Although security on Fort Jackson remains paramount, local citizens were invited to "Come See Your Army" with a tour Feb. 16.
The visits are conducted several times a year to give the local community a glimpse of military life on Fort Jackson.
The tour began when participants boarded a bus and were transported to 120th Adjutant General Reception Battalion where they received a boisterous welcome by Staff Sgt. David Head, a drill sergeant assigned to Delta Company, 120th Adjutant General Reception Battalion.
"Fort Jackson is the Army's largest initial entry training site. The fort has trained Soldiers for almost 100 years and this June is when Congress designated Fort Jackson's existence, so we will celebrate
our 100th anniversary June 2," said Col. Mark Shade, Fort Jackson's deputy commander, to the group at the beginning of the tour. "Approximately 5 million Service members have come through here to train and fight the nation's wars."
Participants were able to get an up-close and personal experience when they tried on the Improved Outer Tactical Vest that are worn during combat.
"This is heavier than it looks," said Noah Rogers after lifting the body armor with ballistic plates.
After finding out what happens on Fort Jackson, the attendees got an opportunity to be special guests at 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment's Basic Combat Training graduation where the U.S. Army Drill Team performed.
Alley Irizarry, who attended the tour with her son and his friends who are all high
school juniors, said seeing the graduation with the U.S. Army drill team was an added plus.
"My son is really enjoying this tour, he and his friends love martial arts and all things military," Irizarry said.
The group also observed Soldiers training, dined in a facility with Soldiers, received a walk- through of a Basic Combat Training living quarters, and received hands-on experience on the state-of-the-art weapons simulator.
During the BCT barracks stop, Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment drill sergeants, Staff Sgt. Brandie Jackson demonstrated how to properly make a bed and Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Schnell answered any questions the guests had about BCT.
"These tours are a great recruiting tool" said Schnell.
Head agrees with Schnell.
"The tours should be done more often for civic leaders so they can see exactly what Soldiers are getting into and so they can see the entire process of preparing a Soldier for BCT."
The Fort Jackson "Come See Your Army" tours are an outreach initiative to educate the community about Basic Combat Training, the various missions of the installation, and how we as neighbors impact one another.
The tours are free and participants see why "Victory Starts Here." The next tour is scheduled for May
18, to sign up contact Jennifer Stride at jennifer.l.stride.civ@mail.mil.
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