LOCATION - Fort Benning is located in an area commonly known as the "Tri-Community", comprised of Columbus and Fort Benning, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama. Columbus, known as Georgia's third-largest city, is a growing community of 250,000. Besides being the home of the Best Army Installation in the World, Fort Benning, Columbus is the corporate headquarters of many leading companies such as AFLAC Insurance. Average family income $36,405. The stunning Florida gulf shores and picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains are only a few hours drive from Fort Benning.
HISTORY - Fort Benning was established in 1918 and is named after Confederate General Henry L. Benning, who had lived in Columbus. Known as the "Home of the Infantry", the installation covers 182,000 acres. From 1918 until present, the development of Fort Benning has been proportional to the Infantry School's progress.
MISSION - To provide the nation with the world's best trained Infantry Soldiers and adaptive leaders imbued with the "Warrior Ethos". To act as a power projection platform capable of deploying and redeploying Soldiers, to include Reservists and National Guard, and civilians, to anywhere in the world on short notice. To define Infantry requirements for material developers to meet the needs of the future force.
POPULATION SERVED - Fort Benning population has the following: Military - Active Duty 27,436; Support Reserve Components 6,639; and Retired 13,248. Dependents - On-Post Active Duty 7,268; Off-Post Active Duty 14,146; and Off-Post Retired 30,478. Civilian Employees - DoD Appropriated 3,250; Nonappropriated, AAFES, Contract, and other 5,162. Total Fort Benning Population 107,627.
SPONSORSHIP - The Fort Benning Sponsorship Program requires that every Soldier, Private (E1) through Colonel (06), receiving an assignment to Fort Benning be provided a sponsor. Also, the program requires every effort be made to provide a pinpoint assignment and a sponsor in advance for all Soldiers. A reactionary sponsor will be provided for Soldiers, if a pinpoint arrival sponsor has not been provided. Each Soldier will receive a Welcome Letter, which will indicate projected unit of assignment.
To initiate the Fort Benning Sponsorship Program it is essential that Soldiers complete the DA Form 5434 (Sponsorship Program Counseling and Information Sheet) during their reassignment processing at their last duty station. The DA Form 5434 advises the command of any special needs and support mechanisms that the Total Army Sponsorship Program must muster to help the Soldier and his family. The completed DA Form 5434 should be sent to: Adjutant General/Military Personnel, ATTN: IMSE-BEN-HRM Enlisted Strength Management Branch, Fort Benning, GA 31905. All military personnel are required to sign-in at Installation Replacement, Building 2622, Soldiers' Plaza, 706-545-7510 for in-process.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS - Fort Benning Lodging has 1,175 affordable guest rooms offering various amenities. For reservations calls 706-689-0067 extension 4701.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE - ACS Relocation/Lending Closet/Utility Coordination Center (UCC) located in Soldiers' Plaza, Building 2629, is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. You may call for directions or for more information at (706) 545-4485. Welcome packets, including maps and information for on-post and community programs/services are available. There is a dedicated internet station for the use by transitioning families. There is a Newcomer Family Orientation and Tour held every month at the Fort Benning Officers' Club, Supper Club. Community agencies are present with information and to answer your questions; and following, will be a bus tour of Fort Benning and Uptown Columbus, with a light lunch provided. The UCC is a phone center where Soldiers may initiate services with Bell South Telecommunications, Inc., Columbus Water Works, Georgia Power, and/or Atmos Energy. The ACS Lending Closet provides: sleeping futons, folding chairs and tables, kitchenware, coffee makers, microwaves, and pack n' play (baby beds).