFORM POLICY
The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) may be worn off post. Soldiers are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages in any off-post establishment while wearing ACUs. ACUs may not be worn at off-post sporting events, theaters or other public entertainment or other events. ACUs will not be worn off-post to social or official functions when it would be appropriate to wear the service uniform or civilian attire. ACU sleeves will be worn down at all times. Uniforms will be worn properly bloused, zipped and buttoned with sleeves worn down. Utility uniforms will be serviceable and present a clean appearance if worn off post.

The ACU patrol cap is the primary headgear. The black beret can still be worn at special events such as parades, graduations or change of com-mand/responsibility ceremonies.

DRIVER'S LICENSE
Military personnel and their family members are not required to obtain South Carolina driver's licenses or license plates as long as they have valid ones from other states. Expiration of a service member's driver's license varies according to its state of origin. Upon arrival in South Carolina, motorists should contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to determine the laws governing current licenses. If a person does not have a valid driver's license, he or she must pass a written examination and a road test ($2 test fee) within 90 days of arrival. The driver's license fee is $12.50. A learner's permit ($2.50 fee) may be issued at the age of 15 and an unrestricted license at the age of 16. One of the nearest DMVs to the post is located at 1630 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29202. Call (803) 737 8350 for further information or log onto http://www.scdmvonline.com.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Fort Jackson is a limited access installation. All vehicles must be registered with the installation. Authorized personnel (active duty/retired military, DoD civilians and contractors) can obtain a decal for their vehicle at 4394 Strom Thurmond Blvd., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Vehicle Registration shares the building with the Public Affairs Office, so make sure you use the correct entrance.) Registrants are required to show proof of insurance, vehicle registration, driver's license and military identification or proof of employment.

The installation motorcycle policy applies to all Soldiers at all times, civilians while on the installation, and all civilians operating a motorcycle off post on official military business. All motorcycle owners are required to successfully complete the approved Motorcycle Safety Foundations (MSF) course before registering their motorcycle on Fort Jackson. The course is provided by the Fort Jackson Safety Office at no cost to military personnel or DoD civilians, and personnel will not be charged leave to attend the course. All operators and passengers must wear the following personal protective equipment when operating a motorcycle:

Department
of Transportation approved helmet properly fastened; Soldiers must wear a helmet on and off post regardless of South Carolina State Law. Impact or shatter resistant goggles, wrap-around goggles, or full face shield (attached to helmet).
Long pants
Long sleeved shirt or jacket
Full-fingered gloves
Leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes
A brightly colored reflective safety vest during daylight conditions and a retro-reflective vest during hours of darkness. Vests will be clearly visible and not covered; a sash or belt does not satisfy this requirement.
Motorcycles must have two rear-view mirrors and have headlights turned on at all times.

South Carolina does not require a vehicle safety inspection sticker. However, personnel assigned permanently to Fort Jackson who have privately owned vehicles registered in a state that requires a state inspection must properly display a state inspection sticker on their vehicles.

ON-POST TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
Traffic violations are handled by the U.S. Magistrate Court. An offender may either pay the fine or go before a magistrate for resolution of the violation. Fines can exceed $1,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Assessment of traffic points usually accompanies traffic violations. In South Carolina, drivers may accumulate only 12 points.

The state has a compulsory seatbelt law, which also applies when driving on Fort Jackson. Additionally, children, 4 and under, traveling in a vehicle's front seat must be secured in restraining devices approved by the National Safety Products Council. Children, 5 and younger, traveling in the back seat must also be in a restraint. Children, 6 and older, who are traveling in the back seat, must wear seatbelts.

On Fort Jackson, the speed limit is 25 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. Right turns on red are permitted, and speed limits on post, the interstate and other highways are strictly enforced. Additionally, state law mandates that when windshield wipers are in use, headlights must also be turned on.

Fort Jackson Military Police enforce all traffic and on-post regulations.

