Military Schools

ARMOR SCHOOL
The 192nd Infantry Brigade
The 192nd Infantry Brigade trains Soldiers in Basic Combat skills in order to provide combat-ready Soldiers and leaders to the Operational Army.

192nd Battalions:
• 2nd Battalion, 46th Infantry (Basic Combat Training)
• 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry (Basic Combat Training)
• 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry (Basic Combat Training)
• 30th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception)

Basic Combat Training 2-46 IN, 2-47 IN and 3-47 IN
The 2nd Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, are responsible for basic Soldier skills instruction, as well as the health and welfare of the trainees. The bat-talions are composed of five or six four-platoon companies and a drill sergeant leading each platoon, usually 55 to 60 trainees.

The training requirements for a Soldier include: instruction on the M4A1 and M16A4 rifles, physical training, hand grenades, Modern Army Combative, Chemical, Biological, radiological and Nuclear, as well as squad level tactics. Soldiers of the 192nd are also instructed in first aid, map navigation, military operations in urban terrain, convoy opera-tions, military communication systems, check point operations and improvised explosive devices. The foundation of all training is the seven Army values—Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage.

The transition from civilian to Soldier remains the benchmark for excellence in the Army. Turning civilians into well trained Soldiers is vital to our Army and our nation. Nowhere is it done better than Fort Benning.

30th Adjutant General Battalion
The 30th Adjutant General Battalion is responsible for the initial transition of turning civilians into Soldiers. In addition, they are responsible for rehabilitating injured Soldiers in order to complete training and separate Soldiers who fail to meet Army standards. The battalion begins the transformation with initial processing which includes: medical and dental screening; haircuts; the issuance of military clothing; the preparation and issue of identification cards and tags; complete finance and personnel in-processing; orientation briefings; and immunizations. The process is designed to prepare over 31,000 new Soldiers each year to begin training.

Drill sergeants and cadre assigned to the processing companies instruct new Soldiers on basic military subjects. Soldiers who are injured during training are assigned to the 30th AG Fitness Training Unit for rehabilitation and to be returned to complete training. Soldiers who do not meet the Army standards are also assigned to the Retain and Hold Unit as they are processed for separation.

During the summer months the battalion serves as host to Reserve component reception battalions. They help the battalion process the increased number of trainees and receive training and professional development for their own cadre.

There are more than 100 military civilian personnel assigned to the battalion. The tenant activities are medical, dental, personnel affairs, US Army Recruiting Command, Army Reserve, National Guard, Old Guard liaisons, Columbus Bank and Trust, photography, community mental health services, AAFES, and clothing initial issue point.

194th Armored Brigade
As part of Fort Benning's Maneuver Center of Excellence and United States Army Armor School, the 194th Armored Brigade's primary mission is to conduct Initial Entry Training for new Soldiers and Marines. ET consists of a Basic Combat Training phase and Advanced Individual Training phase. Both the BCT and AIT phases of training combined are known as One Station Unit Training (OSUT). The 194th Armor Brigade trains all Initial Entry 19K Armor Crewmen and 19D Scouts for the Army. Marine Armor Crewmen complete Marine Corp Basic Training then arrive at Fort Benning's Harmony Church to receive their Armor AIT. Army active duty and reserve component personnel training programs include: 19D (Cavalry Scout), 19K (Armor Crewman) One Station Unit Training and 91 A/M (Abrams/Bradley Mechanic) Advanced Individual Training, the Marine Armor Crewman Course, the Marine Mechanic Course and the Advanced Leader Course for Brad-ley/Abrams Mechanics.

The history of the 194th Armored Brigade dates back to 1921 when the unit was called the Organized Reserves, as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 194th Infantry Brigade, assigned to the 97th Division. It was organized in June 1922 at Concord, New Hampshire.

Over the years it has been reorganized, redesignated and converted, with its last deactivation in 1995 at Fort Knox when it was known as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 194th Armor Brigade. On Nov. 9, 2006, the unit transferred to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.

