Fort Benning, GA

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active
Former Name: Fort Moore (2023-2025)

Overview

Fort Benning was established in 1918 as an infantry training post and is located adjacent to Columbus, Georgia, on the Georgia-Alabama border. Covering approximately 182,000 acres, it is one of the largest Army installations in the United States. The installation serves as the home of the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) and hosts the U.S. Army Infantry and Armor Schools, making it the premier ground combat training center in the U.S. Army.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train, educate, and develop adaptive infantry, armor, and maneuver leaders and units ready for current and future combined arms operations.
Major Units: Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE), 198th Infantry Brigade, 316th Cavalry Brigade (training brigade), 194th Armored Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division elements (when not at Fort Stewart)
Tenant Units: 75th Ranger Regiment (headquarters), Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU), 30th Medical Brigade

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Columbus, GA (adjacent, approximately 5 miles from Main Gate)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Columbus Airport (CSG) — approximately 10 miles; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — approximately 100 miles
Gate Access: Multiple gates with 24/7 access for authorized personnel; main entry points include the Main Gate (Benning Road), Kelley Hill Gate, and Sand Hill Gate; visitor passes issued at Visitor Control Center; valid government-issued photo ID required for all visitors; vehicle registration and insurance required

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 26,000-32,000 (fluctuates with training cycles)
Family Members: Approximately 40,000-45,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 9,000-12,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 100,000+

Key Facilities

Medical: Martin Army Community Hospital (MACH) — community hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, and a range of specialty care
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post; one of the larger commissaries in the southeast
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — main Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) store with full retail offerings, food court, and specialty stores
Fitness & Recreation: Numerous fitness centers across post including Patton Gym; Sand Hill Fitness Center; Uchee Creek Campground and Recreation Area; Riverside Golf Course; bowling center; pools and aquatic facilities
Schools: Muscogee County School District serves on-post families; no DoDEA schools at this location; Benning Hills Elementary and Eisenhower Middle School are post-adjacent public schools
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; high demand — families should apply immediately upon receipt of PCS orders; Family Child Care providers also available
Veterinary Services: Fort Benning Veterinary Treatment Facility — services include wellness exams, vaccinations, surgical procedures, and dental care for military-owned pets; appointment required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Maneuver Center of Excellence Office of the Staff Judge Advocate — legal assistance by appointment; powers of attorney available on walk-in basis; located in building on Main Post

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; multiple neighborhoods including Custer Terrace, McGinnis Park, and Garlington Park; approximately 3,700+ family housing units
Average Wait Time: Varies by rank and bedroom requirement; typically 1-4 months; some areas have shorter waits
Off-Post Housing: Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL (across the river) provide affordable off-post options; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $900-$1,400/month; Phenix City offers lower costs
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Gaining unit S1 assigns sponsors upon receipt of PCS orders; soldiers should contact their gaining unit directly after orders are published
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center (SSC) at Building 13 on Main Post; in-processing typically takes 3-5 days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Enrollment through the EFMP office at Martin Army Community Hospital; Army Community Service also provides EFMP family support services; enrollment required prior to PCS move for eligible family members

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical — warm to hot summers, mild winters; some ice events possible; pleasant spring and fall seasons
Cost of Living: Low to moderate — Columbus and the surrounding area offer a cost of living below the national average, particularly for housing
Nearby Attractions: National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center (on post, world-class military museum); Chattahoochee Riverwalk (Columbus); Callaway Gardens (approximately 45 miles); Lake Harding and Lake Oliver (water recreation nearby)
Spouse Employment: Columbus offers opportunities in healthcare, retail, government, and education; Fort Benning employment as a GS employee is also an avenue; broader Atlanta market accessible for remote work or commute

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/benning/
Main Installation Phone: (706) 545-2011
MWR Website: https://benning.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS) — Building 7022, Marne Road; contact (706) 545-7294 for relocation assistance, family advocacy, and newcomer programs

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: home.army.mil/benning, benning.armymwr.com, Martin Army Community Hospital public affairs, Muscogee County School District, DoD installation population estimates, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law