NEWS

These changes are aimed at helping prevent COVID-19 spread by increasing the social distance on the installation. Fort Jackson has already begun hosting virtual community town halls; instituted new ID card procedures at all access points; cancelled or modified Family Day and graduation; and implemented improved screening procedures for recruits and trainees.

Though the post has not experienced a case of COVID-19, Fort Jackson began rolling out a response it spent weeks planning. This plan includes disseminating accurate information and taking steps to reduce the virus' effects on the post and its mission.

As Fort Jackson community members celebrated Ash Wednesday Feb. 26, they were also taking part in another tradition associated with the Big Easy - Fat Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. Ethan Spurr and his Family were named Fort Jackson's Family of the Year during a ceremony at the NCO Club Feb. 28. Spurr, a drill sergeant with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, and his wife: Amanda, and their daughters, Audree and Eliza, took home the honor over five other Families.

The Freddie Stowers' Complex is home to all single Soldiers from private to sergeant on Fort Jackson. It is made up of eight different barracks buildings, with junior enlisted personnel sharing a bathroom and kitchenette, and non-commissioned officers residing in a private suite.

Twenty-six Fort Jackson Soldiers earned the right to wear the Expert Soldier Badge after testing last week. The testing was a first for the installation.

For the past couple of years, military quarters under the management of private housing companies have been under scrutiny. Changes are now being made to entice Soldiers, retirees and their Families to make on-post housing on Fort Jackson their first choice.

The simple answer was obvious ... A Million Step Challenge. Leverage what our workforce was already doing for their own personal reasons and the intrinsic motivation that already existed within each individual.