Aug 11, 2011

Fort Jackson Soldiers and volunteers are part of an eight-week pilot program with Palmetto Animal Assistance Life Services -- or PAALS -- which enables Soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to train dogs that will go on to become assistance dogs for someone else.

Aug 11, 2011

Fort Jackson families flocked to Hilton Field to enjoy a fun night of safety, food, and friends during the Annual National Night Out Aug. 3. Housing area residents came out to enjoy games, presentations, and demonstrations by several law enforcement and emergency services in the Columbia area. The focus of the event was to bring together law enforcement officials with the communities they support.

Aug 11, 2011

Staff Sgt.Ontego Straight didn’t wait for the Army to assign him as a drill sergeant, he volunteered to be one. Straight has been volunteering since childhood, as part of his life as the son of a preacher.

Aug 11, 2011

Navy chaplain (Capt.) W. Kyle Fauntleroy, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center has assumed the position of Director of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center. Fauntleroy takes over for Army chaplain (Col.) David Smartt, who is the commandant of the Army Chaplain Center and School. The change became official during a passing of the stole ceremony Aug. 2.

Aug 11, 2011

I feel as though we’re putting the cart ahead of the horse when I hear talk about whether a Soldier can pass the new PT test. The experts at the Physical Readiness Division will tell you that they are still in a data collection mode and only one-third of the way there -- all of which means that the events of the test themselves are not yet set in stone.

Aug 11, 2011

On Monday, hundreds of children will return to the hallways of Fort Jackson schools and the Department of Defense Education Activity personnel have been working hard to ensure students get the most out of educational opportunities this year.

Aug 11, 2011

School time doesn’t just mean early mornings and homework studies for kids. There are also plenty of afterschool activities to keep every member of the family occupied this school year. The offerings range from academics to sports.

Aug 10, 2011

Secretary of the Army John McHugh has established an Energy Initiatives Office Task Force to serve as the central managing office for large-scale Army renewable energy projects.

Aug 10, 2011

More than 50 on- and off-post organizations and vendors put their services on display during the inaugural Fort Jackson Jubilee community information fair Tuesday at the Solomon Center.

Aug 9, 2011

Fort Jackson will join a host of other organizations across the country Aug. 20 at 8 a.m., as it holds its inaugural “Run/Walk for the Fallen” at Hilton Field’s softball complex to honor fallen Soldiers and their families.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Newcomers and seasoned members of the Fort Jackson community alike are invited to the installation’s Jackson Jubilee, which is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday at the Solomon Center.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Directorate of Human Resources announced Fort Jackson’s participation in an Army pilot program at Tuesday’s installation town hall meeting at the Solomon Center.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Summer is drawing to a close and South Carolina retailers are helping consumers prepare for the upcoming school year. Friday marks the beginning of the state’s tax-free weekend.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- While many youths were sleeping, watching television or playing video games, members of Fort Jackson’s Boy Scout Troop 89 embarked on a rigorous week of outdoor fun, leadership training and character building.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Scouting is a part of life for Staff Sgt. Robert Brickner and his family. The Scoutmaster for Fort Jackson’s troop, who has been involved with Boy Scouts since his childhood, said he sees volunteerism as a way to give back to others.

Aug 4, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Recently we had a visit from a very popular college coach who is a proven winner on and off the field. I’m referring to Ray Tanner, coach of the University of South Carolina baseball team, which has won the College World Series the past two years in a row.

Aug 3, 2011

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised six officers yesterday after the Senate confirmed their nominations for key leadership positions, including the military's two top uniformed posts.

Aug 1, 2011

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry remembers his son, Austin, telling him he's thinking about going to West Point or the Air Force Academy after high school. But the 17-year-old grew a little apprehensive after seeing his father become only the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the war on terror during a July 12, 2011 ceremony at the White House.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Next week, Fort Jackson residents will get a chance to put names with faces and see the different service people who work to keep the neighborhoods safe.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- I am hoping that it is clear to everyone what Fort Jackson’s policy is in regard to the use of cell phones when driving on post. If you are not tracking, it might end up costing you $75 (a $50 ticket and $25 processing fee) as well as some embarrassment if you are pulled over and ticketed by the Military Police.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Three Fort Jackson civilians recently received honors recognizing their work not just for the past year, but throughout their careers.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- New changes are on the horizon for Fort Jackson. Col. James Love, garrison commander, will host a Town Hall Meeting 6 p.m., Aug. 2 in the Solomon Center to address a few of those.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment dedicated two mementos from the Vietnam War for public display July 21 in a ceremony at its battalion headquarters building.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- More than 100 entries were shown off Saturday during Fort Jackson’s Annual Autocraft Car & Bike Show, now in its sixth year.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- In an interesting twist, one graduating Soldier from the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment found that she had a unique connection to the unit: the unit’s moniker, the Leyte Dragons, got its name from the battle fought in her hometown.

