5-7 p.m., Auto Crafts Center. Prepare first-time driver’s to properly care for a vehicle. Basic automotive skills will be covered in this two-part course. Limited space available, ages 14 and older, $30 per class, class includes oil change on students’ family vehicle. For more information or to register, 751-5755 or 7061.
Jun17
Army Birthday Relay Race
Jun 17, 2023, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
7 a.m., U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy. Celebrate the Army’s Birthday with a tradition relay race with teams of four. This is a Commander’s Cup event. For more information call 751-5869 or 3096.
Jun24
1,000 lbs. Club Competition
Jun 24, 2023, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
8 a.m., Vanguard Gym. Test your strength levels. If you love to lift, why not compete in the sport of weightlifting in the 1,000 lbs. Club competition? For more information call 751-3700.
Jun24
Cars and Coffee
Jun 24, 2023, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Auto enthusiasts come together in the Fort Jackson Auto Craft Shop parking lot the fourth Saturday of every month to show off their rides. The event is brought by the Fort Jackson Auto Craft Shop and the 512 Trolley Cafe. For more information, call 751-5755.
Jul01
Independence Day Fireworks Celebration
Jul 1, 2023, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Hilton Field. Gates open at 4 p.m. Enjoy an exciting variety of food trucks and children’s carnival rides, live music, beer tents and of course, fireworks. This event is free to enter and open to the public.
Jul06
Post Newcomers Orientation
Jul 6, 2023, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
8 a.m. NCO Club. This orientation is mandatory for all Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians arriving at Fort Jackson. Spouses are encouraged to attend. This will be a great opportunity for spouses to receive first-hand information about the valuable available resources on and around Fort Jackson. There will be no on-site childcare for this event. Please note, everyone in attendance will be required to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status, and will adhere to safe social distancing practices. For additional information, call Army Community Service at 751-5256.
Jul22
Cars and Coffee
Jul 22, 2023, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Auto enthusiasts come together in the Fort Jackson Auto Craft Shop parking lot the fourth Saturday of every month to show off their rides. The event is brought by the Fort Jackson Auto Craft Shop and the 512 Trolley Cafe. For more information, call 751-5755.
Jul29
Natural Body Building Competition
Jul 29, 2023, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
6 p.m., Solomon Center. You’ve worked hard through proper diet and exercise to sculpt your body. Reap the rewards of your hard work. Divisions available for competition are Men’s Natural Builder, Men’s Natural Physique, Women’s Natural Builder, Women’s Natural Physique, Women’s Bikini, Masters’ Natural 41-49, and Grand Master Natural 50+. Cost to compete is $75. Register by June 15. For more information call 751-3700.
Aug03
Post Newcomers Orientation
Aug 3, 2023, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
8 a.m. NCO Club. This orientation is mandatory for all Soldiers and Department of the Army Civilians arriving at Fort Jackson. Spouses are encouraged to attend. This will be a great opportunity for spouses to receive first-hand information about the valuable available resources on and around Fort Jackson. There will be no on-site childcare for this event. Please note, everyone in attendance will be required to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status, and will adhere to safe social distancing practices. For additional information, call Army Community Service at 751-5256.
Aug26
Cars and Coffee
Aug 26, 2023, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Auto enthusiasts come together in the Fort Jackson Auto Craft Shop parking lot the fourth Saturday of every month to show off their rides. The event is brought by the Fort Jackson Auto Craft Shop and the 512 Trolley Cafe. For more information, call 751-5755.
Army Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Thomas L. Solhjem along with Fort Jackson Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly; Deputy Chief of Chaplains and USA-IRL Director, Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) William Green; Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for South Carolina, Mr. Kevin Shwedo; USA-IRL Commandant and Deputy Director, Chaplain (Col.) James Palmer, Jr.; USA-IRL Command Sergeant Major Evelin Montealegre; and Chaplain Corps Regimental Sergeant Major Meaghan Bicklein cut the ribbon outside at the entrance to the building on June 1. (Photo by Mel Slater)
Chaplain Corps officially opens the Institute for Religious Leadership
Story, photo by Mel Slater, Institute for Religious Leadership
Greek philosopher Heraclitus is given credit for the quote that says, “The only constant in life is change.”
The U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony on the campus grounds, June 1. The institute was formally known as the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School. All Army chaplains and religious affairs specialists are trained at the institute.
“The U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School and our association with TRADOC began in 1973. That’s a long time and it served a purpose. I don’t want us to leave here today with this USACHCS being a bad thing, no. Let’s just give it up for The U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School.” said Army Chief of Chaplains, Chap. (Maj. Gen.) Thomas L. Solhjem during his program remarks. “It was a change that was needed for the future’s sake. For generations that would follow. With USA-IRL, this is may be our 1973 moment.”
The change was a long time coming. Change requires patience.
The initiative to transform the Chaplain School began in 2016. The Office of the Chief of Chaplains began taking steps to reform the Chaplain Corps to meet Army readiness needs in support of Force 2025 and beyond.
The IRL was established to meet the new challenges.
The ribbon cutting portion of the ceremony was held outside with the rest of the ceremony held inside due to the weather.
Solhjem along with Fort Jackson Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly; Deputy Chief of Chaplains and IRL Director, Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) William Green; Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for South Carolina, Kevin Shwedo; Commandant and IRL Deputy Director, Chaplain (Col.) James Palmer, Jr.; IRL Command Sgt. Maj. Evelin Montealegre; and Chaplain Corps Regimental Sgt. Maj. Meaghan Bicklein cut the ribbon outside at the building entrance.
“This place, we cut the ribbon just a few minutes ago, but this place really is designed as a campus and more than a collection of buildings.” Green said to those in attendance. “This campus represents a commitment to excellence and a dedication to supporting the spiritual well-being and readiness of the Army’s people. And it is a place where we will nurture the next generation of religious leaders.”
Kelly spoke about the importance of the chaplain in the units he commanded.
“Chaplains come here to develop and master the skills they’ll need to support the commanders they’ll advise,” Kelly said. “I’ve been a commander in 10 of the last 13 years. And I’ve yet to lead an organization where the Unit Ministry Team was not vital to unit success. This leadership lab, this institute is no different. It’s here that we’ll craft the leaders who will bring out the best in their unit and their Soldiers.”
Shwedo, guest speaker for the event, said this is more than a name change. Shwedo, is also a retired Army officer with 32 years of service and was the Army Training Center at Fort Jackson deputy commander.
“Are we going to go ahead and take what was, a general course on soldierization skills and take it to the next level which is religious leadership?” Shwedo said. “I will tell you from my perspective this will be the most significant change that we have seen in a lifetime because it’s a mindset change, it’s not just the change of a school, it’s a mindset change. Are we going to establish a common baseline of values that permeate the Army? Because I will tell you that our values come from you guys, period, end of report.”