The 194th Armored Brigade Headquarters was reactivated July 10, 2007 at Fort Knox, Ky., replacing the 1st Armor Train-ing Brigade. On Oct. 1, 2009, the Armor School reorganized under the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning. The 194th continued its mission at Fort Knox until the Armor School cased its colors at Fort Knox on June 10, 2011 then uncased its colors on June 23, 2011 on Brave Rifles Field, Fort Benning.

The brigade is organized into three battalions. These include the 1st Battalion, 81st Armor (19K OSUT); 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry (19D OSUT); and the 3rd Battalion, 81st Armor (91A/M AIT and Training Support).

Soldiers arriving for training in MOS 19K will be assigned to 1st Battalion, 81st Armor, for 15 weeks of training. Here, they are taught basic skills as well as subjects unique to the 19K MOS. These skills consist primarily of the proper operation and maintenance of the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank and its associated weapons systems. Armor crewman training takes advantage of some of the most state-of-the-art simulation technology available, including the Tank Driver Simulator and Conduct of Fire Trainer. Soldiers going on to units equipped with the advanced M1A2 SEP Abrams receive additional training on the upgraded systems of the M1A2 SEP Main Battle Tank.

Soldiers arriving for training in MOS 19D will be assigned to 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry. 19D OSUT consists of a 16-week program in which Soldiers are trained in a variety of reconnaissance and security skills. Training includes the same skills taught in BCT, as well as the maintenance and operation of the M3A2 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV), the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), and their associated weapon systems. A heavy emphasis is placed on reconnaissance skills, including map reading, land navigation, and use of the global positioning system. Soldiers assigned to serve in units with the Stryker Reconnaissance Vehicle remain for additional training on these systems after successfully completing 19D OSUT.

The 3rd Battalion, 81st Armor, supports the brigade. They provide instructors for a number of common skills such as first aid, NBC, land navigation, communications, basic rifle marksmanship, pistol marksmanship, individual tactical move-ments, hand grenades, operate the Tank Drive Simulator, provide weapons and ammunition support, as well as run and provide instruction on numerous ranges.

The 3rd Battalion, 81st Armor, also teaches Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for armored vehicle mechanics in MOS 91A and 91M. During these 21 and 23 week training programs, Soldiers receive all individual training on maintaining tracked vehicles including the M1A2 family of Main Battle Tanks, the M3A2 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and the M88 recovery vehicle. Within 3-81 Armor, there is also a Marine Corps Detachment that trains Marine Corps Armor Crewmen and mechanics.

194th Battalions:
• 1st Battalion, 81st Armor
• 3rd Battalion, 81st Armor
• 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry

316th Cavalry Brigade
The 316th Cavalry Brigade began its service to the nation when it activated at Camp Hood on Oct. 13, 1942 as Head-quarters and Headquarters Company, 8th Tank Destroyer Group and took its role amongst the newly created Tank De-stroyer Force. The brigade served much of World War II with III Corps and participated in combat operations in Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.

Prior to returning from Europe, the Tank Destroyer Force was abolished, the brigade was re-designated HHT, 316th Cavalry Group, on Aug. 27, 1947 and assigned to the Reserves. The brigade saw several reorganizations, re-designations, and conversions until its formal activation as HHC, 316th Cavalry Brigade, on Aug. 27, 2007 at Fort Knox, Ky. where it assumed the training functions previously associated with the 16th Cavalry Regiment.

The 316th Cavalry Brigade mission is to educate, train and inspire leaders to be agile, adaptive and competent leaders skilled in mounted maneuver and reconnaissance, fully prepared to meet the Army's full spectrum warfighting requirements for the 21st century. At any particular time, more than 500 students are attending one of the brigade's 10 core and combat skills courses which train Armor Force leaders. The brigade also provides technical over watch and subject matter expertise in the development and evaluation of mounted force doctrine, training development, and force development. The brigade demonstrates excellence in mounted operations, capabilities, tactics, techniques, and procedures for the Armor Force.

The brigade is composed of four subordinate units including the 1st, 2nd and 3rd squadrons of the 16th Cavalry Regiment and the Brigade Headquarters Company. Its 1,100 Soldiers and civilians are the backbone of world-class in-struction and personnel support to the Armor School.

