Fort Jackson Army Base Guide
Named after President Andrew Jackson, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, is one of four locations of Army Basic Combat Training.
According to the Department of Defense, Fort Jackson is the Army’s largest Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army, responsible for more than half of all new Army recruits yearly. This installation is located near Columbia, South Carolina, on an impressive 50 thousand acres.
Fort Jackson Surrounding Area
Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina and one of the state’s largest cities. Fort Jackson is large enough to reside in two counties at once; Lexington County and Richland County, South Carolina.
The city is just under 140 miles, has an infamous reputation for summer heat, and is home to what was once considered the largest earthen dam in the world.
This part of the country is known for its military bases; Shaw Air Force Base is about 40 miles away; just over an hour’s drive from the Fort, you’ll find Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and about two hours away Joint Base Charleston has plenty to offer in terms of services and amenities.
Fort Jackson Mission and Units
Basic Combat Training is one of the primary missions here, but it’s not the sole focus. Other training happens at:
- U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute
- Department of Defense Chaplain Center
- Defense Academy for Credibility Assessment
Fort Jackson also supports:
- 120th AG Battalion
- 157th Infantry Brigade
- 165th Infantry Brigade
- 171st Infantry Brigade
- 193rd Infantry Brigade
DoD statistics about the Fort include:
- More than 3,500 active duty Soldiers work at Fort Jackson
- 12,000 family members live in or near the Fort
- Fort Jackson employs more than 3000 civilians
- Fort Jackson provides services for more than 46,000 retirees
In-Processing and Check-In at Fort Jackson
The following is intended for those not part of the Basic Training environment. All entering Fort Jackson as part of Basic Combat Training will be given instructions by their Training Instructors; no other options are available.
For “permanent party” military assigned to the base traveling there on PCS orders, soldiers must be in uniform and are directed to report to 5450 Strom Thurmond Boulevard during regular duty hours Monday through Friday.
Those arriving after duty hours must contact their gaining unit to check-in. Soldiers reporting to the base with permissive TDY house hunting options are advised to visit the Army Housing Office before entering into binding agreements to rent or buy housing.
Child Care at Fort Jackson
Fort Jackson is served by three Child Development Centers, providing child care for children aged six weeks to five years. Due to high demand, waiting lists may apply. One Fort Jackson Child Development Center has previously advertised 24-hour operations but this facility has a small capacity, and demand may be high.
Additional childcare options on post include the Fort Jackson Family Child Care (FCC) network, a group of on-post private homes offering regulated and monitored child care.
FCC care is not always available on Fort Jackson; it has been offered in the past but you’ll need to check with the Child Development Center to learn what options may be available when you PCS to the area.
Fort Jackson Housing
When PCSing to Fort Jackson, you should contact Army Housing Service Office at 4514 Stuart Street. This office can help you with both on-post and off-post housing options. Waiting lists for on-base housing apply due to high demand.
On-base housing is privatized and administered by Balfour Beaty Communities. Some 850 family homes in eight neighborhoods are offered to “all ranks, retirees, and civilians.” It’s best to contact the Housing Office before entering any legally binding agreement for housing, whether for rent or purchase.
PCS and TDY Lodging
IHG Army Hotel Fort Jackson. IHG Hotels offers TDY and PCS temporary lodging but due to high demand, you must book in advance by calling 877-711-8326. It is not safe to assume there are pet-friendly lodging options on post; ask when you book about on-base options but also local kennels or other alternatives if a pet-friendly lodging option is not available.
Related: BAH Calculator
Transportation
Charlotte International Airport is just under 100 miles away; the Columbus Metropolitan Airport is closer but smaller. Only 20 miles from Fort Jackson, you can get the usual ride shares, taxis, shuttles, etc.
If you are traveling on PCS orders, discuss your arrival logistics with your sponsor for best results. Rush hour can complicate trips from the airport to the base depending on where you land, tourist season, weather issues, etc.
Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License
If you drive on Fort Jackson, you are subject to search, ID checks, and on-post driving requirements.
All privately owned vehicles operating on post must have current paperwork, drivers must have a current military ID and current driver’s licenses, and motorcycle riders must pass a safety course if they are under 25.
You and your vehicle must comply with South Carolina requirements, including safety equipment, state-required insurance coverage, and cell phone use while driving.
Schools
There are two DoDEA elementary schools on post:
- Grades pre-K-2 – Pierce Terrace Elementary
- Grades 3-6 – Pinckney Elementary
Dent Middle School serves those who live on base; living off post, you have options including:
- Richland School District 1
- Richland District 2
Call the Fort Jackson School Support Services office (803-751-6150) for information on transfer requirements, shot records, immunizations, vaccinations, and start times.
According to DoD sources, new students arriving at Fort Jackson should be registered as soon as possible. Pre-kindergartners must be four years old; kindergartners must be five; first graders must be six on or before Sept 1 of the new school year.
Colleges and Universities
There are several colleges and universities in the Columbia, South Carolina area, including:
- Webster University
- Midlands Technical College
- University of South Carolina at Columbia
Contact the Fort Jackson Army Learning Center to learn more about these options and other continuing education possibilities at 803-751-5341.
Use the CollegeRecon School Finder to search for colleges in South Carolina.
Related: Military Tuition Assistance Guide
Contacts
Fort Jackson
9810 Lee Road
Fort Jackson, SC 29207
- 803-751-5256
- 312-734-5256
Important Fort Jackson Contacts
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- Barracks/Single Service Member Housing (803) 751-1636
- Base Operator (803) 751-7511
- Dental Clinics (803) 751-6213
- Emergency 911
- Finance Office (803) 751-4565
- Hospital/Medical Treatment Facility (877) 273-5584
- Housing Services Office (803) 751-7566
- ID/CAC Card Processing (803) 751-7731
- Information and Referral (803) 751-4862
- Law Enforcement (803) 751-3114
- Legal Services and JAG (803) 751-4287
- Medical Appointments (877) 273-5584
- Personnel Support Office (803) 751-7673
Related: Military Benefits Guide for Active Duty
Military Bases in South Carolina
Army Bases in South Carolina
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- Fort Jackson
- USAREC, Columbia Recruiting Battalion
Marine Corps Bases in South Carolina
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- MCAS Beaufort
- MCRD Parris Island
Air Force Bases in South Carolina
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- Shaw Air Force Base
Joint Bases in South Carolina
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- Joint Base Charleston
Coast Guard Bases in South Carolina
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- USCG Base Charleston
Learn more about VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA Loans, and TRICARE.
Did you know? South Carolina offers qualifying veterans a state employment preference. The S.C. State Employee Veterans Hiring Preference operates by requiring that “at least one qualified Veteran” be interviewed for each full-time state job. Learn more at the official site.
VA Facilities in South Carolina
Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
6439 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209-1638
803-776-4000
Mental health: 803-776-4000 x6823
Sumter VA Clinic
245 North Bultman Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
803-938-9901
Mental health: 803-776-4000 x2442
Orangeburg VA Clinic
151 Magnolia Village Parkway
Orangeburg, SC 29118
803-533-1335
Mental health: 803-776-4000 x2242
Columbia VA Regional Benefit Office
6437 Garners Ferry Rd
Columbia, SC 29209
800-827-1000
VetSuccess on Campus at Midland Technical College
315 S Beltline Blvd
Lindau Engineering Technology Building, room 105
Columbia, SC 29205
803-397-1003
Veteran Readiness and Employment Office at Moncrief Army Community Hospital
4500 Stuart Street
9th Floor, Room 925A
Ft Jackson, SC 29207
803-647-2405
Fort Jackson National Cemetery
4170 Percival Rd
Columbia, SC 29229-8307
803-699-2246
Columbia, SC Vet Center
1710 Richland Street
Suite A
Columbia, SC 29201
803-765-9944
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
