Fort Benning and Columbus Connections Gallery
How Soldiers are made and the special relationship between Columbus and Fort Benning
Follow young men from their first haircut to their midnight march. Besides basic training, you’ll learn about the advanced and specialized training offered at Fort Benning, including Airborne, Ranger, Sniper, Pathfinder and Officer Candidate School.
Through the windows at the rear of the museum, you can see Inouye Field, our five-acre parade field and stadium where thousands of new Infantrymen graduate every year. The field is seeded with sacred soil taken from each of the battles depicted on the Last 100 Yards ramp, allowing every new Soldier to literally walk on the ground fought and died for by their forefathers in the profession of arms.
You will also see World War II Company Street, a collection of authentically-restored buildings from Fort Benning’s past, including GEN George S. Patton’s headquarters during his time at Sand Hill.
One corner of the gallery celebrates the unique relationship between Fort Benning and Columbus, the community that opened its arms to Soldiers back in 1919. Downstairs from the Gallery is the Virtual Reality Center, where civilians of all ages can test their skills on the same VR used to train Soldiers!
Once you’ve “completed your training” at Ft. Benning, head downstairs to experience specific eras of Infantry history.