Jul 28, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- On his way home from a family outing July 3 with his wife and two sons, Sgt. Robert Babcock came across an unexpected scene in a suburban neighborhood

Jul 21, 2011

Not everyone gets tips on penmanship from a president. But then, not everyone is Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry, an Army Ranger and recent Medal of Honor recipient.

Jul 21, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Hundreds of people showed their support for Fort Jackson Friday at the post’s 94th birthday celebration at the Solomon Center.

Jul 20, 2011

The newly formed VA Task Force on Women Veterans will go a long way in addressing key benefits gaps to female veterans, according to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.

Jul 20, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Soldiers spoke and the Army listened. Now there is a new tool aimed at helping them track their Army careers.

Jul 20, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- It’s hard enough nowadays to find employment when the playing field for job seekers is level, much less when the turf is uneven. Military spouses are used to dealing with adversity and additional hurdles when it comes to job hunting.

Jul 20, 2011

Moncrief Army Community Hospital is offering back-to-school and sports physicals Aug. 2-11 for TRICARE Prime family members, ages 4 to 18.

Jul 20, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Three youth athletes with Fort Jackson ties are set to make their mark on a big stage as they prepare to compete in national meets.

Jul 19, 2011

The Army Wounded Warrior Program's 7th Annual Symposium is holding a week of focused discussions that will identify the most important transition and care issues facing Soldiers and their families.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Dust off your party hats and dancing shoes because it is birthday time at Fort Jackson. The post will celebrate its 94th birthday with a community event 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday at the Solomon Center.

Jul 14, 2011

Soldiers with the Fort Jackson Warrior Transition Unit welcomed a back-to-back College World Series champion at their town hall meeting this week.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Don Busbice was recognized earlier this month as the first person to complete the first three phases of the Fort Jackson Army Training Center’s newly implemented Civilian Workforce Development Training program, earning a Civilian Achievement Medal, among other incentives.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- More than 700 Fort Jackson muggles took the Hogwarts Express to the post movie theater Saturday for a free advance screening of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” which will open nationwide Friday.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fifteen children are playing outside, but it is whisper quiet. They are occupied with putters and golf balls instead of water balloons this summer.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT JACKSON,S.C. -- During our recent Torchlight Tattoo event " which, by the way, was again a tremendous success " I was reminded about something that we dare not take for granted: Our neighbors from Columbia and the surrounding communities are very important to the Fort Jackson family.

Jul 14, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- In an era where war seems to be a constant fixation, American patriotism is the mere fabric that knits our country together. Patriotism emulates an ideology that reminds us of those men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice all in the name of duty and country.

Jul 12, 2011

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama during a historic ceremony in the east room of the White House today.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has a new home on Fort Jackson dedicated to helping service members and their family members become U.S. citizens.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Fort Jackson community is in for a real treat. The Basic Combat Training museum has re-opened and is something to behold. The official ribbon cutting was held last Friday, and I was proud to be able to show off our new museum to some of our community leaders.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- After two years of renovations, the Fort Jackson Basic Combat Training Museum reopened Friday.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- As part of a DoD-wide effort to consolidate email services for all users, Fort Jackson is scheduled to migrate its users’ email accounts starting in August.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Thousands of Soldiers and families came together to celebrate America’s birthday at Fort Jackson’s annual Torchlight Tattoo event Friday at Hilton Field hosted by the Soldier Support Institute.

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- I knew we were watching too much television when my son grabbed the remote control, handed it to me and shouted, “Woohoo! TV!”

Jul 7, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- As a drill sergeant with the 120th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception), Staff Sgt. Jose Pacheco’s job is to introduce new Soldiers to life in the Army. Eight years ago, Pacheco was one of those Soldiers, going through inprocessing at Fort Sill, Okla. Unlike most of his peers, though, the Puerto Rico native spoke only Spanish.

Jul 6, 2011

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Starting in July, the Exceptional Family Member Program is standardizing and streamlining the process for delivering respite care to eligible Families in need of support.

Jun 30, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- As we again prepare to celebrate Torchlight Tattoo Friday with a spectacular fireworks display and a 282nd Army Band concert, I am reminded of the remarkable teamwork that takes place each year in making our Independence Day tribute. This event is always successful thanks to the hard work and dedication of countless Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians across Fort Jackson.