The 1st Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, performs the important mission of providing Soldier and equipment support to the Armor School while keeping Armor and Cavalry Soldiers trained and ready for the future. The squadron is organized into five ground troops comprised of more than 600 Soldiers and civilians dedicated to the success of all Armor and Cavalry leader training at Fort Benning. Additionally, the squadron is frequently called upon to highlight armor's role as an essential element of the Army's combined arms team. 1st Squadron accomplishes this mission through participation in exercises, displays and community events such as the Maneuver Conference and the Reconnaissance Summit.

The 2nd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, trains and inspires Armor/Cavalry Lieutenants in order to provide the Army with confident, competent, and agile Armor officers capable of conducting full spectrum operations as part of a combined arms team. In addition to newly commissioned Army armor lieutenants, selected Marine Corps officers and foreign allied officers also attend the course. The Armor Basic Officer Leadership Course prepares officers for their first assignment as platoon leaders with 19 weeks of technical and tactical instruction on tank and reconnaissance platforms.

The 3rd Squadron, 16th Cavalry Regiment, develops leaders to command, lead and train armored and reconnais-sance organizations in full spectrum operations. The squadron is responsible for the execution of programs of instruction for the Army Reconnaissance Course, the M1A1/M1A2 and Stryker MGS Master Gunner Courses, and the Cavalry Leader's Course. The squadron also provides oversight for tank and Bradley New Equipment Training Teams which pro-vide individual, crew, and collective training in support of unit transition to the latest technology and Army combat systems. In addition, the squadron manages the Fort Benning International Military Student Officer who coordinates and supports the thousands of international officers that attend almost every available training courses on Fort Benning.

The brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company provides administrative and logistical support to the regiment.

316th CAV BDE Units:
• 1st Squadron
• 2nd Squadron
• 3rd Squadron
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company

INFANTRY SCHOOL
197th Infantry Brigade
The 197th Infantry Brigade consists of the 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, as well as the Army's CONUS Replacement Center Battalion.

The 197th Infantry Brigade trains and supports training of United States Army Infantry Center/School through subject matter expertise, doctrine development and experimentation, while supporting Outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS) personnel replacement requirements. The more than 2,000 Soldiers and civilians of the 197th also provide subject matter expertise regarding the development and evaluation of doctrine and are the proponents for a variety of training manuals. The 197th Infantry Brigade's battalions conduct training at 43 firing ranges and 25 training areas on Fort Benning, as well as provide mobile training teams in support of the Global War on Terrorism. These battalions have also deployed Soldiers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Two of the battalions still retain their lineage to the 29th Infantry Regiment.

The brigade's AG battalion, the CONUS Replacement Center, prepares deploying personnel for OCONUS theater operations and conducts Theater-Specific Individual Readiness Training for all non-unit associated personnel deploying OCONUS.

1st Battalion, 29th Infantry
The 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry, located in Building 5500, the Collins Training Center, trains Stryker and Bradley Fighting Vehicle operators, vehicle commanders and master gunners on operations, maintenance and the tactical employment of these fighting vehicles.

The battalion's new equipment training team provides resident training to active and reserve units throughout the world. These trainers provide vital instruction for Soldiers and Soldier leaders of all mechanized, cavalry and Stryker units receiving the battle proven M2 Bradley and Stryker vehicles.

2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry
The 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry, located in Building 73, Kyle Hall, trains Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers on various light Infantry weapons systems and tactics. Basic trainees are taught to use small arms, anti-tank weapons and mortars. Furthermore, trainees receive instruction on individual and squad tactics, as well as a number of general subjects. The battalion's instructors also conduct training to support several Infantry School courses, providing further training to our Army's Soldiers and Soldier leaders. The battalion is also the home of the U.S. Army Sniper School and provides subject matter experts to support new and improved small arms fielding plans. Finally, the battalion is the home of the U.S. Army Combatives School and provides subject matter experts to train and certify combatives students and instructors.

CONUS Replacement Center
The CONUS Replacement Center, located in Harmony Church, processes non-unit related personnel-Soldiers and civilians for deployment to and redeployment from 34 different destinations. They annually train more than 30,000 Soldiers for deployment.

