Make Third your first

By Sgt. Victor EverhartJuly 9, 2015

The Shaw Air Force Base Fitness and Health Center's calisthenics and free weight center
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Shaw Air Force Base Fitness and Health Center, located next door to Patton Hall, is broken up into two sections: Pictured is the calisthenics and free weight center, which has multiple free weights ranging from 5 pounds to 200 pounds, along with ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Shaw Air Force Base Fitness and Health Center's Cardiovascular Health Center
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Shaw Air Force Base Fitness and Health Center, located next door to Patton Hall, is broken up into two sections: Pictured is the cardiovascular health center, which has the latest treadmill, elliptical and bike equipment to keep your cardio worko... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Carolina Lakes Golf Course
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Carolina Lakes Golf Course is located on Shaw Air Force Base, just minutes away from Patton Hall, and it is a military golf course that opened in 1954. Designed by Ed Riccoboni, Carolina Lakes Golf Course measures 6,495 yards from the longest tees an... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Central Current Operations Information Center
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pictured is the U.S. Army Central Current Operations Information Center, the command and control center that links stateside leadership with various forward missions. Third Army, directed by U.S. Army Central Command, is currently responsible for syn... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Bust of Gen. George S. Patton at U.S. Army Central
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In the entrance of the building bearing his name, Patton Hall, is the bust of Gen. George S. Patton. Patton took command of Third Army following the invasion of Normandy in 1944, where he led a highly successful, rapid armored drive across France. He... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Patton Hall at U.S. Army Central
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The American and South Carolina state flags fly over Patton Hall, home of Third Army/U.S. Army Central; in front sits an old M48 series "Patton Tank." It was the third tank to be officially named after Gen. George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Thi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - Soldiers choosing to make the Army their career are eventually going to get the opportunity to pick their next location, but what are their motivators for picking their next duty station?

If it's career growth, location, education or employment opportunities for family members, consider making Third Army your first choice.

Third Army or U.S. Army Central is in the city of Sumter located in the Midlands of South Carolina.

"What is most important to military families are quality healthcare, education and employment opportunities," said Brig. Gen David P. Glaser, chief of staff, U.S. Army Central.

If your motivator is career growth Third Army provides outstanding opportunities for mid-level officers and noncommissioned officers to gain key developmental, broadening and in many instances joint experience under quality senior mentors in the only Army Service Component Command currently involved in combat operations.

Third Army is currently responsible for synchronizing the U.S. and international military contribution to the Combined Joint Task Force's overall coalition strategy, primarily through Operation Inherent Resolve.

The operation is led by Lt. Gen. James Terry, commander, USARCENT and CJTF-OIR, and is focused on enabling the Government of Iraq to degrade and destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, restore domestic security and stability, secure Iraq's borders, and regenerate/restructure security forces to accomplish these missions.

"It is a pleasure to be at an engaged and in a centrally focused organization with a real-world mission every day," said Sgt. Maj. Patrick Hickok, Third Army command career counselor.

Understanding that balance in life is essential for health and happiness, Third Army's location is prime real estate for a multitude of activities to help you unwind. The beach, shopping, college and professional sports can be reached in a few miles.

Columbia and Myrtle Beach are examples of places you can easily visit within South Carolina, but you are not far from cities such as Charlotte to the north and Atlanta to the West; all of which have additional cultural, nightlife and entertainment activities for you to enjoy.

"I like Third Army for its location. Working here is a joy knowing on the weekends I can practically be at the beach relaxing or in the mountains hiking in the same weekend if I choose," said Staff Sgt. Rodger Sims, chaplain assistant, Third Army.

For those Soldiers with school-age children, the Sumter School District has excellent schools, including two on-post elementary schools.

Sumter County has 16 elementary schools and seven middle schools. Sumter High School, is one of three public high schools in the district, which offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a program which all colleges and universities in South Carolina recognize. To find out a particular college or university's policies regarding the IBDP, please use the IBDP website www.ibo.org

The Sumter and Columbia communities offer economic advantages that allow service members and their families to get the most out of their income in terms of education, housing, recreation activities, and numerous economic incentives at the county and state levels for Soldiers and family members.

"My time here has been very fun and interesting with plenty of activities for myself and my children," said Barbara Badger, the family readiness group leader for Third Army. "The base and local area have many functions that get family members out of the house and involved in the local community."

Third Army presents career Soldiers with quality opportunities to grow professionally and personally. Regardless of what your interests are, there are a multitude of reasons why you should be one of 'Patton's Own' and make Third your First.