Welcome to Fort Benning - the Maneuver Center of Excellence and home of the Infantry and Armor! Whether this is your first big military move or one of many, it’s never easy. Although when you know what to expect when you arrive, it’s a whole lot easier. And, it doesn’t hurt to be PCSing to a place known for its Southern hospitality and great food (give me all the fried chicken, shrimp and grits, pecan pie, and sweet tea).

More than half of all new Soldiers who enter the Army this year will come through Fort Benning. The installation also trains all new paratroopers, Army Rangers, officer candidates, Infantry and Armor lieutenants, captains, and noncommissioned officers. Fort Benning is the sixth-largest military installation in the U.S. You will find approximately 80,000 soldiers training at Fort Benning every year, and over 100,000 soldiers, their family members, veterans, civilians, and contract employees live, work, play, and use services on the installation each and every day.

The post covers over 182,000 acres, most of them in Georgia, with about 12,000 acres across the Chattahoochee River in Alabama. The installation has served as the Home of the Infantry since 1909, and during the 2005 Post Realignment and Closure, it was transformed into the Maneuver Center of Excellence. This transformation also included the move of the Armor School from Fort Knox to Fort Benning. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Fort Benning to help aid you in your transition to your new home.

Where Is Fort Benning?

Fort Benning is in west-central Georgia, bordering Alabama and just south of Columbus. Parts of the installation extend across the Chattahoochee River into Alabama.

Address: 7117 Baltzell Ave. Building 7, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 545-4043

Base Entry Procedures for Fort Benning

If it’s your first time on post, or you don’t yet have a valid military ID or tags for your car, you may have to stop at the Visitor Center to check in before you’re allowed on the post.

Average Drive Times to Base Gates From Popular Cities

Below is a list of a few local cities and major cities close to the base:

• Columbus, GA: 15-23 minutes
• Phenix City, AL: 24–30 minutes
• Auburn, AL: Approximately 1 hour
• Atlanta, GA: Approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes

Please note that traffic increases during graduation events and major training cycles.

Check-in Procedures For Incoming Personnel

All new soldiers or service members in transit to Fort Benning on PCS orders should report to the Installation Replacement Operations Center in Ridgway Hall (Building 35), Room 239 on the second floor, during duty hours (0600 to 1600 Monday through Friday).

If you are arriving after duty hours, on a weekend or holiday, report to the post staff duty NCOIC or OIC at McGinnis-Wickam Hall, 1 Karker St., Building 4.

For any questions prior to reporting, call 1 (706) 545-4577 or 1 (706) 545-5686 during normal duty hours.

Installation Replacement Operations Center

Ridgway Hall (Building 35), Room 239, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 545-4577/5686

Fort Benning Visitor Center

The Visitor Center processes visitors who have been pre-sponsored by post personnel. Those who haven’t been pre-sponsored should expect lengthy delays or should arrange to have their sponsor meet them at the gate.

The Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center is open 24/7, including holidays, and is on Lindsey Creek Parkway.

The Contractor Visitor Control Center (CVCC) is on 8th Division Road in Harmony Church and is open 0600 to 1400 Monday through Friday. The CVCC is closed on nights, weekends, and holidays.

If you have any specific questions about visiting, you can reach the MP Desk at 1 (706) 545-5223.

Fort Benning Visitor Center Address: Bldg 10603, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 544-9103

DEERS Fort Benning

Need a new ID card or to get your admin file updated?

The Fort Benning DEERS office handles all such matters for service members, their families, and retirees.

Set up an online appointment and avoid the wait.

Fort Benning DEERS Office Address: Building 9230, 8150 Marne Road, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 545-0962

Fort Benning Gates & Hours of Operation

The Main Gate, where you’ll find the Lindsey Creek Visitor Center, is open 24/7. Hours for the other post entrances are as follows:

• Camp Merrill (Dahlonega, GA) - 24/7
• Legacy Boulevard - 24/7
• I-185/Lindsey Creek Parkway - 24/7
• Lindsey Creek Parkway - 24/7
• Eddy Bridge - 24/7

Amenities & Facilities at Fort Benning

Fort Benning Commissary

The Fort Benning Commissary is the perfect stop for low prices on food, groceries, home goods, and more.

Address: 8150 Marne Rd, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 396-5048

Fort Benning Commissary Hours:

• Monday through Saturday- 07:00-20:00
• Sunday - 10:00-20:00

Fort Benning Exchange

Fort Benning Exchange features a pharmacy, food court, and a variety of shops.

Address: Bldg 9220 Marne Road Ft Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 685-3257

Fort Benning Exchange Hours:

• Monday through Saturday - 08:00-19:00
• Sunday - 09:00-18:00

Fort Benning Barber Shops

Keep your haircut regulation fresh and trim at any of the fine barber shops located on Fort Benning.