The battalion also provides command and control, logistical support and scheduling for Individual Ready Reserve Sol-diers and executes theater specific individual readiness training.

Throughout the spectrum of Infantry Soldier and Infantry Leader training, including materiel and doctrine development and testing, the 197th Infantry Brigade continues to support the U.S. Army Infantry and live up to its motto: "Forever For-ward."

197th Battalions:
• 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment
• 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment
• CONUS Replacement Center, CRC

198th Infantry Brigade
The mission of the 198th Infantry Brigade is to transform civilians into disciplined Infantrymen who embody a Warrior ethos.

One Station Unit Training
One Station Unity Training (OSUT) combines Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to create a 14 week, uninterrupted, training cycle. Within the brigade there are five OSUT battalions with approximately six companies each. These companies conduct up to three class cycles per year, training up to 220 Infantrymen per class.

Each cycle consists of five phases, each one building on the skills and abilities attained from the previous phase. The final two phases consist of a grueling Field Training Exercise (FTX) where each Soldier must demonstrate specific warrior task and battle drills. Upon completion of the FTX, the Soldier is welcomed into the ranks of the Infantry with the awarding of the Blue Cord and crossed rifles and then recognized in a formal graduation ceremony at the National Infantry Museum parade grounds.

The 198th Infantry Brigade was formed in the Organized Reserves in Erie County, Pa., on June 24, 1921. The unit became an organic element of the 99th Infantry Division.

The unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 3rd Platoon of the 99th Cavalry Recon Troop; and on Nov. 15, 1942 was ordered to active military service at Camp Van Dorn, Miss. During World War II, the troop fought with the 99th Infantry Division and received campaign credit for operations in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. The troop was also cited by the Belgian Army for action at Elsenborn and in the Ardennes, and was awarded the Belgian Fourragere. The 99th Cavalry Recon Troop was inactivated on Sept. 29, 1945 at Camp Myles Standish, Mass., and assigned as a reserve component of the 99th Infantry Division.

On Aug. 1, 1962, the 99th Cavalry Recon Troop was relieved from its assignment to the 99th Infantry Division and with-drawn from the Army Reserve. At the same time, the 3rd Platoon of the Troop was converted and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 198th Brigade, and allotted to the Regular Army. The unit began training at Fort Hood in May 1967 with trained jungle fighting techniques and air mobility.

In October 1967, the brigade shipped from Oakland, Calif., to Da Nang, Vietnam. After arriving in Da Nang, the "Brave and Bold" Soldiers boarded troop ships for transportation to Chu Lai, where they arrived on Oct. 22, 1967. Four days later they became a part of the reactivated Americal Division.

On March 18, 1969, the "Brave and Bold" of the 198th Brigade and the 6th ARVN Regiment embarked upon Operation Geneva Park. The mission was to eliminate the enemy forces within the area of operation while stressing pacification and combined US/ARVN operations. The reconnaissance troop was inactivated on Nov. 30, 1971 prior to being transferred on Nov. 9, 2006 to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. 198th Infantry Brigade Headquarters was reac-tivated May 18, 2007 at Fort Benning.

198th Battalions:
• 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry
• 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry
• 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry
• 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry
• 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry

199th Infantry Brigade
The 199th Infantry Brigade is comprised of four battalions. The 199th is focused on training and educating Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, officer candidates and junior officers in the enduring principles of warfare, tempered by recent experiences in the contemporary operating environments. The desired end state is to send the most technically and tactically proficient, physically and mentally tough and adaptable warriors capable of fighting and winning in any environment out to the operational force.

The 199th Infantry Brigade was established on June 24, 1921, in the Organized Reserves and assigned to the 100th Division. After redesignating several times before World War II, the unit became 3rd Platoon, 100th Reconnaissance Troop, 100th Division. It was ordered into active military service Nov. 1942 as the 100th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, 100th Infantry Division. It became mechanized during the war and was inactivated Jan. 1946.