In 2006, Fort Jackson implemented a policy (Fort Jackson Supplement 1 to Army Regulation 190-5) affecting the use of cell phones and other communication devices while operating a moving motor vehicle on post. Vehicle operators on Fort Jackson will not use mobile/cellular phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device. The wearing of any other portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices (except for hands-free cellular phones) while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited. Operators may use single-ear-piece hands-free phone devices, and motorcycle driver/passenger intercom devices while operating a motor vehicle on Fort Jackson.

Hands-free shall mean utilizing a mobile telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone. Passengers in moving motor vehicles are allowed to use cell phones, but to minimize distraction to the vehicle operator, are not allowed to use a speaker or other device that allows the conversation to be heard by the driver. Signs reflecting this policy are posted at all gates, major intersections on the installation and at Hilton Field entrances and exits to inform and remind drivers and passengers about this policy. Armed Forces traffic tickets will be issued to operators of vehicles who do not follow this policy. For more information, call the Fort Jackson PMO at 751-3030.

Parking is not allowed on grassy areas or in reserved parking spaces/lots on the installation. Parking is not allowed on sidewalks next to the barracks or billeting areas or in areas designated for loading or unloading.

Citations are given for vehicles playing loud music on post. Music should not be heard at a distance of more than 25 feet. Fort Jackson Supplement 1 to AR 190-5 requires all personnel riding bicycles on the installation to wear an approved bicycle safety helmet and follow safety guidelines.

There are many pedestrian crosswalks located around the installation. All vehicles must stop when approaching a crosswalk where a pedestrian is waiting to cross. Citations are issued for failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian and carry a $60 fine.

RUNNING ROUTES
Running routes are established on Fort Jackson for the safety of the Soldiers doing physical fitness training in the morning. Since the majority of Soldiers on Fort Jackson are in Basic Combat Training and not accustomed to running in traffic, orange cones mark the run routes.

Running routes are closed Monday through Saturday, 5:30 to 7 a.m. All PT Routes are closed Monday through Saturday. Moving a cone or driving through a coned barrier into a running route will result in a traffic fine and could lead to revocation of driving privileges on post. Running is prohibited on Marion Avenue in the morning hours except by Soldiers participating in group physical fitness training. Runners are prohibited from wearing headphones or earphones.

BICYCLE REGISTRATION/OPERATION
Bicycle registration is highly encouraged at the PMO/Force Protection Branch. Registration of bicycle serial numbers is a crime prevention method. In the event a bicycle is stolen, investigators will have a starting point. Bicycle operators/passengers must wear approved helmets. The wearing of headphones or earphones is prohibited by anyone operating a motor vehicle, moped, motorcycle or bicycle, or while a person is riding.

WEAPONS REGISTRATION
Personnel bringing privately owned weapons on the installation must register them with their unit commander/supervisor within five working days of assignment/ employment using FJ Form 190-11-100.

Transportation and Storage of Privately Owned Weapons
Fort Jackson Supplement 1 to AR 190-11 prohibits keeping privately owned weapons in vehicles, even when properly secured, while at work or while attending to other business on the installation not directly related to authorized shooting activities on the installation.

If transporting a privately owned weapon in a vehicle, it must be done in a manner prescribed by the federal law and must be properly secured by ensuring the weapon is unloaded and that the ammunition is secured in a separate container of the vehicle. Pistols must be secured in the trunk compartment, or if the vehicle does not have a trunk-type compartment, preferably in a separate locked container (such as a gun case) and not in reach of the driver. In addition, carrying concealed firearms on one's person except by military, state or federal law enforcement authorities in performance of their duties is prohibited.

PETS
Pet owners living on the installation must register their animals within five working days of their arrival. This should be done at the Fort Jackson Veterinary Clinic, Building 2445, Knight Avenue. To register a pet, proof of rabies immunization is required.

The Veterinary Treatment Facility provides limited medical care for pets, by appointment only. Such care includes immunizations, heartworm and intestinal parasite examinations, preventive medication, health certificate exams and sick-call evaluations.

