FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, the U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson commander, was promoted to the rank of Major General in a ceremony held on February 14th at the Fort Jackson Headquarters. The promotion ceremony, which took place at 8:00 a.m., marked the conferral of his second star.
The ceremony was presided over by Gen. Gary M. Brito, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. Brig. Gen. Kelly assumed command as the 53rd Commanding General of the United States Army Training Center & Fort Jackson on August 31, 2022. Before this role, he served as the commanding general of the South Atlantic Division, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
As the commanding general of Fort Jackson, Brig. Gen. Kelly oversees the largest and most active Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army. Fort Jackson trains approximately 50 percent of all Soldiers and 60 percent of women entering basic combat training each year. Additionally, Fort Jackson is home to the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy, the Soldier Support Institute Army Sustainment University Adams Campus, Leader Training Brigade, and Institute for Religious Leadership, among other Department of Defense organizations.
Brig. Gen. Kelly, a native of Flint, Michigan, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He received his commission as an Engineer officer in 1994. He has held various leadership positions, including Commander of the 20th Engineer Battalion in Afghanistan, Deputy Commander of the 36th Engineer Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn, and Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.
He holds multiple degrees, including a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from West Point, a master’s degree in engineering management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, a master’s degree in statistics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in joint campaign planning and strategy from the National Defense University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Brig. Gen. Kelly is also a graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighter School, Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Sapper Leader Course, and the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses. He is a certified project management professional. He is married to Stephanie Kelly, and they have two sons, Jacob and Zachary.
The promotion to Major General is a significant milestone in Brig. Gen. Kelly’s distinguished military career, reflecting his leadership, accomplishments, and contributions to the U.S. Army.
US Army file photo by Kimberly Wintrich
