10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aachen Range off Golden Arrow Road. Shooters can shoot at targets between 25m and 200m. Paper targets, spotting scopes, tables and chairs are provided. Patrons can shoot rifle or pistol at a day rate or an hourly rate. Pre-register at MWR Central: $25 per person for all day (4 hours), $10 per person per hour (pre-register), $15 per person per hour (day onsite/cash only). Ensure all weapons are registered on post. No automatic weapons or .50 cal. allowed. Age 12 and up. 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Open to all authorized ID card holders. For more information, call (803) 751-3484.
Oct13
No More Bullying seminar
Oct 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
11 a.m. to noon, MS Teams. Fort Jackson’s Army Community Service is hosting a No More Bullying seminar. The guest speaker for the event is Jamesha Williams. For more information and to sign up, call (803) 751-5256.
Oct19
Community Blood Drive
Oct 19, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Moncrief Multipurpose Room 4th Floor. Come out and donate blood. Volunteers are asked to go to RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to streamline their appointments. For more information, call (803) 751-2291.
Oct21
Wellness Wednesday
Oct 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
10-11 a.m., MS Teams. Join us to better understand and manage anger, improve communication and build healthier ways of responding to stress and conflict.For more information, call (803) 751-5256.
Oct22
EFMP Outing to the State Fair
Oct 22, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
10 a.m. to noon, South Carolina State Fairgrounds. Join us for a group outing to the state fair! Children and adults with sensory and processing disorders are welcome to enter the fairgrounds up to one hour before the gates open and participate in sensory friendly morning at the fair. For more information, call (803) 751-5256.
Oct23
CYS Fall Fest
Oct 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
6-8 p.m., Youth Sports Complex. Come join us for Child and Youth Services annual Fall Festival. There will be games, craft, bounce houses, food trucks and more. For more information, call (803) 751-6990.
Oct24
Fall Family Camp Out
Oct 24, 2026, 8:00 PM – Oct 25, 2026, 10:00 AM
4 p.m. to 10 a.m., Twin Lakes. Outdoor Recreation is hosting our Spring Family Campout at Twin Lakes Park. This is family-friendly overnight primitive camping event. For more information, call (803) 751-6990.
Oct30
Garrison Organizational Day
Oct 30, 2026, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Noon to 4 p.m., Twin Lakes Recreation Area. Garrison directorates will be at minimal staffing Oct. 20 so employees can participate in an organizational day. Civilian employees are highly encouraged to attend.
Nov06
First Friday Golf
Nov 6, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
9 a.m., Fort Jackson Golf Club. Come join First Friday Golf, the first Friday of every month! You may enter your own team or sign up as a single and the FJGC PGA Professionals will pair you with a group. Entry fee is $45 for FJGC members and $55 for non-members. The entry fee includes applicable greens fee, user Fee, cart, prizes, and a boxed lunch. For more information, or tor register, call (803) 562-4437.
Nov17
Shred Day
Nov 17, 2026, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Recycle Center. Come shred documents with sensitive information. All types of paper with sensitive information will be accepted, but no classified documents. Shredding papers with your personal information provides a level of insurance against identity theft and misuse. For more information, call (803) 751-4208.
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Hector Rodriguezpabon accepts the U.S. Army Garrison - Fort Jackson colors from Col. David Gaugush, garrison commander, during a ceremony where he took responsibility for the unit from Command Sgt. Maj. Brie Kotula.
Fort Jackson bids farewell to commanding general
Photo and story by Robert Timmons, Fort Jackson Public Affairs
U.S. Army Garrison – Fort Jackson bid farewell to one senior enlisted advisor and welcomed another during a ceremony held Oct. 6 at Victory Field.
Command Sgt. Maj. Brie Kotula passed responsibility for Fort Jackson’s garrison to Command Sgt. Maj. Hector Rodriguezpabon during the ceremony.
The ceremony is an enactment of a 251-year-old Army tradition steeped in time-honored values and traditions. The key part of the ceremony is the passing of the unit colors symbolizing the seamless transfer of responsibility and unwavering care for Soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians, and families of the garrison.
Col. David Gaugush, garrison commander, lauded Kotula for her efforts to help the Fort Jackson community.
“I could count on your candor,” he said. “You were always steadfast in your commitment to the mission, and your first thought was always concerning our garrison teammates. you stayed true to who you are as a person and a professional, always.
“As a Garrison CSM, you’ve been involved in a wide range of actions and events and accomplishments, but that all quickly fades with time. Your legacy and what is truly important is how you impacted the lives around you, and everything else just pales in comparison.”
He added she was a prime example of how to lead and to teach others – through coaching and validation.
“That’s how you develop people,” he said. “That’s what we expect of our (noncommissioned officer) corps. You don’t make them dependent on you. You teach them. You trust them, and then you give them the confidence to stand on their own. And Brie did that for people across this organization. Sometimes that leadership showed up in much more personal ways.”
Kotula, who is retiring and becoming a Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy, said she was humbled by her experiences.
“Standing here today,” she said, “I find myself filled with a mix of immense gratitude, a touch of nostalgia, profound pride as I look across the crowd and see the people who have made the last few years the highlight of my career …
“When people think of the Army, they often picture boots in the dirt, tactical gear, and field training, but as a garrison CSM, you quickly learn that an installation is like a city, and running a city requires a different kind of dedication. To the incredible directorates, the leaders, the Soldiers, and especially our DA civilians and workforce, thank you. You are truly the heartbeat of this installation.”
She added she felt confident that her successor will prosper in his new role.
“Hector, you are inheriting on of the best installations in the Army, backed by an unmatched team,” Kotula said. “Handing over the guidon today gives me complete peace of mind and knowing you are stepping into the role. Lean on the civilian directors, trust your instincts, and take care of the workforce. They will take care of you …”
Rodriguezpabon is no stranger to Fort Jackson as he completed Basic Combat Training here on his way to being a 92A – Automated Logistical Specialist. He has served in every leadership position an enlisted Soldier can during his more than 23 years in the Army. He comes to Fort Jackson from the 87th Division Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
“Fort Jackson is where my story began,” he said. “It is where I was forged. To return here now, 23 years later, as your garrison command sergeant major is an honor of a lifetime.”
He told his new boss that he was looking forward to working with him.
“As your senior enlisted advisor,” he said to Gaugush, “I’m committed to working shoulder to shoulder with you every single day to ensure this installation remains a premier platform for power projection training and quality of life.” He also thanked Kotula for the groundwork she paved with the unit.
“Thank you for your exceptional stewardship, your energy, and the standard of excellence you establish across the Fort Jackson footprint,” he said. “You have left large boots to fill, but because of the foundation you and your team build, we are positioned for continued success.”
Finally, he thanked the garrison for its work in helping make American Soldiers.
“To the men and women of U.S. Army Garrison - Fort Jackson, the Soldiers, Civilians, contractors, and volunteers, you are the engine behind everything that happens here,” he said. “I look forward to visiting your work areas and offices, getting to know each of you, and continuing to build this exceptional team.
