Upcoming ceremonies

These are the dates the three training brigades have posted on army.mil. The Army says all dates and times are subject to change, and outdoor ceremonies can move indoors or change time in bad weather, so confirm with your Soldier's unit. As of Nov. 14, nothing has been posted past Dec. 17, 2026; we add new dates when the brigades post them.

What the ceremonies mean. Turning Green marks the end of the basic combat training phase of one station unit training (OSUT). Turning Blue is the infantry milestone at the end of infantry training. For infantry, Family Day follows the Turning Blue ceremony, when families can reunite with their Soldier and see where they lived and trained, and graduation is the next morning. For armor and cavalry, Family Day follows the final field exercises, with graduation the next morning. The Army does not post separate Family Day times.

Check with the unit. Each brigade keeps its own page and a 24-hour staff duty phone: 197th Infantry Brigade (706-544-1247), 198th Infantry Brigade (706-544-9211) and 194th Armored Brigade (706-626-5904).

Holiday block leave: the 197th Infantry Brigade says personal-vehicle pickups start at 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, from the National Infantry Museum entrance gate. Bring a photo ID for every adult in the car, proof of insurance and a copy of the vehicle registration.

Getting on post

Pre-register online. Visitors without a military ID can request a pass at pass.aie.army.mil, which the Army says takes under two minutes. Approval comes by text, usually within minutes and no later than 24 hours, and every person 18 or older in the vehicle needs a background check and pass. Pick the pass up at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center kiosk with the same ID you registered with; it is not available before the start date you chose.

Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center is open 24 hours a day, including holidays, off I-185 at Lindsey Creek Parkway (the Army lists 6065 Lindsay Creek Parkway). Processing takes about 5 to 8 minutes per person, so allow extra time on graduation mornings. The garrison runs 100 percent ID scanning around the clock.

• ID: a standard state driver's license or ID is accepted; the garrison says no state is subject to REAL ID enforcement there "for the foreseeable future." Licenses marked "Not Valid for Federal Purposes" may be refused. A U.S. passport or passport card also works.
• Non-U.S. citizens: are processed at the Visitor Control Center and must bring original documents, not copies. A Soldier's sponsor with a DoD ID can also pre-vet guests at Building 1697, Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Gates: the I-185/Lindsey Creek gate is open 24/7. Legacy Way is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Custer Road (Sand Hill) is open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays only. Some special events direct visitors to a specific gate, so follow any instructions from the unit.
• Questions: Military Police desk, 706-545-5223.

Sources: Fort Benning Visitor & Access Information (updated Oct. 2, 2026), visitor pre-registration, Military OneSource.

Graduation day at Inouye Field

Most infantry graduations are held on Inouye Field behind the National Infantry Museum, 1775 Legacy Way. From I-185, take Exit 1B west on Victory Drive about a mile, turn left on Legacy Boulevard and go about 1.5 miles; the entrance is on the right. Expect heavy traffic, and allow 5 to 10 minutes to walk from main parking or 10 to 15 minutes from overflow. Armor and cavalry graduations are at Brave Rifles Field, and some ceremonies are at Kanell or Pomeroy Field on Sand Hill, so check the location in the table above.

• Security: everyone is screened. No firearms (even registered), knives, pepper spray, oversized or smart bags, or helium balloons. No pets except trained service animals.
• Bring and wear: essentials only, and dress for the weather because ceremonies are outdoors. Flags and leis are welcome. Clothing with profanity or slurs is not allowed.
• Accessibility: accessible parking is at the front of the museum, drop-off is at the traffic circle, and free manual wheelchairs are first come, first served at the Information Desk. A golf-cart shuttle may be available.
• Photos: personal photos and video are welcome. The official class photo is $15 printed (11x14, picked up after the ceremony) or $25 digital (emailed in 1 to 2 business days), sold on graduation day only.
• The museum itself is free (suggested $5 donation), open Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26), Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and closes early Nov. 25 (3 p.m.), Dec. 18 and Dec. 31 (noon).

Not published by the Army: how long ceremonies last, and what passes Soldiers get after graduation or on Family Day (on post or off post, and for how long). Ask your Soldier or the unit's staff duty line before you book plans.

Sources: National Infantry Museum graduation page, museum visit page, brigade ceremony pages.

Where to stay

Graduation weeks bring thousands of families to Columbus, so book as soon as you know your date. We found no hotel publishing a special graduation rate; ask about military or government rates when you call.

Sources: IHG Army Hotels, Hilton, IHG and VisitColumbusGA listings. Visit Columbus also books rooms at 800-999-1613.

Eat and explore

More: restaurant inspection scores for any place you're considering, this weekend in Columbus and the events calendar.

Getting here

• Columbus Airport (CSG) is about 15 minutes from post, with Delta service. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus advertises a free airport shuttle.
• From Atlanta (ATL): about 90 minutes by car. Groome Transportation runs shared shuttles from ATL to Fort Benning (Main Post, Sand Hill, Harmony Church) and Uptown hotels, from $59 online; book 24 hours ahead at 706-324-3939.
• Taxi on post: Fort Benning contracts one company, Yellow Cab, 706-322-1616. On post, drivers can't charge for duffel bags, and children under 7 ride free.

Sources: Columbus Airport military page, Groome Transportation.