Fort Jackson,SC

• Massive Training Hub: Fort Jackson, established in 1917, is the U.S. Army’s largest Basic Combat Training (BCT) center, training nearly 50% of all soldiers entering the Army each year. • World War I Origins: Originally named Camp Jackson, it was founded during World War I to train soldiers for the American Expeditionary Forces headed to Europe. • Named After President: The installation is named after President Andrew Jackson, a South Carolina native and the seventh President of the United States. • Women in the Army: Fort Jackson played a major role in the integration of women into the Army. The first all-female battalion, the 3rd WAC Training Battalion, was activated here in 1973. • Home of the Drill Sergeant Academy: The U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy, which trains all Army drill sergeants, is located at Fort Jackson. • Largest Initial Entry Training Center: Over 50,000 recruits pass through Fort Jackson’s training programs annually, making it the Army’s largest Initial Entry Training (IET) installation. • Vietnam War Training: During the Vietnam War, Fort Jackson was one of the primary training centers for troops deploying to Southeast Asia. • Unique Museum: The Fort Jackson Museum preserves military artifacts and tells the story of the base's role in American military history, including interactive exhibits. • Hollywood Came Knocking: Fort Jackson was used as a filming location for the movie "Renaissance Man" (1994), starring Danny DeVito, which depicted Army basic training. • Community Impact: The base is a significant economic engine for Columbia and the Midlands area of South Carolina, contributing billions annually and employing thousands of civilians.