Soooo many people there for family day and graduation, but everything was very organized and the lines ran quickly. The ceremony was amazing!!!! Such an honor to see the young men become soldiers. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to all who have served! What a joy to be part of the army family. read more

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I had never thought of writing a review for Fort Jackson but after coming across their Yelp page I figured why not... I completed basic training here late summer / early fall of 2013. I arrived at the beginning of September and the weather was disgusting. It was hot af and very humid. It started to feel nice towards the end of the month and once graduation came around in November, it was pretty chilly. My experience was startling at first as I had never had a grown man / or woman yell at me, let alone hurt my feelings.... But what did I expect, I signed myself up for this and knew this was not gonna be a walk in the park. I heard it all and not once did I take it personal.. My drill sergeants were tough and so was the physical aspect of it. You have to be both mentally and physically tough for this as this is definitely not a vacation. There were days we were up for 12+ hours and we had to do it all over again the next day... Several people from my platoon quit right at the start and they did not get to go home right away. More then a handful of people quit in my company, both men and women as they could not handle the intense training. Fort Jackson is very old and we encountered a few paranormal activities / sightings while we were out in the field. My company was located in the old trailers at the time so we didn't have it too nice as the other companies did.. Overall if I had to do basic training at Fort Jackson all over again I would. I've been out of the army a few years now but would gladly do it all over again. read more

Fort Jackson, established in 1917, is the U.S. Army's largest basic training facility in Columbia, SC. It is responsible for training over half of all Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) recruits annually, which tests mental fortitude, physical fitness, combat military skills, and leadership development. BCT Graduation Proud mom civilian experience: May 2, 2024, at Hilton Head Field, was one of the best days of my life to witness my son and hundreds of soldiers graduate from BCT. It was an opportunity for friends and family to celebrate and enjoy fun-filled events such as barbeques, food trucks (shrimp Po-boys, hamburgers, gyros, Mexican, ice cream, and snowballs), putt-putt golf, movies, touring the army museum, relaxing on the lake, bowling, etc. These events are an opportunity for family and friends to honor the 10 weeks of hard work, sacrifice, teamwork, and dedication of soldiers as they prepare for their next assignments. Almost a year later, my son completed BCT, AIT (Cyber Security), and Airborne and is now in Pre-RASPS. He left a boy and is becoming a fine young man, and it all started here at Fort Jackson. This Veteran's Day is an appropriate time to honor and remember our veterans, those who didn't make it home, and those who continue to serve our great nation! read more

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This is a civilian review of my experience visiting Fort Jackson for Friends & Family Day and Graduation Day. My sons ship date was in February and he's missing his Honors Convocation (graduated a semester early Summa Cum Laude) and his Ceremony both taking this week so I was overjoyed to be able to attend some sort of graduation for him. I'm grateful to have the privilege of attending his BCT, Officer and Ranger graduations in person. I rented an Airbnb 7minutes from Gate 4 as this is the Gate we were instructed to use for Hilton Field and I wanted to be as close as possible for ease and convenience. We did use Gate 2 at different times since he was living near this Gate. Have your insurance card, car rental agreement and everyone's ID ready before you reach the gate. You'll want to arrive early both days but in all honesty, I think it's excessive to suggest arriving at 7a when the gates open. Unless you have a friend or family member who requires a ton of extra time to get to/from the car and into the bleachers, you can totally manage on the same time frame. Just my two cents, feel free to wait hours if that makes you feel most comfy. We arrived 8-815ish both days and had plenty of time to get parked, use the restroom and find front row seating in the bleachers. You're instructed to be in your seat by 850A and there was absolutely zero issue with an 8A arrival. If you're anything like me if you're here much before that, you'll be bored out of your mind - waiting for hours. I'd say there's no need for that, but do you! Bring a light jacket if need be (check the weather), I'm sure this isn't necessary in the Summer months but what I do know... I'm from CA not SC. It was chilly in May and a morning jacket was nice to have. Bringing a seat cushion if you require extra padding would be a nice to have, if you're able. Friends/Fam Day: We brought coffee and brekke to share with my son and packed a hearty bag of snacks and a cookie cake for the day. A couple family members left the base to secure Chick Fil A for lunch but you could very well pick up from anywhere and bring on. We wanted something simple and close since we were dining out several times the next day. I'd HIGHLY recommend bringing a picnic blanket AND tablecloths. I totally dropped the ball on these. We did without both but they would have been great! If you're flying in I understand it's not so easy to pack picnic blankets but they'd really be handy for laying out in different areas. Beach towels or even hotel swim towels may do the trick in a pinch. A cooler with ice is also highly recommended. Again, flying into town with a large Yeti isn't something most can do and folks driving in have it much easier in these areas but go secure a Styrofoam cooler from Kroger with a couple bags of ice and call it a day. You'll want to keep your cold bevvies cold. I picked up plates, utensils, cups etc. from the Dollar Store nearby to use throughout the day. There is a Starbucks on base, it's insane busy but it's here. There are other food options on base but none are great and the coffee cart does not have non dairy milk options if that's a deal breaker for you. There's a bowling alley, movie theatre, mini golf, water park (not yet open for the season during our visit), museum, lake, pool tables, video game room, corn hole and many activities to keep busy. Even bringing your laptop to watch movies on could be nice. Lawn games, cards, etc. are also all nice ideas. I should have packed my sons smaller chess board but didn't. I felt prepared but later felt I could have planned much better. We drove around a lot and hung out in different areas for short periods of time which was nice to get a feel for things but settling into an area or two may have been more ideal... blame Mom brain after not seeing my baby for a bit. You can plan better. Graduation Day - the best piece of advise we received beforehand was from a reddit board saying to leave ASAP as there are so many cars trying to exit, you don't want to waste precious time in lines backed up at gates. Take pics all over on Friends & Fam Day, snap a few on the lawn after Graduation and get to your car quickly to depart. There was heavy traffic but it wasn't too bad. I feel you'll want to get your 9 hours of alone time started ASAP as they go SO FAST if you're dropping your solider back for government transfer. Thinking back on it now, I had the ability to drive him to Fort Benning but we chose not to so I could stay in town with my Mom and his girlfriend due to their flights not leaving until Saturday. I could have had him overnight and most of the next day. If you have this option and want extra time with your family member I'd book your rental car and flights in/out of airports that would enable you to do this - which I had, flying in/out of ATL vs CAE and not leaving until Mon. Congrats to all! DM me if there's anything else I can possibly help you with for your special day with your solider. read more