The clinic can perform routine surgeries such as spaying, but it cannot board pets. Also, because it is a non-appropriated funds-supported facility that must support itself, fees are charged for all services and medications. Flea and tick products and other over-the-counter items are sold at the clinic. A $2 user's fee for each transaction is required.

Dogs and cats, three months and older, must be registered, and current rabies vaccinations are required. Dogs also must have current distemper, hepatitis, leptopirosis and parvo vaccinations, and must be on heartworm prevention. Cats must be vaccinated for distemper, feline leukemia and up-per-respiratory diseases.

All animals living on post must be micro-chipped. If this procedure is done off post, the microchip number must be reported to the VTF and filed in the animal's record. Cost of the procedure is $25.

If you plan to live off the installation and intend to use the Veterinary Clinic or specified areas of Fort Jackson for hunting, you also must register your animals at the clinic. Soldiers and their families living off post also need to review local ordinances regarding the supervision and upkeep of family pets. In Richland County, call the Department of Public Works Animal Control Office at 735-7322.

Stray animals on Fort Jackson are transported to the Columbia Humane Society located at 121 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209. The phone number is (803) 783-1267.

The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 751-7160 for an appointment. Over-the-counter sales are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Investigate before you invest. Those are wise words, particularly when you are new to an area. Before you sign a lease, buy a new car or purchase furniture for your new home, determine whether a company is reputable.

An easy way to do this is to contact the Better Business Bureau of the Midlands, which maintains lists of businesses which have unresolved consumer complaints or unfair business practices. The bureau also can help consumers resolve complaints with businesses. All services are free. The Better Busi-ness Bureau of the Midlands is located at 2330 Divine St. For more information, call (803) 254-2525. The website address is http://www.columbia.bbb.org.

HOUSING
Arriving at the Installation
All customers are required to in-process at the Housing Services Office before seeking off-post housing. Those who want to reside on-post will be referred to the Balfour Beatty Communities Office, located in Building 520, Brown Avenue.

On-Post Housing
Fort Jackson's permanent party on-post housing is divided into nine areas, seven for enlisted and two for officers' families. While all units are unfurnished, they are equipped with central heating and air conditioning, refrigerators and gas ranges. Many of the units have built-in dishwashers, and portable dishwashers are available for others upon request. Select homes also come with carpet in the bedrooms and wood-like flooring in common areas. In 2008, Family Housing was transferred to Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC), which is now responsible for managing on-post housing, construct-ing new homes, and renovating existing homes. Balfour Beatty Communities is also responsible for all landscaping within the on-post housing areas (with a few exceptions). Also, for the families living on-post, BBC' LifeWorks® Program hosts weekly events, free of charge.

Applying for On-Post Housing
Service Members interested in living on-post can begin the process as soon as they receive PCS Orders to Fort Jackson. Simply visit Balfour Beatty's website at http://www.ftjacksonfamilyhousing.com and click on "submit an application." You will be directed to a Yardi website where once you have chosen Fort Jackson, you can log on with your SSN and last name. Once the application has been submitted, a member of the Balfour Beatty Staff will contact you for further information needed to complete the application process and place you on the waitlist. If you have already arrived on post, you can simply visit the BBC Management Office, 520 Brown Ave. (within the family housing area) where you can fill out an application, provide your PCS Orders and meet with a Resident Specialist.

During this meeting, the Resident Specialist gathers information from the applicant such as size of Family and housing requirements and collects copies of the PCS Orders. Leave and Earning Statements, marriage certificates and copies of birth certificates may be required for verification of housing eligibility.

Applicants must apply for housing within 30 days of arrival to receive an eligibility date of the "date departed last permanent duty station" or they will be placed on a waiting list, effective the date of application. This date determines the application date on the housing waiting list.

There is never a security deposit or application fee at Balfour Beatty Communities and pets are welcomed at no additional fee or deposit, however, some breed restrictions do apply. Your rent at Balfour Beatty Communities includes utilities (except phone, cable and satellite), renter's insurance, landscaping, and curbside garbage and limited recycling pickup.

