Governor McMaster meets with state military commanders to strengthen support for service members and defense installations
September 28, 2026
Top military brass from across South Carolina gathered at the state capital to brief Governor Henry McMaster and state leaders on operational priorities, infrastructure needs, and family quality-of-life initiatives affecting the Palmetto State’s major defense installations.
The high-level briefing brought together commanding officers and senior leaders representing South Carolina’s military installations—including Shaw Air Force Base, Fort Jackson, Joint Base Charleston, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and the South Carolina National Guard.
Governor McMaster was joined at the head table by South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Todd B. McCaffrey and S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith to hear firsthand updates regarding state-level partnerships with the armed forces.
“South Carolina is proud to be home to a strong military presence,” Governor McMaster said following the discussions. “At today’s briefing, we heard directly from military commanders about how we can continue supporting our service members, their families, and our military communities.”
The forum focused on a range of challenges facing active-duty personnel stationed in the state, including military spouse employment reciprocity, public education access for military dependents, off-base affordable housing, and encroachment protections surrounding base perimeters.
With the military industry contributing tens of billions of dollars annually to the state’s economy, South Carolina officials regularly engage directly with base leadership to preserve base capabilities, support Department of Defense missions, and maintain the state’s standing as one of the nation’s most military-friendly destinations.
State lawmakers and executive agency heads plan to review recommendations presented during the briefing to shape upcoming legislative priorities and policy initiatives for the 2027 General Assembly session.
