Your Fort Jackson plan

Start with the basics. You can come back later to fill in the rest. We’ll keep your plan in your browser and email it to you with countdown reminders as the date gets closer.

1. Save your plan

Enter your email and, if you know it, your Soldier’s graduation date. We’ll send four short reminder emails leading up to the day.

Want graduation reminders as the day gets closer?

A short email at six weeks out, two weeks, one week, and the morning before. Written for your Soldier’s specific graduation. Unsubscribe anytime.

2. Hotel

Pick one of our top picks for Jackson below, or see the full hotel guide for the complete list.

Top pick

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia – I-26 at Harbison

IHG · i 77 northeast

$129–$169
per night est.
To Gate 2
15 min
To Gate 4
17 min
Breakfast
Included · early
Rating
4.4 (1,200)

Reliable IHG-brand quality, 15 minutes to Gate 2, hot breakfast that starts before parking opens. Highest re-book rate among Jackson families per Family Day forums.

Books up fast for Family Day/Graduation weeks; reserve 6+ weeks out.

Top pick

Staybridge Suites Columbia – Northeast

IHG · i 77 northeast

$149–$199
per night est.
To Gate 2
12 min
To Gate 4
10 min
Breakfast
Included · early
Rating
4.5 (540)

Full-kitchen suites are a sleeper feature. If your Soldier is hungry for home-cooked food after 10 weeks of dining-facility menu, you can cook. Closest commercial hotel to Gate 4 (10 min).

3. Rental car

CAE is 22 minutes from base. A rental gives you on-post mobility for Family Day.

Compare rentals at CAE
4. Read what happens at Family Day →

What happens, when, where, what to bring, what to expect from your Soldier.

5. Check your packing →

The list you actually need, sorted by when you’ll need each thing.

Booking through our links supports this free guide at no extra cost to you.