You are a new Army recruit, seconds away from stepping off the bus at Fort Jackson to begin Basic Training. As you stare into the night sky your mind starts racing. When do I get my haircut; how short is it really going to be? Where do I get my uniform? When will I get to call home to let them know I arrived safely?
The bus comes to a slow stop. The bus door creaks open, and chaos begins. You instantly hear loud commands penetrating the air. There is no time to think- you follow the orders to line up. This is your first step into military life.
A Drill Sergeant yells for you to start marching towards one of the many large buildings ahead. Unbeknownst to you at the time, these buildings were built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Fort Jackson, the largest U.S. Army basic training center, trains roughly 60% of all soldiers, totaling around 50,000 Soldiers per year. To maintain this vital military installation, USACE helps construct and maintain base facilities.
USACE has helped with Fort Jackson’s infrastructure for decades. In the 1960s, the Savannah District built the initial Reception Battalion training complex, where Army recruits spend their first week completing in-processing. After overseeing the installation for many years, the Savannah District transferred responsibility for Fort Jackson over to the Charleston District in 2008. Shortly after, Fort Jackson was assessed, and it was determined that these existing buildings were in desperate need of repair. Renovations on the Reception Battalions six barracks started in 2012.
After completing renovations on all six barracks, the Charleson District was awarded Phase One of the Reception Battalion in 2021. This phase includes the Clothing Initial Issue Point (CIIP) Warehouse, where recruits get issued their first set of Army gear, and the Dining Facility (DFAC), where they eat all their meals in the first week. Both critical buildings recruits often visit during in-processing.
In 2024, the Charleston District was awarded $159.6 million for Reception Battalion Phase Two. This was a huge accomplishment not only because of the project size, but also since it was the largest Army Military Contract awarded in 2024. This phase includes a building where in-processing and medical functions take place, an optical fabrication lab, and a new barracks building. Currently in the design process, phase two is projected to begin in 2025 and will take roughly 5 years to construct. Once complete, the Reception Battalion Complex at Fort Jackson will be up to date for the 21st century.
“These are all impressive buildings, all within budget- we should be proud” Nancy Jenkins Design Branch Chief Engineering with the Charleston District said.
Each element of these projects plays a vital role in shaping the future of our Nation’s fighting force. The Reception Battalion is the starting point for nearly half of all Army recruits, it is where they spend their entire first week. The next generation of America’s Warfighters starts at Fort Jackson, where USACE plays a vital role. This training center starts the transformation of ordinary recruits into extraordinary Soldiers. No matter where their enlisted Army career takes them, every recruit deserves to feel a sense of pride in the place where their journey begins.
Fort Jackson plays a key role in developing the next generation of Soldiers, and USACE is helping to transform the base to meet future needs. As Phase One wraps up and Phase Two begins, these improvements will lay the groundwork for the success and readiness of tomorrow’s Soldiers.