For KD time, is it filling a SL position or being hard striped in that position? Also, what will it be like for my family at Fort Jackson?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 21:23:15 -0500

1. When it comes to KD time is it filling a SL position or being hard striped in that position. I've spoken to leadership, HRC and peers and everyone gives different answers. I ask because I am coming up on the end of my second year in a E-6 position but have only been hard striped for 7 months.

2. My drill orders say FT Jackson SC, now forgive me for being ignorant I have only been stationed at JBLM and Ft Carson and grew up in CA. My only experience with that region is FT Benning and Ft Knox. I only ask because I have 4 young children and we are a black family we will be living on post but should I be nervous, again forgive me for my ignorance I'm not saying all people from there are intolerant but it's just new territory for me?

Thanks

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 12:08 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:08:41 -0500

Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC, you and your children will be fine.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 12:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:38:36 -0500

The only thing your family will be in danger of is Gamecocks football signs offending your eyes (This is cocks country!). Columbia is a college town and the people around Jackson are pretty nice.

As for the KD time, the way your proponent and branch manager explained it was that now they consider the position held, not the rank, for KD time. They make the requirements, so their opinion is the one that matters.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 21 at 2020 4:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 16:01:23 -0500

What does hard striped mean? I am Asian and never felt intolerance due to the color of my skin at Ft Jackson and the community. The NCO club has a great lunch buffet. If you are not in the process of training basic trainees, the post is relatively small and quiet. This is a very popular BBQ restaurant: http://littlepigs.biz/

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 9:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 21:12:38 -0500

My family loves Jackson and the cost of living is great- especially from CA.

Haven’t had one issue with anything other than shitty roads and cold winters without snow.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2020 1:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 13:27:45 -0500

It’s a matter of your NCOERs. If you were promotable on your last SGT NCOER, it counts as KD time. If you were not promotable, it will not count.

As far as duty stations, Fort Jackson is the hidden gem of Army Post

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 12:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 00:18:19 -0500

Many here are giving you false information regarding KD requirements. KD for infantry is exclusively counted while in grade. Meaning Squad Leader time held as a Sergeant will NOT count, just as Platoon Sergeant time held while a SSG or SSG (p) will NOT count as KD.
BLUF: Call your career managers at the OCOI.
They are the ones who wrote the requirements and can beat advise you.

httpss://http://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/OCoI/content/pdf/OCOI%20Org%20Chart.pdf?26JUN2019

In regards to living in Columbia,SC. Your family will have zero issues.

OCOI%2520Org%2520Chart.pdf

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Mullett made Mar 5 at 2020 12:03 PM

1SG Jeffrey Mullett — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 12:03:21 -0500

I just left Fort Jackson in December, the cost of living is pretty good. I bought a house off post, and the market is pretty reasonable. Post housing should be a fairly short wait, but you will wait.
Columbia is a pretty nice city, and the population is largely Black, so you and your kids will be fine. The education system is pretty good, North East (Sand Hills) and North West are the most desirable in town.
Fort Jackson is HOT in the Summer, with high humidity...I've been through Jackson four times with my last assignment in the Army there. (Basic, ANCOC [Senior Leader Course] Recruiter Course and my last assignment)