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If the intent is to make service people and families feel inferior mission accomplished. I was surprised from dirty , not stocked bathrooms at Hilton field at 8am to poor service/ huffing and puffing and walking / slow service at 1917 Club. I think we can do better than this for our service men and women and their families. read more

Updated review with pics! Love my walks here, nothing new. Check it our if you are eligible to go on base. read more

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I was an Army Officer from US Army Europe. I was sent to Fort Jackson to ETS and go home. They said 24 hours and you'll be heading out. Well, those 24 hours turned into 30 days. It was summer with a heat index of 135*F. Fort Jackson is all about BASIC Training and support of training. Support the mission right? It has all the basic facilities, but nothing special. I walked around post, saw the historical sites, and visited the nearby town. Nice place, but wouldn't want to spend years there. I think I was just happy to be back in the States. read more

I've read a couple of reviews since I posted this and wanted to address the hazing or being treated like cattle that the soldiers experience. Basic training is meant to break you down and build you back up. Not be the prick you were throughout the 10 weeks thinking you can do whatever you want and get a free paycheck. Those who got it the worst at Basic were labelled "Blue Falcons" for those who couldn't put two fingers in front of them and count. They would complain about every little thing or wouldn't follow the rules and get the whole platoon in trouble. OBVIOUSLY you're going to get picked on and labelled as such, that's the same no matter where you go except at Basic, you can't ignore it, they won't let you forget it, and you're confronted with who you truly are. In the heat of battle, that "Blue Falcon" will get you killed, so try to put it all in perspective and just go with it. I mean, you did sign up for it right? I've had questions from people about when they can contact their loved ones. My experience was that when you arrived at Fort Jackson, the first few days is called reception where you get processed in for pay, gear, and medical. The first night is spent getting your gear which kept us up until late at night, at least till 12. Anyway, we weren't allowed to use our phones except to call ONE loved one to tell them we were okay. That's it. I can't remember if we were given the address at that time (Company and Platoon included) or if my wife got it with the first letter we were allowed to write. The first time we were allowed our phones was at the end of RED phase which was about three to four weeks in OR if our Platoon won an award and we were given phone privileges for a few minutes. Our Platoon sucked and I wasn't able to call home until week three or four. Its been 5 years since then and basically anyone who is in the military can always have a good laugh at everything that goes on during basic. Its definitely a once in a lifetime experience and I wouldn't change it for the world. read more

I was stationed here for 2.5 years too long. Ft Jackson has nothing going on besides basic training. You can't escape the trainees no matter where you go. It's plopped right in the middle of Columbia, which wasn't my favorite city to live in. There are a decent amount of restaurants because of the size of the city and the university, but the crime rates are high. read more

My son was enlisted at Fort Jackson a year ago and is still dealing with emotional issues of anger, and deep disappointment in the very unprofessional behavior of the personnel there. It is a very back woods environment of hazing, continuous cussing, yelling and playing practical jokes on its recruits. Activities that have noting to do with training/being "Army Strong". Additionally, my son states those that got injured or sick where treated like cattle in the worse conditions. Heaven help you if you son or daughter gets sick or injured. Some of those officers need to be gotten rid of to make this base what it should be. Someone from the Army should do an investigation. read more