The unit was reactivated June 1966 at Fort Benning as the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. The motto was "Light, Swift and Accurate" and the brigade would live up to this motto. Pressed for rapid deployment to Vietnam, it was swiftly formed and rushed into training. On Nov. 28, 1966, a 280-man advance party arrived in Vietnam followed by the rest of the unit in December.

The unit's special training in counter intelligence helped turn the tide of the Tet offensive in 1968. After four years in Vi-etnam, the unit was moved to Fort Benning, Ga. and was deactivated in October 1970.

The 199th was reactivated in February 1991 and inactivated July 1992 at Fort Lewis, Wash. The 199th Infantry Brigade was reactivated once again in June 2007 at Fort Benning, Ga. as a training unit for Officers and Paratroopers.

Direct Commission Officer Course
The Direct Commission Officer Course mission is designed to train on the fundamental skills that will enable successful completion of the Basic Officer Leader Course. The training will establish a foundation in leadership, physical fitness, mental toughness and tactical and technical proficiency.

2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment
The 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, educates and trains Infantry lieutenants to become competent, confident and professional leaders; able to lead platoons to fight and win in any operational environment. They train more than 1,300 lieutenants annually.

Basic Officer Leaders Course
Over the years the battalion has seen many changes, but the mission remains the same, to prepare Soldiers to train and lead an Infantry platoon into combat. Though a simple mission statement, success involves a lot of hard work, dedication and preparation.

Becoming a competent professional Infantryman begins with preparation months prior to reporting to Fort Benning. It is essential that Soldiers report ready to face the mental and physical challenges. The four areas of proficiency prior to reporting to BOLC-B are physical fitness, tactics, land navigation and swimming.

Officer Candidate School
The 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry, is the active Army's only Officer Candidate School. Its mission is to train, educate and commission officers to provide the Army with leaders of character who live by the Warrior Ethos and Army Values. The battalion, which consists of five training companies and a headquarters company, conducts battle-focused training and develops leadership, which is grounded in leader attributes, skills and actions. They commission more than 1,800 lieutenants annually.

During the summer of 1940, Gen. George Marshall recognized the importance of establishing rigorous training facilities for new officers. The first Infantry OCS class began with 204 candidates and on Sept. 27, 1941, graduated 171 second lieutenants.

Each company trains up to 160 officer candidates in each class and conducts up to three classes a year. This increased operational structure is a reflection of OCS' ability to transform and execute its mission to meet the needs of a changing Army.

The mission of OCS will always remain constant: train selected personnel in the fundamentals of leadership, basic military skills, instill professional ethics, evaluate leadership potential and commission those who qualify as second lieutenants in all 16 basic branches of the Army.

1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment
The 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment has the responsibility to conduct the U.S. Army Airborne basic course, jumpmaster course and pathfinder course. Airborne school instructors are the world renowned "Black Hats" and are from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force.

Students are trained in the use of static line deployed parachutes. The battalion mission is to train paratroopers, jump-masters and pathfinders to provide the Department of Defense with qualified personnel to conduct airborne operations, as well as to forge the paratrooper and warrior ethos in the junior combat leadership of the Army.

Students are trained by the same platoon sergeants, section sergeants and squad leaders for all three phases of train-ing—ground, tower and jump. The execution of this teaching philosophy strengthens unit cohesion, discipline and supervi-sion while providing quality paratroopers throughout the force.

The airborne course is a comprehensive three-week course that qualifies students as static-line parachutists. The first week of training, ground week, students learn how to don the parachute harness, exit an aircraft and execute a par-achute-landing fall. During the second week, tower week, students practice mass exits from a 34-foot tower, landings from the swing landing trainer and practice riser and canopy control on the suspended harness for the T-10D and T-11c parachutes. Students also conduct one drop from the 250-foot tower. The third week is jump week. Students must execute five qualification jumps from a C-130 or C-17 U.S. Air Force aircraft.

The history of the battalion dates back to the end of World War I when Gen. Billy Mitchell proposed that parachuting troops from aircraft into combat could be effective. During the demonstration of his concept at Kelly Field at San An-tonio, Texas, six Soldiers parachuted from a Martin Bomber, safely landed and in less than three minutes after exiting the aircraft, had their weapons assembled and were ready for action.

