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Visitor passes no longer needed at post gates.  

Department of Defense vehicle decals or day passes are no longer required to access the installation.  Just go to the gate and show your driver's license or military ID.     

Lane Closure on I-185 

The Georgia DOT has scheduled single lane closures on I-185 southbound between mile markers 0.0 and 1.0 (near Victory Drive/SR 520) in order for the contractor to continue work on the bridge overpass. Motorists should try to avoid this area as delays are expected.  The closure will be 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., daily, Monday, June 13 through Friday, July 8, weather permitting. 

Upcoming:

From the top

Monday, the U.S. Army Armor School will uncase their colors at 10 a.m. on Brave Rifles Field, Harmony Church. This ceremony marks a significant milestone in the transformation to the Maneuver Center of Excellence.  

We have learned from our earliest days of war that combined arms maneuver is the winning combination. Training Armor, Cavalry and Infantry together makes sense. Building on the rich history and foundation established at Fort Knox, we have not recreated the Armor School - we have taken this opportunity to enhance the training capability of the Armor School, creating what Brig. Gen Ted Martin, the 45th Chief of Armor, refers to now as an Academy of Mounted Warfare.  

At the Maneuver Center, we will build upon the Armor and Cavalry foundation and continue to produce and train the world's best Armor and Cavalry Solders and Leaders, alongside America's Infantry Warriors. Together, building on solid foundations, we will write a new chapter in Army history.

Armor Brigades case colors

The Drill Sergeant of the Year competition is one of the most physically demanding and mentally tough challenges any Soldier can face in a United States Army competition. For five days, these competitors must perform and master all associated tasks and drills from Basic Combat Training.  

Check out the Drill Sgt. of the Year website to learn more

Follow Me sculpture added to main gate

The Follow Me sculpture is the first of four sculptures to be mounted atop 50-foot pedestals at the entrance to Fort Benning at the Victory Driveoverpass on I-185. The 12-foot bronze sculpture, which was created and transported from Loveland, Colo., was placed via a crane this afternoon. The Trooper of the Plains and two eagles will be placed in the coming weeks. The Trooper of the Plains and Follow Me sculptures represent the Armor and Infantry branches. They are the focal point of a $5.5 million gateway to the post that will include 10 American flags on each side of the road, two 20-foot fountains and lighting.

Sound Off!   

Conversation powered by the Fort Benning Facebook Page 

The U.S. Army believes Soldiers should be comfortable with their equipment and uniforms and wearing the patrol cap as part of the day-to-day mission makes sense. What's your take on this announcement about Army Combat Uniform changes? (link to story)

Here's a few of the comments...

Jesse Alguire

I love the beret so I'm glad they didn't remove it entirely. But I'm glad that the velcro is optional. Also, the buttons on the pockets is an awesome change.

Brandon Bissett

I like the look of the beret on ASUs. But with ACUs the PC is a much better look.  To the matter of Velcro being optional, I like the Velcro personally it makes making changes fast and very cost efficient. With out the Velcro things like rank name and service would have to be sewed on and that can be very costly

Lisa Durst  

I like it, I think the velcro looks tacky.

Ryne Peach Bowman Tom  

Paul Sterud  

The army listens? Its a new army

 

 

Andrew Jacobson

velcro name tapes, badges and rank is cool... But pockets should be buttons and zippers.

 

 

Courtni Foreman
 I think the beret looks sharp with ASUs, but looks ridiculous with the ACUs. My husband has spent countless HOURS forming his head covers. The beret and the velcro have been his two biggest complaints with the uniforms. I was thrilled to be able to show him the article from the Secretary of the Army!

 

Have an opinion?  Click here to share.

Featured stories in this week's Bayonet  

Almost Finished 

Construction updates for I-185 and the main gate. 

Visitor passes no longer needed at gates

104th Transportation Co. Returns 

MCoE boosts squad as a 'strategic formation'

Click here to read this week's Bayonet

(note:  it may take a few minutes to download the paper)  

Faces of BRAC  

Many people work behind-

the-scenes to shape the

Maneuver Center of Excellence.  Major Ross Davidson, program manager with the Health Facilities Planning Agency at Fort Benning, oversees planning and execution of the new $350 million Martin Army Community Hospital scheduled for completion in fall 2014.   

