The general in charge of the Army's largest training installation has called off basic training graduations and family days because of problems from massive flooding.
Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier says the 17,000 soldiers working and training at Fort Jackson near Columbia are safe.
But he canceled weekly family days and Thursday graduations through Oct. 22, saying travel conditions are just too difficult to bring in the 5,000 people who typically come for the celebrations.
Fort Jackson spokesman Pat Jones says the soldiers are eating field rations — known as MREs — because restaurants on the installation are closed due to the lack of drinking water. Training is continuing, but only the essential 3,500 civilians who also work on the post are being asked to come to work.
Fort Jackson trains some 50,000 soldiers in 10 weeks of basic combat training.