With customer service in mind, office hours are designed to accommodate the residents' needs for visiting the office and community center. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents can submit applications, check their status on the waiting list, receive move-in instructions, place service requests and discuss specific needs with the Management staff.

In the case of an emergency, personnel are available around the clock with an immediate response and resolution. Balfour Beatty Communities is committed to long-term solutions to maintenance problems, not just cosmetic fixes and wants to foster pride of ownership in homes and community by effectively maintaining physical appearance, cleanliness and state of repair surrounding landscapes. To speak with a Balfour Beatty Communities Management staff member, please call (803) 738-8275.

Off-Post Housing Referral
The Housing Services Office
The Housing Services Office (HSO) office is located in the Strom Thurmond Building, Room 241. The HSO is your first point of contact and will assist you in finding or locating housing off the installation. You are required to report to the HSO prior to making any arrangements for renting, leasing or purchasing any off-post housing. You must report to the HSO in order to validate Permissive TDY (PTDY) for house-hunting purposes. Failure to do so will result in the Soldier being charged leave for the entire leave period. DA Form 31 for PTDY must be approved by a lieutenant colonel or above.

The staff is ready to provide personal service and the most current rental information. If on-post housing is unavailable or you simply wish to reside off-post, the HSO staff will assist with locating suitable housing in the local community. Telephone numbers for HSO are (803) 751 7566/5788/5331.

Selecting a Home Off-Post
Select your home after considering the following:
Is the size adequate for your Family with the possibility of additions to your family?
Is the cost within your means and BAH?
Will the neighborhood be a safe, secure place for the growth and well-being of your family?
Does the location provide access to shopping centers, churches, schools and playgrounds for your family?
Is the distance of the home a reasonable commute for you and your family?
Once you have made your choice, read your lease carefully before signing. Make sure you are given a check-in inspection list and note the condition of the residence at the time of occupancy. If there are problems when you take possession, have them stated on the inspection list with the landlord's signature on your copy. Be sure to provide the HSO a copy of your lease agreement and inspection checklist for possible future reference.

Reviewing your check-in inspection list will come in handy when you are ready to move out. A representative from HSO can accompany you to the check-in and/or check-out inspection at your request. Once you plan to move out, have the landlord sign the list again. If this is not done, you are taking a risk of paying for previous existing damages when you leave. The HSO staff can provide you with other tips about smart leasing and insight on South Carolina housing laws.

Residential Lease Agreement
A written lease agreement is required for most residential leases. This agreement should outline the responsibilities and obligations of all parties and should constitute the entirety of the agreement. Before signing a lease agreement, make sure you understand everything written in the agreement. Signing the agreement is generally evidence of that party's intent to be bound and agree to all the terms within the agreement. The HSO or Legal Assistance Office can review the lease before you sign it upon your request.

Military Clause
Service members who enter into a lease should protect themselves by obtaining a lease or rental agreement that includes a Military Clause allowing termination in case of transfer, discharge or other circumstances making termination appropriate. The clause generally states that upon receipt of Permanent Change of Station Orders, Retirement Orders or release from active duty, the service member may terminate their lease agreement by providing the landlord a 30 day written notice of intention to terminate and a copy of the orders. The termination shall become effective 30 days after the specified date and the rent should be pro-rated accordingly.

Oral Representations
When you are shopping for a rental property you may receive oral representations from property managers in regard to many aspects of the property. Oral representations that conflict with written provisions in a lease are generally unenforceable. Oral evidence that modifies a written lease agreement is likewise generally inadmissible in court. The written lease agreement controls the obligations of the parties and is generally the enforceable agreement.

Landlord and Tenant Obligations
The written lease agreement will outline the obligations of both the landlord and tenant. However, according to South Carolina law, landlords and tenants have general obligations when leasing a rental property. Landlords have a general obligation to maintain premises. Landlords must comply with all applicable building codes, make repairs, keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition, and keep all common areas safe. A landlord may also be required to make running water, hot water and heat available as well as keep all electrical, gas, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and other facilities in working order if these obligations are not specified in the written agreement to be the tenant's obligations.

