One-star general to become Fort Jackson commander

FILE PHOTO:In September, 2015, Navy Sailors learn proper convoy procedures during training at Fort Jackson's Camp McCrady, home to Task Force Marshall. Task Force Marshall trains thousands of Navy SPs (Shore Patrol) and others to do land duty keeping the peace as police officers and other support troops in Afghanistan. Tim Dominick tdominick@thestate.com

The Army’s largest training installation is getting a one-star general as its new leader less than a year after its present commander took over.

The Department of Defense has announced that Army Brig. Gen. John P. Johnson has been assigned as Fort Jackson’s commander. Johnson serves as director of training for the Army’s deputy chief of staff.

Johnson has held combat posts in Iraq and Afghanistan and as deputy commander with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. The announcement was made on Tuesday.

The Army release did not indicate where Jackson’s current commander, Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, would be heading. Cloutier took command last May 29. Before that, he headed the Pentagon’s Force Management Directorate, which makes recommendations on base closures and reorganization.

Fort Jackson trains around 62,000 soldiers annually.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 8:18 PM with the headline "One-star general to become Fort Jackson commander."

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