Jun 30, 2011

Egyptian Army Maj. Sherif Awadallah said he arrived at Fort Jackson after completing his 32-hour trip from Egypt expecting to see Americans as they appear in movies.

Jun 30, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- To many people, summer means trips to the beach, backyard barbecues and fun activities. To military members, it also means peak season for being on the move.

Jun 30, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Each Friday night, the 187th Ordnance Battalion classroom is filled with coffee, cookies, Bibles and smiling Soldiers. This weekly Fortress Coffeehouse service is one of the many ways that chaplains appeal to the needs of Soldiers-in-training at Fort Jackson.

Jun 30, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For two hours Saturday, audience members at the Solomon Center watched as the 15 competitors in the post’s inaugural Natural Fitness and Bodybuilding Competition took to the stage and well, flexed their muscles.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Last week, after 10 years of the beret, the patrol cap became the official headgear of the Army Combat Uniform again. But, Fort Jackson Soldiers should not pack away their berets so quickly.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Let me start out by stating how proud I am that Fort Jackson last week had the opportunity to host the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant of the Year competition.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- At one point in our lives or careers, each of us have benefited by having someone serve as a mentor. Mentors influence our views and subsequently shape our lives.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- When school officials from Fort Jackson, Richland 1 and Richland 2 school districts and Shaw Air Force Base came together last week at C.C. Pinckney Elementary School, they did not discuss questions of academics or extracurricular school programs.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson’s annual Torchlight Tattoo event is scheduled for July 1 at Hilton Field.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- By this time next week, for the first time in nearly three decades, Col. Jeffrey Sanderson, Fort Jackson’s chief of staff, will wake up and not know what to wear.

Jun 23, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Tucked away in a little office at the Hilton Field Softball Complex, away from the hustle and bustle of the cantonment area, the two-woman staff of the Fort Jackson Sports Office plans and coordinates the installation’s intramural sports events. In addition to offering familiar sports staples like flag football, basketball and softball, the Sports Office puts on events like the strongman competition or the darts league.

Jun 23, 2011

Museum ready to reopen after two years.

Jun 16, 2011

Fort Jackson celebrated the outstanding contributions of military fathers in its inaugural Fatherhood Recognition Ceremony at the Solomon Center Tuesday.

Jun 16, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For the first time, the TRADOC Drill Sergeant of the Year competition is taking place at Fort Jackson. Contestant have undergone a variety of physical and mental tasks to be named the top among drill sergeants. The winner will be announced Friday in a 9 a.m. ceremony.

Jun 16, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- As summer officially begins Tuesday, more and more families will be heading out for weekend trips and water excursions.

Jun 16, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For the first time in more than a decade, all the components of the Army Substance Abuse Program will be located together starting next week. The program’s clinical section, which is responsible for offering treatment, was previously located at Moncrief Army Community Hospital, while the preventive program was located on Sumter Road. ASAP’s new offices will be at 9810 Lee Road.

Jun 16, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Adjutant General Corps celebrated its second annual Regimental Week with a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and unveiling of the first regimental print on Friday at the Soldier Support Institute Auditorium.

Jun 16, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The 160 chaplains and chaplain candidates in the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course sat in awe when 91-year-old Moffatt Burris spoke to them recently at the Army Chaplain Center and School.

Jun 16, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Summer, as you all know, officially begins Tuesday, but the “101 Days of Summer” " the way that our safety experts view the season " began with Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.

Jun 9, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For the first time in the competition’s history, the Army’s six top drill sergeants will converge on Fort Jackson next week to compete for the title of TRADOC’s Drill Sergeant of the Year.

Jun 9, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- While the Columbia Blowfish baseball team took time to show its appreciation for Fort Jackson’s Soldiers, community members and post leaders took time to renew their commitment to work together.

Jun 9, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- They started out as classmates in the Sergeants Major Academy and now retired Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph LaPlante and Sgt. Maj. Marty Boyd-Green are the newest inductees in the Recruiting and Retention Hall of Fame.

Jun 9, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- It would be an overstatement to say that I was so excited I couldn’t sleep, but the party definitely had me amped.

Jun 8, 2011

In the latest edition of Victory Update, see how the Chaplain Corps is honoring its own who made the ultimate sacrifice, plus meet the newest inductees into the Recruiting and Retention School Hall of Fame and it's fun at the old ballpark as the Columbia Blowfish salute our troops.

