Fort Jackson (South Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United States Army Training Center & Fort Jackson |
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| Columbia, South Carolina | |
USATC & Fort Jackson distinctive unit insignia
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| Coordinates | 34°2′21″N 80°49′20″W / 34.03917°N 80.82222°W |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Army |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1917–present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Chaplain Center and School Soldier Support Institute Drill Sergeant School U.S. Army Basic Training Center of Excellence |
Fort Jackson is a big base for the United States Army. It's where many new soldiers go for their first training, called Basic Combat Training (BCT). This important base is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
The base is named after Andrew Jackson. He was a famous general in the U.S. Army. He also became the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. He was born near the border of North and South Carolina.
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History of Fort Jackson
Fort Jackson first opened in 1917. It was called Camp Jackson back then. This was when the U.S. joined World War I. After the war ended, Camp Jackson closed down in 1922.
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The camp opened again for World War II. Important leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S. President) and George C. Marshall (a top general) visited. They showed Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister) how ready the soldiers were. After World War II, the base was supposed to close again by 1950. But the Korean War started, so Fort Jackson stayed open. It is still active today.
Training New Soldiers
Fort Jackson is the biggest training center for new soldiers in the U.S. Army. About half of all new soldiers start their journey here each year. The main job of the base is to train these new recruits.
Every year, about 35,000 new soldiers come for basic training. Another 8,000 soldiers get advanced training. This training lasts for ten weeks. It is given by the 165th and 193rd Infantry Brigades.
More Than Just Training
Fort Jackson does more than just basic training. Since 1995, new schools and training centers have been added. These include the U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute and the Department of Defense Chaplain Center and School.
In 2007, the Army brought all its training for drill sergeants to Fort Jackson. Drill sergeants are the leaders who train new soldiers. In 2009, Command Sergeant Major Teresa King became the first woman to lead this important school.
Fort Jackson Community
Fort Jackson covers a huge area, more than 52,000 acres (210 square kilometers). It has over 100 training areas and more than 1,000 buildings. Many people live and work at Fort Jackson. This includes soldiers, civilians, and their families.
About 10,000 more soldiers attend special courses each year. Around 3,500 active duty soldiers and 12,000 family members call Fort Jackson home. Many of them live right on the base. Also, nearly 3,500 civilians work at Fort Jackson. The base also helps over 46,000 retired military members and their families.
U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum
Visitors to Fort Jackson can explore the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum. It opened in 1974 and was once called the Fort Jackson Museum. The museum teaches about the base's history since it began in 1917. It is open Monday through Friday, except on federal holidays. Admission is free for everyone.
Location and Impact
Fort Jackson is in the middle of South Carolina, near the city of Columbia. It became part of Columbia in 1968. The base is easy to reach, with several major highways nearby.
The weather in this area changes with the seasons. Summers can be hot, with temperatures around 90°F (32°C) in July. Winters are cooler, with lows around 34°F (1°C) in January. The area gets about 48 inches (1220 mm) of rain each year.
Fort Jackson is very important for the local economy. It spends over $716.9 million each year on salaries, services, and more. Also, over 100,000 family members visit the area each year for basic training graduations. They stay in local hotels, eat at restaurants, and shop, which helps local businesses.
In 1993, some scenes for the movie Renaissance Man were filmed at Fort Jackson. The movie starred Danny DeVito and Mark Wahlberg. In the film, the training scenes were set at a fictional place called "Fort McClane."
In 2020, the buildings where new soldiers arrive, called the reception battalion barracks, were updated and improved.
Education at Fort Jackson
Children living on Fort Jackson go to special schools. Younger students attend Pierce Terrace Elementary School (Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 1) and C.C. Pinckney Elementary School (grades 2–6). These schools are run by the Department of Defense.
Older students go to Dent Middle School and Richland Northeast High School. These schools are part of the local public school district. For higher education, there are programs from the University of South Carolina, Claflin University, and Webster University located at Fort Jackson.
Notable People Who Trained Here
Many interesting people have trained at Fort Jackson over the years. Some of them became famous in different fields:
- Ken Berry (1953–1955), a dancer, actor, and singer.
- Jim Cook Jr. (2013–2014), a journalist and writer.
- Jim Croce, a well-known singer-songwriter.
- Jason Crow, an Army Ranger who later became a member of Congress.
- Desmond Doss, a Medal of Honor recipient, known for his bravery without carrying a weapon.
- Leonard Nimoy, a famous actor, writer, and director, best known as Spock from Star Trek.
- Joe Plumeri, a successful businessman.
- Geoff Ramsey, a film producer and actor.
- Freddie Stowers (1917), one of the first African-American soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor in World War I.
Images for kids
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Reception battalion barracks after being renovated in 2020
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Reception battalion barracks after being renovated in 2020
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Reception battalion barracks latrines and showers
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Reception battalion barracks latrines and showers
