Fort Jackson’s Future

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C., — 2014 has cleared an exciting path for the beginning of a new fiscal year for the post. To date more than 70 thousand soldiers are trained at the facility each year, making it the largest training site in the united states. Not to mention one of the most profitable. With more than 200 thousand visitors a year during graduations Fort jJckson is contributing more than 2 billion dollars to South Carolina’s economy annually. That said, that’s still not General Bradley Becker’s primary concern. ” What’s been important to me and what i’ve tried to focus on isn’t the numbers but really about the quality of the soldiers and leaders we’re producing.” While Fort Jackson’s training and leader development has always been a top priority over the past year they’ve implemented even more. Specifically, command outreach to be a more intrical part of the community. ” We’ve really worked hard to connect with the local community here to stay connected. ” And so far it appears their doing a good job. hosting team building workshops similar to this one here Columbia City council members took part in back in February. They also volunteer at various sites like Harvest Hope Food bank and have their 282nd Band work with local youth interested in learning more about music. But while 2015 is on course, general becker says 20-16 could see sizeable downsizing that could have an inadvertent effect on business as usual. “We’re talking about brigade leadership going away, battalion leadership being drastically reduced and some of the company General Becker says actions that could risk the ability to provide sufficient command to many young soldiers that right now are proving they’re willing to follow, as long as they have someone in place to lead.