In 2002, there were 37,943 active duty military personnel and 9,370 civilian personnel stationed in South Carolina. Ft. Jackson, in Columbia, is the Army's largest major training center. Air Force bases at Charleston and Sumter are major installations. Parris Island has long been one of the country's chief Marine Corps training bases. South Carolina firms received about $1.03 billion in defense contract awards during 2002.
Veterans in South Carolina according to the 2000 Census totaled 420,971, including 63,607 from World War II; 44,816 from the Korean conflict; 122,615 who served during the Vietnam era; and 63,972 who served during 1990–2000 (including the Persian Gulf War). Veterans' benefits during 2002 amounted to nearly $908 million.
In 2000, the South Carolina Highway Patrol employed 977 full-time sworn officers.