Every week, families from across the country come to Columbus to watch their soldiers graduate at Fort Benning. If you're one of them, welcome. Here's what you need to know, from the gate to the ceremony to dinner afterward.

Where and when graduation happens

Fort Benning's One Station Unit Training (OSUT) graduations are held nearly every Thursday and Friday morning on Inouye Field, next to the National Infantry Museum.

• Address: 1775 Legacy Way, Columbus, GA 31903
• The museum and field are outside the gates, so you don't need a base pass for the ceremony itself.
• Start time: 9 a.m. from April through September, according to the museum. Times and locations can change with the weather or season, so check the letter from your soldier's company, which has the exact time and a rain plan.
• Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. Parking is free, there's overflow parking on busy days, and a golf-cart shuttle helps carry guests to the field.

Getting there: From I-185, take Exit 1B and drive west on Victory Drive about a mile. Turn left at the light onto Legacy Boulevard and go about 1.5 miles. The museum entrance is on the right.

Before you go: the rules at the ceremony

• No oversize bags. Expect bag checks and wand scans.
• No pets, and don't leave them in your car. Certified service animals are allowed.
• Concessions are open in the museum lobby. Cash and cards are accepted.
• Class photos: a printed photo of your soldier's graduating class is $15. Buy it and pick it up in person the same day. A digital copy is $25 and arrive by email within one to two business days.

Getting on post (for Family Day or anything inside the gates)

Family Day events and other visits inside Fort Benning mean going through a gate. Every ID is scanned, every hour of the day.

• Have a REAL ID (the driver's license with a star) or a military ID? You don't need to stop at a visitor center. The gate scans everyone's ID, and it becomes your pass.
• No REAL ID? You can still get in with a regular state driver's license, but you'll need a pass:
• Register online ahead of time. You'll get a text, usually within minutes and no later than 24 hours, saying whether you're approved. Pick up your pass at the Lindsey Creek kiosk, using the same ID you registered with. If your soldier's company sends a special event link or code, use that.
• Or go to the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center, which is open 24 hours a day, every day, including holidays. Plan on about 5 to 8 minutes per person.
• Everyone 18 and older in the car must pass a background check before the car can enter.

Where to stay

The Hampton Inn Columbus/South–Fort Benning sits right on the National Infantry Museum campus, steps from the graduation field. It serves a full breakfast every morning, handy for early Family Day and graduation starts.

The museum also lists booking links for the Hampton Inn Columbus-North and the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbus. Hotels fill up on graduation weeks, so book early.

Where to eat

You're in a great food town. Our guides:

• The 10 Highest-Rated Restaurants in Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley, for a celebration dinner
• The 10 Best Barbecue Joints in Columbus and Phenix City, for a Southern meal your soldier will remember
• Best Soul Food in Columbus, for comfort food after a long week

What to do while you're here

• Tour the National Infantry Museum. Admission is free (with a suggested $5 donation). It's open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.- Walk the Chattahoochee Riverwalk and Uptown Columbus. Broadway is lined with restaurants and shops, a short drive from post.
• See what's happening this weekend in our weekly events roundup.

A little history

Fort Benning is the home of the Infantry. In 2025, the Army restored the Fort Benning name, this time in honor of Cpl. Fred G. Benning, a World War I soldier who earned the Distinguished Service Cross.

Congratulations to your soldier, and welcome to Columbus.