South Carolina loves the military and Fort Jackson is an important part of the Palmetto State’s military heritage and attachment. South Carolina contains an extensive military presence that is located throughout the state and has a major impact on the state’s economy.
South Carolina is home to eight major military installations, 38,091 active-duty military personnel, 18,916 military reserve personnel, and 57,755 military retirees. According to the University of South Carolina, Darla Moore School of Business, among all states in the country, South Carolina has the 10th highest active duty military population and the 9th highest military retiree population. In addition, there are over 600 defense contracting firms executing Department of Defense (DOD) contracts within the state.
The State of South Carolina has contributed to our Nation’s defense needs since the early Colonial Days when each Parish in the Lord’s Proprietor’s colony organized a militia for the common defense. At first, defense needs consisted of coastal protection against Spanish, French, and Indians, then later, Pirates.
South Carolina’s Soldiers have distinguished themselves in confrontations and battles all over the world—beginning at
the Barnaby Coast, Fiji, against the French in the Caribbean and the West Indies; against the Spanish in Florida and in Mexico, breaking the Hindenburg Line during WWI, at all fronts in WWII, Viet‐Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Unique to South Carolina are two strategic characteristics: its strategic location—mid‐way along the Atlantic Coast, and the strong commitment from three centuries of South Carolinians to support military operations and troops here and abroad.
According to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Fort Jackson generated a total of $2.012 billion in economic activity statewide and supported 19,834 jobs. These jobs earned approximately $941 million in annual employee compensation.
Furthermore, the 120,000 out-of-state civilians that visited Fort Jackson in 2011 generated a total of $24.8 million in economic activity and supported at least 304 jobs earning approximately $7.9 million in employee compensation.