MACH, since becoming operational in 1958 has exceeded its life expectancy and is the Army's second oldest hospital.  The structure has gone through many transformations in its 50 plus years of service.  A significant alteration was initially proposed to the existing facility after the BRAC decision was made to relocate the Armor School here from Fort Knox, Ky.  However, there wasn't enough capacity within that alteration project to go forward.  Davidson said constructing an entirely new facility became the better solution.  

The 745,000-square-foot replacement facility currently under construction is nearly double the size of the existing hospital and will offer features consistent with holistic health design and the patient-centered home model. Design features include increased views of nature to promote a healing environment and facilitate a better environment for patient care and recovery.  Nestled into a hillside along Upatoi Creek, the five-story replacement facility will allow interaction with the physical location bringing nature into the facility.   

Many of the building's finishes will be done in natural tones to create a soothing environment. Davidson said the new hospital will be gorgeous and he is enjoying this project as it is one of those opportunities that will not come along often.

Watch the latest edition of Fort Benning TV's  

The Benning Report 

June 6, 2011, The Benning Report

The National Infantry Museum Celebrates WWII Hero Audie Murphy 

The most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II, Audie Murphy, is coming back to the big screen at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center on what would have been his 97th birthday.

Two showings of his true story "To Hell and Back," in which Murphy played himself, are scheduled June 20th at 4:00pm and 6:00pm at the IMAX theater. They are sponsored by the Fort Benning Chapter of the Audie Murphy Club.

The 1955 movie held the record as Universal's highest grossing picture until 1975. Based on his autobiography, the film follows Murphy's service from an Army Private to his battlefield commission as 2nd Lieutenant. During that time, he was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, was credited with killing over 240 of the enemy and became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division.

The famous soldier's hat and some of his 33 awards and decorations, including the Medal of Honor, are on display in the National Infantry Museum.

After his military service, Murphy made a total of 44 feature films including "To Hell and Back."  

This is the second time the local club has sponsored a showing of the iconic film.

Proceeds from the $10.00 a ticket charge go to the chapter's scholarship fund. Tickets can be purchased from members or by calling SGT Namu Keys at 706.575.7240.

Story by Borden Black 

Upcoming DFMWR events:

Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

Benning Book Club

The Benning Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. June 17 at Sayers Memorial Library to discuss In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson. You do not have to have completed (or even read!) the book to participate. Come for the fun, food and fellowship.  At the July 29 meeting, the book Little Bee, by Chris Cleave, will be up for discussion. For more information, become a fan of the Benning Book Club on Facebook.

Army Art 

Compete for cash prizes against the best artists in the Army. Enter your original drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture, jewelry and more in the 2011 Army Arts & Crafts Contest at https://artscrafts.fmwrc.army.mil. You will find a complete list of rules at arts.armymwr.com. Contest ends June 30.

Sand volleyball

Register your three- or four-person team at Smith fitness Center for the June 25-26 3-on-3 sand volleyball tournaments at the MWR pool court behind the Benning Conference Center. Entry fee is $35. For more information, call 706-984-1994.

Extreme Zipline

Outdoor Recreation will host two Extreme Zipline Tours to Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Ga. The trips are scheduled from 7:15 am-5pm July 23 and August 6. The $85 fee covers four hours of ziplining, roundtrip transportation and lunch. (BOSS Soldiers pay only $65 for the July 23 trip.) These trips fill up fast - register today! For more information, call 706-545-7978.

TGIF

The Benning Conference Center's Concord Lounge hosts "TGIF"  the second Friday of each month at 4:30 p.m.  Don't miss the fun.

Archery shoots

Uchee Creek hosts competitive archery shoots the second Saturday of each month at 9 a.m.  This event is open to the public. For more info, call 706-685-3060.

Family Fishing Night is back!   

Outdoor Recreation will host Family Fishing at Russ Pond from 5-7 p.m.  June 21, weather permitting. Reserve your free pole and bait now by calling 706-545-7978. Fishing at Russ Pond is restricted for to those 15 and younger, but parents and older siblings are encouraged to help.

Paintball

Spend your next training holiday playing paintball in the Woodlands off Dixie Road, between 1st Division and Soldiers Plaza. Rent paintball equipment at Outdoor Recreation while supplies last. Form a team and challenge another unit or group. Paintball tournaments are scheduled Friday and Sept. 2. To register, call 706-545-9636.

Check out MWR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BenningFMWRfans.