Making Fort Polk Number One

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA




Two days before our nation celebrated its 233 birthday, Brigadier General James C. Yarbrough, commander of Fort Polk and its Joint Readiness Training Center, spoke at the Chamber SWLA Summer Speaker Series Luncheon.

Yarbrough took command at Fort Polk on July 22, 2008. Since then he has made it his mission to push Fort Polk to be the best. The focus of his talk was the expansion of Fort Polk, which will double the size of the current facilities.

“You can not throw enough money at a soldier to make him fight for our country. They don’t do it for the money,” said Yarbrough.

Yarbrough presented a PowerPoint presentation of the new living quarters on post. He showed a picture of what the dining room looks like in the homes.

“This is the table the soldier and his wife will sit at and discuss their future. When they find out he is going to be sent back to Afghanistan. This is where they make their decisions,” said Yarbrough.

Yarbrough brought to the forefront of his talk how each soldier deserves good living conditions. He engaged his audience and painted a picture of the military family.

Expansion and renovations of Fort Polk are all done in an effort to create a good environment for soldiers and their families. Improvements also have a positive effect on the local economy.

“What is good for the community is good for Fort Polk,” said Yarbrough.

Fort Polk currently employs over 5000 civilians and generates nearly $560
million in payrolls, supplies, contracts, and other funds which spread throughout Southwest and Central Louisiana

Living conditions in the Fort Polk area are ideal in some respects.

“It’s 40 minutes from my house to launching my boat at Toledo Bend,” said Yarbrough. “However, when it comes to chain restaurants, shopping, and other amenities the area is lacking.”

Expansion will not only benefit the immediate region, it will ripple out benefits to the surrounding regions and the state. By expanding and renovating, Yarbrough is hoping that businesses will see there is a market for business owners.