Jun 8, 2011

For more than 1,000 rising high school seniors, the Summer Leaders Seminar was a weeklong exploration of the academic, athletic and military opportunities at West Point. Established by the West Point Admissions Office in 1976, SLS is a total immersion experience into what life as a cadet is like, led by the cadets themselves.

Jun 8, 2011

The Army kicked off its largest network field exercise to date, with more than 3,800 Soldiers taking part.

Jun 2, 2011

Fort Jackson remembered fallen service members during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday at the Andrew Jackson statue in the Gate 1 traffic circle.

Jun 2, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School has long been proud of its instructors, who turn out many successful chaplains and chaplain assistants without much fanfare. But sometimes an exceptional member of the staff will bring attention to the organization, allowing all its members to bask in the glow of excellence.

Jun 2, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- In this age of up-to-the-minute Tweets and Facebook status updates, some are left disappointed when the same connectivity can’t be achieved in the job-searching arena.

Jun 2, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Finding a unit or organization on Fort Jackson these days may not be as easy as looking at a post map. A flurry of construction and renovation projects has led to a number of relocations " some of them necessitated by the need for more space, others by required renovations.

Jun 2, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Douglas L. Carver, Army chief of chaplains, spoke Wednesday as the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School here held a dedication for its memorial garden. The garden features a wall of remembrance that holds the names of the chaplains and chaplain assistants who died in service to their country.

Jun 2, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. --Memorial Day has come and gone, and I am hoping that all of you have taken time to reflect on our fallen military members. That’s what Memorial Day is all about, even though it’s labeled as the unofficial beginning of summer.

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Parents, students, staff and other visitors were transported around the world during Pierce Terrace Elementary School’s annual International Day event Friday.

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Although they come from different backgrounds, they share the same goal, to become a certified South Carolina master naturalist. And the on-post field trip Friday provided by Fort Jackson’s Wildlife Branch brought 12 adult students one step closer to achieving their goal.

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson supports about 46,000 retirees who make their home in the Midlands. And while the post provides numerous opportunities for retirees to gather, such as last week’s Retiree Appreciation Days event, it is sometimes difficult to capture each of their unique stories.

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Past, present and future Soldiers were honored during Fort Jackson’s combined Retiree Appreciation Days and Armed Forces Day activities Friday and Saturday. The celebration included golf, bowling and bingo competitions, a ceremony at Hilton Field and a health and benefits expo at the Solomon Center

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For the second year in a row, Brian Jones with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, took home the title in the overall male category of the 2011 Strongman in the post competition.

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- More than 50 military and civilian motorcycle riders took advantage of the sunny weather Tuesday to embark on a 17-mile ride around Fort Jackson. The ride was part of this year’s Victory Thunder Motorcycle Rally at the Solomon Center. The annual event invites bikers to learn about motorcycle safety, enjoy camaraderie and participate in a bike show.

May 26, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- After witnessing a horrendous month of tornado outbreaks across the South as recent as this week, we easily realize just how devastating weather can be and how important it is to be adequately prepared for severe storms.

May 19, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson will celebrate Retiree Appreciation Days and Armed Forces Day with combined events, starting Friday.

May 19, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For Sgt. Jason McKeough, the question was not if he would serve in the military, but what branch he would choose.

May 19, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The other day, my son said four little words that broke through my cool faAfASade and nearly had me running for the tissues. "Where did Daddy go'"

May 19, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson Soldiers, civilians and family members came together at the Solomon Center Tuesday to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

May 19, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Every spring, we see it: As the temperatures go up, the number of motorcycles on the road increases. Unfortunately, we also see through trend analysis that excessive speed, reckless operation and operator inexperience kill our Soldiers.

May 19, 2011

What worried Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Trescott most was breathing. With an altitude of more than 6,000 feet above sea level, breathing in Colorado Spring, Colo., requires faster, deeper breaths than breathing in Columbia, S.C.

May 18, 2011

Joint Security Station Hussayniyah was officially transferred to Iraqi government authority in a ceremony held here, May 14, 2011.

May 18, 2011

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today announced the framework for a comprehensive review of military spending designed to put national security needs ahead of arbitrary budget cuts.

May 13, 2011

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Keeping hands sanitized and clean, cleaning up messes and personal hygiene all sound incidental when Soldiers are training to fight. But as field sanitation officer for Company C, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, Staff Sgt. Jamie Woods did all that, and more, leading her company to being recognized as having the best field sanitation programs in the brigade.

May 12, 2011

Military spouses will be recognized Monday on Fort Jackson during Military Spouse Appreciation Day.