Great installation, excellent Soldiers, quality leadership across the installation. The DA Civilians are very helpful and facilitate the success of the units on the base. The security measures are great and ensure that everyone is well protected. read more

As a member of the Navy that's been to Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps bases all over the world Fort Jackson is by far the most unprofessional, backwards training command I've ever set boots on to date. The fact that they call themselves a training command is a joke. Their "Drill Sergeants" can't identify Naval officers in uniform nor do they know any other branches enlisted ranks but their own. Their newly graduated soldiers have no idea how to wear their dress uniforms PROPERLY out in town. (witnessed a soldier eating BBQ in his Class A's with the jacket sleeves pushed up to his elbows, unbuttoned and disheveled). I wasn't surprised to learn from talking to a new soldier that they were never trained how to address or depart a conversation with senior enlisted or officers. SAD... One will also notice that the base itself fails to retire the colors(lower the US flag) at the appropriate time(sunset in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq)) as all member of the Military know. My husband and I witnessed 2 hours before sunset, the ensign being lowered while the morning rising song was being played yet, taps can be heard playing at all hours of the night. When I asked a Staff Sgt why taps was played at 9pm no answer could be given. DISRESPECTFUL... The PX seemed undermanned and ill prepared for the mass of graduates at they knew would swarm in. Restaurants did not open earlier with the incoming family members, guests and soldiers so we were forced to either wait until they opened or go to the other floundering restaurants because the new soldiers were not allowed off base until the following day. NO OTHER BRANCH OF THE MILITARY FORCES THEIR RECRUITS AFTER MEETING WITH FAMILY TO REMAIN ON BASE. This caused traffic congestion, long lines for EVERYTHING and then nothing to do for hours as we tried to find places to visit on base that either didn't open until later, didn't allow the recruits to visit or were already closed. BACKWARDS..... Aside from the graduation itself there is nothing about this base that i found special or worthy of more than 1 star. read more

Beautiful base, nice people, easy to get to. Visited for my husbands graduation from basic training. There were a ton of extra people there however roads were easy to navigate, facilities were easy to get to with tons of signs to help you out as you go. read more

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This is where my child Jasmine George is that she is a3 platoon reaper I'm very excited for her I'm very proud of her and I love it I miss her very very much read more

Zero stars! Fort Jackson, SC is the worst installation I have ever been to in my 15 years of service. Extremely outdated and does not have adequate facilities or support to facilitate the number of personnel who are here for training. read more

Wow, I'm the first to review? I'll add this to my list of reviews of military installations; I've done Navy Base San Diego and Miramar already. 50% of the U.S. Armed Forces go through Relaxin' Jackson at some time or other. I'm re-classing right now and we have all the other services going to school with us. I started with Basic Training and didn't get to see a whole lot of the base of course, so I'm exploring it now. The PX is the largest in the vicinity, although I've yet to see Ft. Benning's. I know people from Ft. Gordon make the 88 mile drive to use it. There's a very popular water park, two golf courses, a nice main post chapel and a terrific library. There are at least four different kinds of butterflies, dragonflies and a population of gorgeous but unfriendly feral cats. The downsides are the oppressive heat (which isn't Jackson's fault), very poor on-post transportation for those who arrive with no car and DFACS whose hours of operation are only a suggestion. Victory starts here! read more

Ok, lots of crowds for Family Day and graduation day for recruits. We saw our daughter graduate, we are proud. I noticed it a bit lax in some spots and formal in others. We ate at the NCO club. they have great GRITS. Soldiers are proud, we are proud, victory starts here....time for Ft Benning read more

Victory Juice, stiflingly humid afternoons and ice-frosty mornings, double-timing everywhere, all the white and black kids from all over the country (and a few Latinos) you could possibly meet, 4:30 a.m. PT, air-powered vaccination guns, boloing in weapons qual, smart-ass, tobacco-chewing drill sergeants and drill-sergeants-in-training-to-kick-your-next-ass right next door, graduating from Basic in D-Day-like fog, gyro-powered floor polishers at AIT, getting a full week of kitchen duty for letting recruits make out after lights out, and other once-in-a-lifetime experiences occurred at this Army base. read more

