Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021.

One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS, or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.

We here at Mission:Milspouse want to take some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Embrace Your Base series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Fort Jackson is an Army installation, from which TRADOC operates for Basic Combat Training, located within the city limits of Columbia, South Carolina. It was named for United States Army General and seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, who was born on the border between North and South Carolina. The installation trains half of all the Army’s Basic Combat Training soldiers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fort Jackson is home to the following units:

• 165th Infantry Brigade
• 193rd Infantry Brigade
• U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy
• 81st Readiness Divison
• U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School
• 282nd Army Band
• 369th Adjutant General Battalion
• Columbia Recruiting Battalion
• Leader Training Brigade

Surrounding Cities: 

• Columbia (5 miles)
• Dentsville (6 miles)
• Forest Acres (10 miles)
• Cayce (13 miles)
• Eastmont (15 miles)
• Harrell Hill (15 miles)
• St. Andrews (20 miles)
• Caye (23 miles)
• Lexington (27 miles)

Closest MAJOR City: Columbia

Names of Area Colleges:

• University of South Carolina—Fort Jackson on Fort Jackson
• Webster University on Fort Jackson
• University of South Carolina in Columbia
• Midlands Technical College in Columbia
• Allen University in Columbia
• Benedict College in Columbia
• Columbia College in Columbia

Weather: Columbia’s forecast is fairly predictable—usually mostly sunny. Summertime highs average in the mid- to low-90s. Nighttime brings light breezes and comfortable temperatures. Annual rainfall totals about 45 inches a year, which can cool down those hot days. Winter weather is very mild with a rare snow sighting, and some winter months can even occasionally reach into the low 70s.

We have all four seasons: fall is normally warm, springs are nice and sunny, summers are hot, and winters are mildly cool. — Natalia A.

Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone

SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION

To access the post website, Fort Jackson

Map of the area

Historical Facts/Landmarks: While Fort Jackson encompasses more than 52,000 acres and is the largest and most active initial entry training center in the United States, the post has had its ups and downs. Initially created as Camp Jackson in 1917 during the start of World War I, it was shut down not five years later. Camp Jackson was reactivated during World War II and was slotted to be deactivated again in 1950 at the end of the war, but because of the outbreak of the Korean War, the installation remained active and has been ever since. The 1994 film Renaissance Man, starring Danny DeVito and Mark Wahlberg, filmed the basic training scenes from “Fort McClane” at Fort Jackson.

• US Army Basic Combat Training Museum

HOUSING

On-post Housing is managed by Fort Jackson Family Homes.

Major realty/rental companies in the area:

• Sally Swartz, Coldwell Banker

SCHOOLS 

School Liaison Officer

School Districts:

There are a number of school districts within Columbia, South Carolina, and the surrounding areas. Please note that not all districts are listed, but the school liaison website states that majority of off-post students will attend one of the many schools within Richland County School District Two. These include three magnet centers, 20 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five high schools, a charter school, and an adult continuing technology center.

On-Post Schools

• Pierce Terrace Elementary School (PreK-1)
• C.C. Pinckney Elementary School (2-6)

Students in grades 7-12 and living on post will attend public schools off post in Richland School District Two.

• Dent Middle School (7-8)
• Richland Northeast High School (9-12)

Off-Post Schools

• Elementary: Richland County School District One (PreK-5; some schools also offer Montessori options) and Richland County School District Two (PreK-5)
• Middle: Richland County School District One (6-8) and Richland County School District Two (6-8)
• High: Richland County School District One (9-12) and Richland County School District Two (9-12)

Private Schools

• Covenant Classical Christian School (K-12)
• Saint Peter’s Catholic School (K-6)
• Heathwood Hall Episcopal School for All (Age 2-Grade 12)

ON-POST SERVICES  

• Child and Youth Services
• Army Community Service
• PX
• Commissary
• Thomas Lee Hall Library
• Moncrief Army Health Clinic
• MWR
• Victory Spouses’ Club of Fort Jackson
• Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations

OFF-POST INFORMATION

Health care:

• Hospital: Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Providence Health (outpatient clinic), and Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, all located in Columbia.
• Urgent Care: MEDCare Urgent Care, AFC Urgent Care Columbia, and Palmetto Proactive Urgent Care, all located in Columbia.
• General Practitioners: Colonial Healthcare and Prisma Health Family Medisine, both located in Columbia.
• Dentist: Dental Clinic at Fort Jackson, David M Lovit, DMD in Columbia, and Berger Dental Group in Columbia.
• OBGYN: South Carolina OB/GYN Associates and Capital City OB-GYN Associates, both located in Columbia.

Best place for beauty services:

• Shear Xpectations Salon and Tanning in Columbia
• Capelli Salon in Columbia
• Urban Nirvana Day Spa in Columbia

RESTAURANTS

Columbia:

• Julia’s German Stammtisch
• Saky Japanese Restaurant
• Midwood Smokehouse
• San Jose Mexican Restaurant
• Moctezumas Taqueria
• California Dreaming
• Blue Fin Seafood Restaurant and Bar
• Lizard’s Thicket
• Mellow Mushroom
• Blue Marlin 

MUST DO

Columbia:

• South Carolina State Museum
• Fort Jackson National Cemetery
• Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
• Saluda Shoals Park
• Sesquicentennial State Park

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.

Installation Facebook page: Fort Jackson

Military Spouse Groups:

• Fort Jackson Wives
• Fort Jackson Area Spouses

Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:

• The Better Fort Jackson Yard Sale Group
• Fort Jackson Yard Sale Group

Religious services:

• Fort Jackson Protestant Women of the Chapel
• Fort Jackson Catholic Women of the Chapel

SPOUSE TESTIMONIALS

“Fort Jackson is a close-knit installation. The city of Columbia has a variety of things to do, tons of places to visit, and plenty of places to eat anytime of the week with family and friends.” —Natalia A.