Military commanders from across South Carolina lauded the Palmetto State's support for Service members during a meeting with the state's second highest elected official, Dec. 2 in Columbia, South Carolina.
Maj. Gen. John "Pete" Johnson, Fort Jackson's 50th commander, told Lt. Governor Henry D. McMaster the installation was "not an island" and enjoys its relationships with the surrounding communities.
The meeting with state officials is an annual event put on by the South Carolina Military Base Task Force to help educate civilian leadership on the opportunities and challenges facing military installations across the state.
"While we are certainly proud of what we deliver for the nation's defense and the second order of economic benefits we provide our community, we are very mindful of what we rely on to make it all happen," Johnson said to the gathering of military commanders and state civic leaders during the meeting.
It is estimated that Fort Jackson brings $2.2 billion in revenue into the state each year.
He said two-thirds of Fort Jackson's Families live off post in a community that educate the installation's children and provides first responders and medical services through the myriad of hospitals in the Midlands.
"We protect our installation and our Families through comprehensive threat information sharing through local, state and federal agencies," he added.
Johnson also said the military needs to be connected with its local communities.
"Fort Jackson is very fortunate to reside in the most military-friendly community in the state," he said. "We are proud of the almost 100 year bond that we share … a partnership that supports the training over 5 million Soldiers ready to defend our nation."
Other commanders echoed Johnson's sentiments.
Army Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston, the adjutant general of South Carolina, lauded the communities' support of its National Guardsmen and the "great partnership" with the active duty military throughout the state.
Marine Brig. Gen. Austin Renforth, commander of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, said the state was so military-friendly that Marines wanted to stay in the community.
He said it initially felt unreal how well community members treated Service members. "Over time it was real. These people are that genuine. That is why so many of our Marines who come to Parris Island never leave."
"I never thought that I'd see in my 34 years" a community that is not trying just to make money off Service members, he added.
Marine Col. Peter D. Buck, commander of the Marine Corps Air Station -- Beaufort, added that the support South Carolina showed in helping move Marines affected by the recent hurricane that it "gets it."
The commander from the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina said the base was "fully invested in the state."
"I can say of our local partnerships -- there are none finer," said Air Force Col. Daniel T. Lasica.
The tight community bond the Palmetto State share with the military community extends to the Coast Guard as well.
"I have been stationed in many places during my 25 year career, but I haven't seen any other place in the country with the strong working relationships we have in South Carolina with state and local agencies," said Coast Guard Capt. Gary Tomasulo, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston. "Those partnerships are critical."
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