Tenants have a general obligation to comply with all building and housing codes, to keep the dwelling unit reasonably safe and clean, dispose of trash, keep all plumbing fixtures clean and use all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities in a reasonable manner. The tenant may also incur further obligations as outlined by the written lease agreement and state laws.

Rental Insurance
A service member should maintain rental insurance to protect personal possessions in case of neglect or wrongful damages to the property, personal items or a catastrophic disaster. The landlord is under no obligation to provide insurance coverage to or for the tenant; therefore it is important that the service member obtain insurance coverage to cover the rental property, furniture and other personal belongings.

Security Deposits
Security deposits are usually an up-front expense a tenant pays a landlord to secure interest in the leased property. Security deposits may also provide a means for a landlord to seek reimbursement for damage to the property or repair costs. Generally, a landlord has an obligation to maintain the premises and should not use the security deposit to pay for normal wear and tear of premises. According to South Carolina law, a landlord is required to provide the security deposit, less the amounts used for repairs and damages, along with an itemized list of expenses to a tenant no later than 30 days after termination of a written lease agreement. The tenant is required to provide the landlord with written notification of a forwarding address. If this provision is violated, a tenant may have a legal cause of action and may seek treble damages (three times the amount of damages) plus reasonable attorney's fees by statute.

Early Termination
A written lease agreement will usually contain the date of termination of the agreement. Parties may have the option of renewing the lease, usually with new terms or increased rent, by providing written notice. Most residential leases are for a one-year period, but may be longer or shorter. Termination of the lease before the termination date may give the aggrieved party a legal action for damages.

Damages are usually the monetary damages a landlord may incur for this early termination. Many leases also include early termination clauses and provisions that cover the procedures for terminating the lease early, often with some sort of penalty-fee provision and/or a liquidated damages clause designed to estimate the amount of monetary loss a party would suffer for this early termination. These clauses are often drafted to protect the landlord's interests and can make it difficult or costly for a tenant to terminate the lease early. This is usually to ensure that the tenant either performs the obligations they agreed to in the contract for the contract period or compensates the landlord for this early termination.

PERMANENT PARTY UNACCOMPANIED PERSONNEL HOUSING
Single Soldiers reside in the Freddie Stowers' Single Soldier Complex, located on Bragg Street. This complex is for housing of permanent party un-accompanied personnel who are E-5 and below. All single permanent party E-1s through E-5s entitled to BAH at the without dependent's rate are required to live in the Stowers' Complex unless granted advance approval by the Garrison Commander (GC). A request for approval must be prepared on a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action Form) with accompanying DA 4187 1 R and processed through the Soldier's entire chain of command. Once signed by the Soldier's Chain of Command, the request must be submitted to the Housing Director for processing. The GC is the only person who may authorize single Soldiers to live off post and receive BAH. The approval/disapproval from the GC will be returned through the chain of command. Pets and/or household goods are not considered justifications to reside off-post.

There are eight barracks buildings, all of which are designed in the one-plus-one style, and can house NCO's and Junior Enlisted Soldiers. This means that two Junior Enlisted Soldiers of the same gender each have a private bedroom but share a connecting kitchenette and bathroom. NCOs are given the entire suite, with one of the bedrooms set up as a living room.

All suites are furnished with a single bed, bedside table, lamp, chair, an entertainment center, small refrigerator and microwave. The rooms are pre-wired for cable and telephone, and services can be purchased from the local service providers. The community centers are equipped with a full-size kitchen, a television room with large screen TV, a game room with pool tables and a laundry room with washers and dryers. There are basketball courts in the common areas, as well as outdoor grills in the patio areas. Storage bins are located in the basement of the community centers for small items, and non-temporary storage of excess household goods is available through the Transportation Division.

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