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All Army Combatives  

The 2011 All Army Combatives Tournament began yesterday at Fort Hood, Texas. The competition runs July 20 through the 23rd. Be sure to follow the Fort Benning team during the competition  on III Corps/Fort Hood's Combatives website at http://www.hood.army.mil/combatives/  

Upcoming:

TLEP open house

Fort Benning will host a town hall for the Training and Land Expansion Program in Stewart County from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Stewart County Elementary School in Lumpkin, Ga. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 706-545-8830.

Back to School Bash

The annual Back to School Bash is July 29 at Middle School & Teen headquarters. The B2SB is a free, family-friendly event that promotes a healthy start to the school year and provides information on community resources. The times are 9 a.m. to noon for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and 6 to 11 p.m. for middle- and high-schoolers. For more information, call 706-545-3062.  

I am pleased to unveil a new informative site on Fort Benning's website called: Smoke and Sound. This new site was created in an effort to communicate more effectively with those who live on or near Fort Benning - the where, when and why we are conducting training and prescribed burning on the installation.  

It is important everyone understands the necessity of these activities. Yes, they can be a nuisance - loud noise when you may be trying to go to sleep, or smoke that can make the eyes water - but, let me assure you, both of these activities are vital to the success of our Soldiers and the safety of our installation.  

As the home of the Armor and Infantry - the sounds you hear of training, are the sounds of America's Soldiers preparing to take the fight to the enemy. Our Soldiers train to be ready to defend their lives and this Nation's ideals. Their training ensures they accomplish this mission and return home safely.  

The need for prescribed burning is a vital part of Fort Benning's land management strategy. By conducting prescribed burning, fire, land management and environmental officials can work together and burn scrub and unwanted brush on our terms, instead of letting them become overgrown and fuel for uncontrolled wildfires, which pose a threat to people, homes and property.  

This new site will keep you informed about the training and prescribed burning at Fort Benning. We appreciate the continued support of all who call this great Nation home.

One Force, One Fight!

COL Jeffrey Fletcher 

Garrison Commander 

Residents and employees should always carry and present Common Access Card (CAC), government contract identification or military ID cards when accessing the post. Drivers who are not in possession of one of these ID cards are considered visitors.

In the future, Fort Benning is moving towards dedicated lanes for employees and residents. Soon the Department of Emergency Services will be installing digital signs to clearly mark all lanes as either "military ID/CAC" card holders or "visitor".  

When this designation is put in place, individuals without CAC or military ID cards will be directed to the visitors lane. Additionally, automated lanes will be installed at Fort Benning later this year for those possessing CAC / MIL ID.  

Safeguarding the security and well being of those who work and live on post is the primary concern and we ask that Fort Benning commuters bear with us we attempt to balance security with ease of access. Thank you for your cooperation.

Featured stories in this week's Bayonet  

233rd Trans. Co. leaves for Kuwait deployment  

MCoE drives Army Learning Concept

Soldiers may soon have lighter machine gun 

Enhancing the Quality of Life for Caregivers  

Answering surveys helps decide services

Construction on Benning

Final tank, Bradley gunnery wraps up at Fort Knox 

First Armor School gunnery course begins on post

IT service changes under way on Fort Benning 

Gear up for school with annual free bash         

Click here to read this week's Bayonet  

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Afghan soldiers and their U.S. counterparts march toward Gerekheyl village during an early morning patrol in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, on June 14, 2011. The Soldiers are with Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.

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  National Infantry Museum to host annual gala 

Story by Borden Black

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center will take on a tropical feel, Bob Hope will take the stage and '60s and '70s tunes will heat up the night when "Thanks for the Memories: A Bob Hope Tribute to Vietnam Vets" hits the grand hall on August 20.  

The annual black-tie fundraiser is dedicated this year to the soldiers who served during the Vietnam War. The evening will feature a reception beginning at 6:00, a gourmet dinner at 7:00, a dinner show featuring Bob Hope impersonator Bill Johnson and to end the gala evening, live music from the 10:30 Band and dancing.

New this year is a silent auction during the cocktail hour. Among the items sure to see heated bidding are a villa in Italy for a week, dinner for 12 at Riverside hosted by MG and Mrs. Robert Brown and a red 1968 restored Ford XL convertible donated by museum volunteer and Vietnam Vet Jim Lee.  

Last year's gala, which revolved around a WW II theme, attracted more than 250 attendees and received rave reviews. Organizers hope to see 400 guests this year since the event is a major fundraiser for the National Infantry Foundation, a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  

Invitations are going out now to members of the 1775 Society who received two tickets as part of their membership, but anyone can purchase a ticket for the evening for $150.  

For more information about the event or sponsorship packages, contact Jane Bayer at 706-685-2604 or jbayer@nationalinfantryfoundation.org.

Upcoming DFMWR events:

Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

Extreme Zipline 

Outdoor Recreation will host two Extreme Zipline Tours to Banning Mills in Whitesburg, Ga. The trips are scheduled from 7:15 a.m.-5 p.m. 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.

Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs for $5 

We have a limited number of spaces available for the August 12 trip to Atlanta to see the Braves take on the Cubs. Your $5 pays for transportation and your ticket to the game. This is NOT just for single Soldiers. Must be 12 or older to participate. Register at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center or call 706-545-1411.

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.

Disney World 

Soldiers and family members 18 and older are invited to participate in a weeklong trip to Disney World Sept. 2-6. The cost of this trip, $320, covers roundtrip transportation, accommodations at the Shades of Green resort and a four day park hopper pass. This trip, sponsored by the BOSS program, is not exclusive to single Soldiers. Register at the Kelley Hill Recreation Center or call 706-544-1411. You may pay by installments. 

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