Fort Jackson’s garrison commander called on the community to use on post services and facilities during a Community Information Exchange held Sept. 1.
The quarterly event held at Victory Hall was aimed at fostering feedback among the Fort Jackson community and an opportunity for “some transparent and candid conversations.”
“We cannot take our facilities for granted,” Col. David G. Gaugush said.
“I ask you to use AAFES, (the Commissary), MWR as your first choice, and encourage others to do that as well. And if we fail you in some way, help us hold our system accountable. Let us know. Give us the opportunity to correct it, and then come back and retry us,” he added. “We really do need to utilize our facilities, and we need to encourage others to do it and hold ourselves accountable. And hopefully, what we will identify are those things that Fort Jackson actually really does need.”
He spoke after Josh Soldan, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director, announced changes to post operations during updates from on post agencies.
“We’ve got some changes coming starting Oct. 1, and the first big change is that the auto complex over across from the 1917 Club will close permanently,” Soldan said. “Unfortunately, funding is being reduced for MWR in the future, and so we’ve had to make some really hard decisions going forward.”
In addition to that, hours of operation for the 1917 Club buffet, and the Down Range Bar are going to reduce as well.
Soldan and other representatives of various directorates and partners in excellence spoke after Gaugush’s short introduction.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Angel Berrios, deputy garrison chaplain, spoke about religious services held on post.
“We are here not only to provide religious support for the trainees, which trust me, that is a lot of what we do, but also our permanent partners here at Fort Jackson,” he said. There are multiple services held each week on Fort Jackson including Catholic Mass, non-denominational Christian, gospel, and Jewish services.
Dr. Camille Owen, director of Fort Jackson’s Directorate of Human Services, provided updates on services provided including the Transition Assistance Program and Suicide Prevention Month efforts.
“Mr. Timothy Jones (TAP chief) will have a lot of information to put out for TAP, and I know he sends monthly reports to the brigade command team on your service members that are eligible (to begin processing). We don’t want the Soldier leaving or transitioning out without getting pertinent information that they need.”
Jones along with other representatives had tables along the back of the room with pertinent information for the community.
Joe Colson and Rashaan Brown from the Installation Safety Office spoke about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and motorcycle safety.
Colson called on unit leaders to ensure they contact his office prior to contacting OSHA.
“They should call my office first or call Vince Washington or Tamika Turner or Jeffrey Wolfe or Dwight Jackson,” Colson said. “You should call one of those offices. That should be the first thing you do when you find a hazard in your workplace.”
Washington, Turner, Wolfe and Jackson are safety officers on Fort Jackson.
Brown talked about the proper wear of protective gear while riding a motorcycle.
All riders on Fort Jackson must have a DOT-certified helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, pants, shoes that come above the ankles and should wear reflective gear, Brown said.
“High visibility gear is highly recommended,” Brown said. “Okay, it’s not required in the regulations or anything like that, but it is recommended that way visibility on and off posts is able to be seen by everybody.”
Representatives from Fort Jackson Family Homes spoke briefly about upcoming events and new homes they are about to open.
James Harper, FJFH project manager, called on the community to be aware of construction along Burke Road and to follow commands of flagmen in the area.
Whitney Campbell, with the Army, Air Force Exchange Service, spoke about job opportunities with the company.
Lisa Bradley, assistant commissary officer at the Fort Jackson Commissary spoke about upcoming sales while Susan McPherson with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce talked about upcoming events in the Midlands.
Slides with information about upcoming events can be found at: https://home.army.mil/jackson/my-fort/for-families.
| Date Taken: |
09.03.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
09.03.2026 10:21 |
| Story ID: |
573880 |
| Location: |
FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: |
23 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Jackson, garrison updates community at CIE, by Robert Timmons, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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