Spurred by the successful employment of airborne troops by the Germans in their invasion of the low countries, U.S. military branches began an all-out effort to develop this new form of warfare. Controversy surrounded the effort and the various branches made several colorful proposals. The Air Corps made the most unique proposal. Its staff suggested that the Air Infantry be called "Air Grenadiers" and be members of the "Marines of the Air Corps."

In April 1940, the War Department approved plans for the formation of a test platoon of Airborne Infantry to form, equip and train under the direction and control of the Army's Infantry Board. In June, the Commandant of the Infantry School was directed to organize a test platoon of volunteers from Fort Benning's 29th Infantry Regiment.

Later that year, the 2nd Infantry Division was directed to conduct the necessary tests to develop reference data and operational procedures for air-transported troops.

In July 1940, the task of organizing the platoon began. Based on high standards of health and rugged physical characteristics, 48 enlisted men were selected from a pool of 200 volunteers. Quickly thereafter, the platoon moved into tents near Lawson Field and an abandoned hangar was obtained for use as a training hall and for parachute packing. Lt. Col. William C. Lee, a staff officer for the Chief of Infantry, was intently interested in the test platoon. He recom-mended the men be moved to the Safe Parachute Company at Hightstown, N.J. for training on the parachute drop towers used during the New York World's Fair. Eighteen days after organization, the platoon was moved to New Jersey and trained for one week on the 250-foot free towers.

The training was particularly effective. When a drop from the tower was compared to a drop from an airplane, it was found that the added realism was otherwise impossible to duplicate. The drop also proved to the troopers that their parachutes would function safely. The Army was so impressed with the tower drops that two towers were purchased and erected at Fort Benning on what is now Eubanks Field. Later, two more were added. Three of the original four towers are still used to train paratroopers at Fort Benning.

Less than 45 days after organization, the first jump from an aircraft in flight by members of the test platoon was made from a Douglas B-18 over Lawson Field on Aug. 16, 1940.

Silver Wings
The Silver Wings are the official Fort Benning Command Exhibition Parachute Demonstration Team, an airborne tradition since 1958.

The mission of the Silver Wings is to demonstrate advanced freefall techniques, while being available for research and development of state-of-the-art precision freefall techniques and equipment. The Silver Wings have inspired countless airborne students, supported Fort Benning events with their demonstrations and have been ambassadors of the Airborne School, Fort Benning and the Army throughout the United States and the world.

The team is comprised primarily of NCOs and enlisted Soldiers stationed at Fort Benning. These paratroopers proudly undertake the responsibility of representing not only the great Soldiers stationed at Fort Benning, but also those who serve and sacrifice every day, past, present and future in our great Army.

Ranger Training Brigade
The Ranger Training Brigade, located approximately 10 miles from Main Post in the Harmony Church area, is the home of the U.S. Army Ranger School and the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course. The Ranger course develops the combat arms-related functional skills of officers and enlisted volunteers who are eligible for assignment to units whose primary mission is to engage in the close combat, direct fire battle.

The course also returns to the Army a mentally and physically tough leader able to plan, organize, and conduct small unit combat operations in any environment. The course requires students to perform individual as well as collective tasks and missions in a realistic environment under mental and physical stressors that approach those found in combat. Em-phasis is placed on the development of individual abilities to apply established doctrine while further developing lead-ership and military skills in planning and conducting Infantry, airborne, air assault and amphibious squad, platoon and company operations.

The Ranger course is 61 days long with an average of 19.6 hours of training per day, seven days a week. It is divided into three phases of training, with each phase being conducted at a different geographical location. The first phase, Benning Phase, is 20 days long and the 4th Ranger Training Battalion, at Fort Benning, conducts it. The second phase, Mountain Phase, is 21 days long and the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, at Camp Frank D. Merrill near Dahlonega, Ga., conducts it. The third phase, Florida Phase, 18 days long and it is conducted by the 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp James F. Rudder, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course, conducted by the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Benning, is designed to train reconnaissance leaders throughout the U.S. Army to plan and execute reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition missions in support of an intelligence collection plan. It is 26 days in length, with an average training day of 15 hours, seven days a week. It teaches leaders the tactical and technical techniques of communications, special insertion and extraction techniques, intelligence and threat identification, land navigation, surveillance and reconnaissance planning and execution by the train-the-trainer mode. The course end state is to develop leaders who are flexible and can adapt to any environment, trained in finding the enemy; who have the ability to collect, accurately report and communicate intelligence to their maneuver commander.