My 15 year old daughter is working her first job here as a lifeguard. I guess just about everyone who is employed here is accustomed to being rude and unhelpful for no good reason. Aside from the employees at the swimming pool, I've only encountered people with nasty attitudes who don't want to assist you in getting things you actually need. The soldiers at the entrance are immediately rude and that's from having a very brief interaction with them. The employees in the security office are mostly rude. I took my daughter to get her employee I.D., and the lady in that office rudely let us know that my daughter needed a state issued I.D. to be able to get her work I.D. (which is understandable). However, the lady in HR didn't advise us of this, which I don't understand because she knew she didn't have a state I.D. at 15, which led me to believe that maybe she wasn't aware of everything that's needed to obtain a work I.D. I hope that's not the case since she works in Human Resources. Like the other reviews stated, I believe fort Jackson is mainly for basic training. Maybe that's why they deal with people like they're drill sergeants interacting with recruits. They also have a very outdated website. So aside from the employees at the pool and water park, I was disappointed with the onboarding process and the rudeness I constantly encountered there. read more

Basic Combat Training here was way worst than expected. I also believed the whole "relaxin' Jackson" rumor but that was not the case. The drill sergeants do, in fact, hurl personal insults and cuss and scream at the top of their lungs. YouTube videos and blogs about BCT do no justice. The reception battalion process is very similar to MEPS except way less freedom, haircuts, and vaccines. The one guy who wasn't even a drill sergeant at the uniform issuing all he did was cuss and scream for something stupid like standing in line 'HEAL TO TOE TRAINEE! HEAL TO TOE TRAINEE! WAKE THE FUCK UP TRAINEE!' His job is not to discipline recruits who is he exactly for the unnecessary and obnoxious comments exactly? The nursing staff is rude and people who are not even drill sergeants, who are above an E-4 rank think they can treat any recruit like an animal. And they wonder why so many drop-out? It's not all training, a lot of it is hazing. I attended here from 9/19/17-11/30/17. It never got easier. The McWethy TMC located on base is run by a couple sergeants (again, not drill sergeants) in the morning for injured or troops with other issues, and talk to them like prison inmates and they are forced to wait outside at a filthy bus stop on bleachers in freezing or inclement weather for sometimes up to 4 hours for treatment. The retired army doctors and staff are awfully rude and will accuse you of lying and or faking. Mr. Fulton who is a army civilian "doctor" made personal threats to you such as calling your company commander or 'have you drug out by an NCO by your arm to your company' just for asking a question. Mine was about the situation because I was diagnosed with epilepsy after having my first seizure on my second week of basic training. This so called "doctor" Fulton should not be allowed to treat these injured recruits because he is unfit and worthless for medical attention. Mr. Stribling, a retired soldier who pulls medical files from civilian hospitals or doctors threatened me saying I would get a dishonorable discharge and called me a "piece of shit with no integrity" to my face because I needed to pull medical records from a hospital from years ago. A person who isn't even in the military no longer with a quite bit of napoleon syndrome making threats to my service and making personal insults. The Medical Quarters are located in a unsanitary old building next to the TMC ran by a few drill sergeants who treat the injured soldiers terribly. Hand-Foot-Mouth disease was rampant and recruits with fractures or other injuries were placed in the same rooms and bunks as these individuals with the disease. If you are going to attend Fort Jackson, try to avoid injury or sickness so you won't go to that concentration camp of a TMC. I never regretted joining the Army but no longer enlisted due to injury at AIT but the base is an entire lie and run by a sadist command. All the training is hazing, and most of it unnecessary for the recruits. As I am openly gay, I was called a "fairy" and "boys' bitch" by a sergeant at the medical office at the 120th AG battalion reception by an NCO all because I used the latrine (restroom) from permission by an E-4 staff and not an NCO. I regret not ever filing a complaint report against that sergeant but at the time you feel hopeless in that place. On 'family day' the drill sergeants of my company cussed and yelled at family members 'get yalls asses out of here it's 20:00 so go on take yalls damn pictures of your trainee tomorrow' like really? You demand total respect but can't even have the least little respect to the families of recruits? It's all because they can get away with whatever they want on base. I have had a drill sergeant and a company senior drill sergeant who smelled like booze and were driving trainees like a bat out of hell. The army says safety is it's priority but to drill sergeants hazing and insults is the only thing necessary. So to whoever reading this and heading to Fort Jackson, your favorite part of the day will be breakfast at the DFAC (only on certain days) and your favorite day will be Sunday (church day). And good luck to whoever is going to or has graduated from Fort Jackson! read more

Its basic training.... did i like it? no. was it fun? sometimes. Was the food good? Not really. But regardless, Charlie 2/13 graduated May 27 2009! Forty rounds! read more

L. Benbow works at a Dining Facility at Fort Jackson. She took the time to come over and help when she saw me stranded on the far side of the spit-shield, hovering over the steamed veggies. As she provided me with piping-hot cauliflower embedded in a fallen forest of green beans, she deployed a big warm South Carolina smile and said she hoped I enjoyed my meal. I believed her. read more

i give the post four out of five stars great army base, i give the Golf Courses 5 out of 5 stars great courses beautiful grounds and lots of fun to play a round on with friends and the clubhouse is very nice read more