85° Partly Cloudy 
Spotlight
E Newsletter
Columbia offers a wide range of recreation; exciting attractions and spectator sports; and top-notch meeting facilities.
Fort Jackson
Attending Graduation at Fort Jackson?
Whether you're a veteran on a sentimental journey, a soldier at Fort Jackson, or a family looking for hot summer fun, sample our historic city. Explore the museums at Fort Jackson or other attractions on post. Enjoy our world-class zoo and one of the largest children's museums in the world. Many Columbia attractions and hotels offer military discounts, coupons and special offers, listed below.
Refer to the navigation down the left side of the website for helpful information in planning your visit. Browse our website for information about things to see and do, hotels to stay in and around Columbia, SC.
As you browse the listings on this website, be sure to look for the Richland Northeast/Fort Jackson and the Columbia Southeast/Fort Jackson regions, most convenient to Fort Jackson.
For more information, browse our Fort Jackson resources on graduation and the Columbia area.
For information about Fort Jackson graduation, please visit Fort Jackson's official website at http://www.jackson.army.mil.
About Fort Jackson
It's quite likely most who've served in the United States armed forces have warm memories of Columbia's Fort Jackson. The Fort, encompassing more than 52,000 acres east of Columbia, is the largest and most active Initial Entry Training Center in the United States Army, providing training to 50 percent of all the Army's Basic Combat Training load and 55 percent of all female soldiers entering the Army.
The fort's acreage includes more than 50 ranges, 1,000 buildings, and more than 43,000 soldiers are trained here each year. In the 2011 fiscal year, the Fort trained 36,000 Basic Combat Training (BCT) and 8,000 Advanced Individual Training (AIT) soldiers. An additional 19,000 soldiers attend the Soldier Support Institute, Chaplain Center, Polygraph School and Drill Sergeant School.
Thirty six hundred active duty soldiers and their 11,520 family members are assigned to the installation and make Columbia their home. Fort Jackson employs 3,500 military and 3,500 civilian workers and provides services for more than 46,000 military retirees of all branches and their family members. Several museums located onsite are open to the public and describe America's military history and trace Fort Jackson's contribution to America's military strength.
More than 100,000 family members visit Columbia each year to attend Thursday morning basic training graduation, a stirringly patriotic event that takes place 41 times during the year.
For additional information about the Friends of Our Forces program, contact Susan McPherson at the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce at smcpherson@columbiachamber or 803.733.1148.
Military Discounts
Accommodations / Lodging
Call the hotel at 803-760-1700 to book our special Ft. Jackson graduation rate! We are only 5 minutes from Post and include breakfast and high speed internet!
Military Discount to anyone providing valid Military ID
Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott Columbia NortheastThe Fairfield Inn & Suites will honor the per diem of $85.00 to any guest showing valid Military ID at check-in. Call 803-760-1700 now to book your room under this rate!
Military discount of $85.00/night + taxPresent military ID at check-in.
Military will recieve discounted rate per the Federal Per Diem rate.
The Whitney Hotel takes great pride in our ability to accommodate our government & military traveler's. Whether you are visiting Fort Jackson or our local government offices, we are pleased...
Dining/Nightlife
Present military ID and receive 5% off your entire food purchase! Great spot for friends and families with a variety of food choices for everyone. Valid at any of our 11 Columbia locations; no printed...
Shopping
10% discount on regular priced merchandise for active military personel.
Find more discounts and special offers on our Hot Deals page.
