Fort Benning, GA Installation Guide

Fort Benning was established is 1918 and is named for Major General Henry L. Benning. Known as the "Home of the Infantry," the installation spreads over 182,000 acres and is home to the U.S. Army Infantry Training Brigade, U.S. Infantry School, Ranger Training Brigade, Airborne School,and School of the Americas. From 1918 until present the development of Fort Benning has been proportional to the schools progress. Through out the years, the mission of Benning and the Infantry School has remained fundamentally the same. "To produce the world's finest combat Infantrymen". Although Benning is a Training and Doctrine command installation, units of Forces Command make up 50 percent of permanent party personnel on post. They are the 3rd Brigade, 3d Infantry Division , and the 36th Engineer Group. The 3d Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and its Regimental Headquarters are also located at Benning. Fort Benning is south of Columbus, Georgia on U.S. highway 27. It has an active duty population of 34,834 which includes both reserve components. The Fort Benning military community can also be reached on Interstate 85 south, to Interstate 185 south, this route will lead you directly into the installation. You may then travel (right) on 1st Division Rd. to Dixie Rd. You will then find the installation Welcome Center (Bldg 2607), where all military personnel are required to sign-in . The Welcome Center phone number is (706) 545-7510 or DSN 835-7510.

Fort Benning is fortunate in its relationship with what is fondly called the Tri-Community. This consist of Fort Benning; Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama. Alabama's capital, Montgomery, and Georgia's capital, Atlanta are both only an hour and a half away. Fort Benning is also only a few hours' drive from Florida's Gulf shores and the mountains of North Georgia.

Columbus, Georgia is a growing, thriving community with more than 275,000 people in its metropolitan statistical area. It is a city where old and new have been brought together with a sense of new city growth and old city charm and love of life. Also, neighboring Fort Benning is Phenix City, Alabama. The city is located on the western banks of the Chattahoochee River and completes the Tri-Community.

History buffs will enjoy seeing many of the city's original homes from the 1800's which have been preserved in their classic form, in the 30-block Columbus Historic District. Opportunities to enjoy activities like productions at the Springer Opera House, performances by the Columbus Symphony, special events at the Columbus Museum, and many other cultural activities await those interested.