Barber Shop Locations & Hours

Harmony Church Barber Shop

• Address: Old Cusseta Hwy, Bldg 4109, Fort Benning, GA
• Phone: 1 (706) 685-4837
• Hours:
  • Monday through Friday - 08:00-18:00
  • Saturday through Sunday - 10:00-16:00

Main Exchange Barber Shop

• Address: 9220 Marne Road, Fort Benning, GA 31905
• Phone: (706) 687-2436
• Hours:
  • Monday through Saturday: 08:30–19:00
  • Sunday: 10:00–18:00

Maneuver Center of Excellence Barber Shop

• Address: Burr St., Bldg 4, Fort Benning, GA 31905
• Phone: (706) 609-0044
• Hours:
  • Monday through Friday: 07:30–16:00
  • Closed weekends

Sand Hill Barber Shop

• Address: 11th Airborne Div Rd, Bldg 3355, Fort Benning, GA 31905
• Phone: (706) 570-8354
• Hours:
  • Monday through Saturday: 14:00-19:00
  • Closed Sundays

Fort Benning Post Office

Whether it’s a letter or a big box, the US Post Office on Fort Benning can help you send whatever you need wherever it needs to go.

Address: 110 Vibbert Ave, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 689-1696

Fort Benning Finance Office

From pay issues to saving plans, the Fort Benning Defense Military Pay Office is open to all members of the military community who need help with financial matters.

Address: Bldg 35 (3rd Floor) Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 545-7880

Fort Benning Finance Office Hours

• Monday through Wednesday - 0730-1600
• Thursday - 0730-1400
• Friday - 0730-1600

Fort Benning Legal Office

The Fort Benning JAG office offers legal assistance of all kinds to members of the post-military community. From representation to help with paperwork, they have you covered.

Address: 6930 Morrison Avenue, Building 130, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 545-8273

Fort Benning Legal Office Hours

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 09:00-16:00
• Thursday - 13:00- 16:00

Fort Benning Library

From their huge print material collection to the 77 desktops in their computer lab, the Milton E. Long Library is a great place to pick a new read, do some research, or get some work done.

Plus, book clubs and story hours are wonderful ways to get your kids interested in reading.

Address: 6529 Eckel Avenue, Bldg 2783, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: 1 (706) 545-4911

Hours: Monday through Saturday - 09:00-19:00

Where Should I Live Near Fort Benning?

While the on-post housing options are nice, you might be more interested in living off-post while stationed here. Luckily, there are plenty of great places to call your home within easy commuting distance of Fort Benning.

Major Cities Near Fort Benning

Fort Benning sits in the heart of the South, near popular destinations like Atlanta, Savannah, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The post is found in an area commonly known as the Tri-Community, comprising Columbus and Fort Benning, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama. People looking to live off-post can’t go wrong choosing either of those other two cities as their next home.

If you’re considering living on post, check out the available on-post housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off post.

Housing Options Available On-Base

Fort Benning participates in the Residential Communities Initiative program conducted by the Department of the Army. The Army chose The Michaels' Organization with The Villages at Fort Benning for family housing communities.

Address: 601 Lumpkin Street, Fort Benning, GA 31905

Phone: (706) 685-3939

Housing Options Available Off-Base

Columbus, GA

Columbus sits along the Chattahoochee River (yes, the one Alan Jackson sang about), just 12 miles from Fort Benning.

The Fountain City, as it’s affectionately known, has a lot to offer its 196,000 residents, from outdoor activities like the Chattahoochee RiverWalk and Dragonfly Trail, or indoor delights like the Coca-Cola Space Science Center or Columbus Aquatic Center.

Many military families opt to live here because the cost of living in the city is low compared to the rest of the nation, the schools are above average, there are tons to do, and it’s a quick commute to Fort Benning.

Phenix City, AL

Just across the Chattahoochee from Columbus, Phenix City is a desirable and affordable Alabama suburb where many Fort Benning families choose to live.

The nearly 37,000 residents of the city benefit from being connected to the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area. The area suits a variety of outdoor enthusiasts – from golfers to rafters to spectators.

Folks living here enjoy a variety of parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses, lakes, and more throughout the year.

Fort Benning Schools

There are plenty of education options for your children in the Fort Benning area, from elementary, intermediate, and high schools to public and private schools in the surrounding area. Not to mention preschools and daycare facilities for the younger kids.

Whether you decide to enroll your kids in one of the on-post schools, one of the Columbus schools, or one of the Phenix City schools, rest assured that they’ll have access to the finest education possible.

And if your child requires extra help, there are a number of programs available. The on-post school liaison officer will be there to help make the tough transition to a new school easier.

Enjoy Your Time at Fort Benning

Fort Benning is an installation like no other. The post is like a city unto itself; if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the newly renovated homes on post or in the barracks, you will likely find everything you need right outside your doorstep.

But rest assured that there is so much to see and do once you leave the installation’s gates as well. Moving to a new place has its challenges, but you’ll be glad to be here.

FAQs About Fort Benning

Can I use coupons at the commissary?

Yes. Manufacturer and digital coupons are accepted.

Is Fort Benning hands-free?

Georgia law requires hands-free use of mobile devices while driving. This is strictly enforced on the post.

Can I live on base without children?

Yes. Eligibility depends on rank and housing availability.

Does Fort Benning have temporary lodging?

Yes. Temporary lodging is available on post and nearby, but availability is limited during graduations and training surges.

Suggested reads:

• 20 of the Best Things to Do in Fort Benning, GA
• Fort Benning Housing: 10 On-Post Options
• Fort Bragg Housing: 9 On-Post Options