Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson is a sprawling military base east of Columbia, South Carolina. With the impending entry of America into World War I, city fathers recognized the country's need for military training camps and made a successful proposal to the US Army for construction of a camp near Columbia.  Camp Jackson soon became the home of the famous 81st "Wildcat" Division and, later, the 5th Infantry Division.  Today, Fort Jackson is the Army's premier basic training installation, responsible for over 50 percent of Army trainees each year.