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— Graduation guides · Army

Fort Benning graduation.

What families should know before graduation at Fort Benning, Georgia. Checked against official sources in September 2026.

Family Day at Fort Benning
Fort Benning graduation

— The basics

BranchArmy
WhereGeorgia
Training hereOne Station Unit Training, which combines basic training and job training in one course. The 197th and 198th Infantry Brigades train Infantry, and the 194th Armored Brigade trains Armor crews and Cavalry Scouts.
How long18 weeks of Infantry or Armor One Station Unit Training

Official information: 197th Infantry Brigade ceremony information, 198th Infantry Brigade ceremony information, 194th Armored Brigade ceremony information, Visitor pre-registration. Schedules and rules change, so check there before you travel.

— Getting on base

Before you drive through the gate.

— On the day

What helps on graduation day.

— Questions families ask

The questions parents post the week before Fort Benning.

Where should we stay for Fort Benning graduation?

Fort Benning is at Columbus, Georgia, and the ceremonies are on post at Inouye Field next to the National Infantry Museum for Infantry or Brave Rifles Field for Armor. The museum points visitors to visitfortbenning.com for area lodging. On-post options run by Army MWR include McIver Suites, Marshall House and the Uchee Creek Campground cabins and RV sites, and an IHG Army Hotel operates on post. Graduations happen nearly every Thursday and Friday, so book as soon as your soldier's company letter gives you the date. Read recent reviews before you book; families in the Fort Benning parent groups post about bad stays every cycle. Source

What pass do we need to get on Fort Benning for graduation?

Every visitor 18 or older without a DoD ID needs a Fort Benning pass, which requires a background check. For Turning Green, Turning Blue and graduation, pre-register at pass.aie.army.mil, choose Army, Fort Benning, then Special Event, and enter the event code for your soldier's battalion from the Special Events page. You get a text decision within minutes to 24 hours and pick up the pass at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center kiosk, open 24 hours, on or after your start date. Source

Where do we pick up the pass and park for Fort Benning graduation?

Passes are picked up at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center kiosk, which is open 24 hours, on or after the start date you registered. Infantry ceremonies are at Inouye Field beside the National Infantry Museum, where parking is free with overflow lots; Armor ceremonies are at Brave Rifles Field. The museum says to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early for parking. Your soldier's company letter names the field and any change for weather. Source

What ID do I need to get on Fort Benning?

Bring the same government photo ID you used to pre-register. Accepted IDs include a REAL ID state license, a U.S. passport, DoD ID or Federal PIV, and the Veteran Health ID Card. Licenses marked Not Valid for Federal Purposes cannot be accepted, so a person with only that ID should email the access control office before travel. Non-U.S. citizens cannot pre-register online and are processed in person at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center. Source

What time should we arrive for Fort Benning graduation and how long is it?

Infantry graduations are on Inouye Field at 9 a.m. April through September and 10 a.m. October through March. 194th Armored Brigade ceremonies are at Brave Rifles Field at 9 a.m. The National Infantry Museum recommends arriving at least 30 to 45 minutes early for parking, which is free with overflow lots. All ceremonies are outdoors and can move indoors or change time for weather. Your soldier's company letter has the exact start time and rain plan. Source

Is there a livestream of Fort Benning graduation?

The National Infantry Museum shares graduation livestream feeds on its Facebook page and the training companies stream on their own Facebook pages. Check the museum's page and your soldier's company page on graduation morning. Source

How do I reach my soldier if I lost contact during Reception at Fort Benning?

The letter with the mailing address comes from the company once your soldier is assigned out of Reception. Until then, the 198th Infantry Brigade staff duty desk at 706-544-9211 and the unit pages linked from the brigade ceremony pages are the official contact points. Have the soldier's full name and ship date ready. For a true family emergency, call the Red Cross Hero Care Network at 1-877-272-7337, available 24 hours a day. Source

Can a veteran get records of their old Fort Benning training company?

Request your Official Military Personnel File free from the National Personnel Records Center, online at vetrecs.archives.gov or by mailing a signed SF-180 to 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. It lists duty stations, assignments and training. Have your full name as used in service, service number or SSN, dates of service and date and place of birth ready, and allow about 90 days. Source

— The photos

Ten photos you will want forever.

  1. The moment they are released to you
  2. The first hug, and keep shooting
  3. A close up in uniform
  4. With a drill instructor or training leader, if they will stand for it
  5. The whole family in one frame
  6. With the grandparents
  7. With their battle buddy or shipmate
  8. Holding the certificate
  9. A selfie, both of you
  10. The walk back to the car

More on photos and video at Fort Benning

Then turn them into cards.

Every photo from Fort Benning becomes a numbered keepsake card, front and back, with the unit, the base and the date. You get a video and one page the whole family can open, and every card has a code on the back that opens it. Graduated a while ago? It is not too late.

See your first 3 cards freeFind their class page

— Sources

Checked in September 2026 against these official pages. CardMyService is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any branch.