JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (Aug. 9, 2022) - Brig. Gen. David Gardner, commander of Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk, visited Soldiers of America’s First Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) to showcase career-advancing opportunities at the Louisiana installation.
“We need talented Soldiers at JRTC and Fort Polk,” said Gardner. “In addition to being a Quality of Life installation, our Soldiers go on to succeed in future assignments by learning from the mistakes and successes of units that train here.”
JRTC and Fort Polk's mission is to train Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) and Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB) to conduct large-scale operations on a decisive action battlefield against a near-peer threat with multi-domain capabilities.
“Most people’s experience with Fort Polk is either from rotations or word of mouth,” said Gardner. “Yes, it gets hot and humid, but we are investing in many programs for our Soldiers and their families. We are one of four Quality of Life installations in the U.S. Army, so there’s no shortage of amenities or recreation.”
With over 100 ongoing projects, JRTC and Fort Polk have the opportunity to provide a wide range of amenities and activities such as hunting, fishing and a selection of indoor pastimes. Day trips to major cities are also convenient as most are within a 2-hour drive.
Gardner went on to discuss schooling and housing on the installation.
“Our local school districts ranked in the top 5 among Army installation schools for math and reading proficiency and ACT performance,” said Gardner. “We also have $92M invested into privatized housing. There’s also virtually no waiting for a house during a Soldier’s PCS.”
Additional Quality of Life initiatives include an emphasis on spouse employment, access to medical care and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) opportunities.
“Soldiers here are more than a number; they are a name,” said Gardner. “In a tight-knit community like ours, we cultivate a culture of caring for people while building readiness.”
Soldiers interested in more information about career-enhancing opportunities or quality of life at JRTC and Fort Polk can visit the installation’s website at https://home.army.mil/polk/.
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