FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- "The garrison team appreciates the patience and understanding of the entire community as Gate 2 was upgraded and enhanced," said Col. Michael Graese, Fort Jackson garrison commander. "I know it was a huge inconvenience, but operationally and aesthetically, it needed to be completed."
More changes at Fort Jackson's access points are on the horizon. Operating hours for some of the post's gates are scheduled to change beginning Oct. 1. This is a result of the transition of security guards from contractors to federal employees, which was mandated by Congress.
The transition period, which includes training of new security guards, requires adjustment to gate hours, said Patrick O'Connor, deputy director of emergency services. The new hours are as follows:
Gate 2 will be open around the clock.
Gate 4, which was open around the clock during the Gate 2 renovation, will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be closed on weekends.
Gate 5 will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
Gate 1 will be open from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The gate will be closed on weekends.
"The Directorate of Emergency Services has been planning for these changes for a year," O'Connor said. "These adjustments will allow the garrison to efficiently balance our security requirements with available resources."
O'Connor said that as the full complement of federal employees is hired and trained, hours at Gates 1 and 4 will be adjusted accordingly.
"We ask the community for the same patience during the security force transitions; as soon as we can expand the access hours, we will," Graese said.
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