South Carolina has a long and proud military history, and it is still a busy training hub today. The state is home to six major active-duty installations, supporting the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, along with an Air National Guard fighter base. Two of these posts train a large share of the people who join the U.S. military each year. Whether you are PCSing to South Carolina, weighing a move, or just curious about the bases here, this guide gives you a clear overview of each one. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for a move to a new duty assignment.
Overview of Military Installations in South Carolina
South Carolina's bases support a wide range of missions, from training new Soldiers and Marines to flying cargo aircraft and fighter jets. The state covers both the coast, near Charleston and Beaufort, and the inland Midlands region, near Columbia and Sumter. That means a move to one base can feel very different from a move to another.
Active Military Bases in South Carolina
- Fort Jackson (Columbia)
- Joint Base Charleston (Charleston)
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island (Parris Island)
- Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (Beaufort)
- Shaw Air Force Base (Sumter)
- McEntire Joint National Guard Base (Eastover)
Army Bases in South Carolina
Fort Jackson
Fort Jackson, just outside Columbia, is the U.S. Army's largest and most active Initial Entry Training center. It trains more than half of all Soldiers who enter Basic Combat Training (BCT) each year, and roughly 60 percent of the women joining the Army. Basic Combat Training is the first stage of Army training, where civilians learn to become Soldiers. On any given day, about 10,000 people are training on the post, and around 1,000 Soldiers graduate every week. (home.army.mil/jackson)
Key Missions:
- Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers
- Training a large share of the Army's female recruits
- Advanced individual training and Army schools
Marine Corps Bases in South Carolina
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island has trained Marines since November 1, 1915. About 20,000 recruits come here each year for 13 weeks of demanding training to earn the title of United States Marine. Parris Island handles entry-level training for 100 percent of female Marines and about 50 percent of the men. The depot also runs schools for drill instructors and rifle marksmanship training. (mcrdpi.marines.mil)
Key Missions:
- Recruit training in field and combat skills
- Training drill instructors and field staff
- Rifle marksmanship training
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort sits on about 7,000 acres near the coastal town of Beaufort, roughly 70 miles southwest of Charleston. It is home to several F/A-18 Hornet fighter squadrons and an F-35B Lightning II squadron. The F-35B is the Marine Corps version of the jet, built for short takeoffs and vertical landings. In October 2024, a Beaufort squadron received the station's first operational F-35B. (beaufort.marines.mil)
Key Missions:
- Fighter aircraft operations and readiness
- F/A-18 and F-35B squadron support
- Air-to-ground combat training
Air Force Bases in South Carolina
Joint Base Charleston
Joint Base Charleston combines an Air Force side and a Navy side under one command, the 628th Air Base Wing. The base's 437th Airlift Wing flies 40 C-17A Globemaster III cargo aircraft, giving the Air Force its global airlift reach. The Navy side includes the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. The mix of air and sea missions makes Charleston one of the state's busiest installations. (jbcharleston.jb.mil)
Key Missions:
- Global airlift with C-17A Globemaster III aircraft
- Joint Air Force and Navy base support
- Naval Weapons Station operations
Shaw Air Force Base
Shaw Air Force Base lies about eight miles northwest of Sumter. It is home to the 20th Fighter Wing, which flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon and provides combat-ready airpower around the world. Shaw also hosts the headquarters for Ninth Air Force and U.S. Army Central (ARCENT), making it an important command center as well as a flying base. (shaw.af.mil)
