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ABOUT 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.