Given increased Army wide demand for trained, skilled and proven reconnaissance professionals, the RSLC has significantly enhanced its program of instruction, class capacity and class frequency to meet the needs of an Army. Course curriculum is primarily designed to train leaders in Infantry, heavy and Stryker Brigade Combat Team reconnaissance battalions and squadrons, Infantry battalion reconnaissance platoons, long-range surveillance units, USMC reconnaissance units and Special Operations Forces personnel.

The Ranger Training Brigade also conducts the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition annually. The Best Ranger Competition began in 1982 to salute the best two-man "buddy" team in the Ranger Department at Fort Benning. Since then, the competition has been refined to determine the best two-man Ranger team from the entire U.S. Armed Forces. The Best Ranger Competition is held on Fort Benning and is open to the public.

HENRY CARO NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER ACADEMY
The Henry Caro Noncommissioned Officer Academy is named after its first enlisted Commandant, Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Caro. The former Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Julius W. Gates, dedicated the NCO Academy on Jan. 24, 1989.

The Maneuver Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy provides the education, training and ex-perience necessary to enhance leader development by conducting tough and demanding Warrior, Advanced and Senior Leader Level Courses. These courses create adaptive, self-confident leaders who provide inspired leadership to solve complex problems. They operate in a full spectrum environment in an army transforming into the future force, while providing an exceptional quality of life for our Soldiers, DA Civilians and their Families.

NCO Academy courses are professional development courses and part of the NCO Education System. The academy currently trains approximately 5,400 NCOs per year.

Organized with four instructional branches, the academy has a Headquarters Detachment that provides all the training coordination, planning, administrative and logistical support. Each NCO development course divides the students into small groups upon arrival. The academy maintains group integrity throughout the course in physical training, movement, messing, field training exercises and other activities.

Warrior Leader Course
The Warrior Leader Course is 17 days long with 120 students per class, 10 classes per year. It is military occupational specialty immaterial and trains male and female students. The program of instruction is developed by the Sergeant Major Academy and approved by Training Doctrine Command. It is identical to Warrior Leader Course NCO Academies worldwide.

Advanced Leader Course
The Armor 19 Series Advanced Leader Course consists of two phases. Phase I is an MOS common core and will be completed through Distributed Learning. Phase II is seven weeks long and provides tactical and technical leadership training which will prepare noncommissioned officers to perform the duties of a scout section sergeant or tank com-mander with a principal understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a platoon sergeant.

The Armor 91 Series Advanced Leader Course consists of three phases. Phase I is an MOS common core and will be completed through Distributed Learning. Phase II is MOS specific and is also conducted through Distributed Learning. Phase III is an eight week resident course which trains NCOs to perform vehicle maintenance operations and provides them with a principal understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a platoon sergeant.

The Infantry Advanced Leader Course consists of two Phases. Phase I is an MOS Army common core and will be com-pleted through Distributive Learning. The 11B Phase II is a four-week three-day MOS specific technical phase. The 11C Phase II is six weeks of shared training with the Infantry Mortar Leader Course.

Each program of instruction builds upon the training Soldier's received during the Warrior Leader Course.

Maneuver Senior Leader Course
The Maneuver Senior Leader Course is seven weeks long with 192 students per class, six classes per year. It was the first course established under the proponent of the Maneuver Center of Excellence concept.

M-SLC provides training to prepare NCOs to lead and train platoons in either the Infantry or Armor career fields. The program of instruction builds upon the training students received in ALC, prepares students to be platoon sergeants and introduces students to the duties and responsibilities of the first sergeant and battle staff NCO at battalion level.


Battle Staff NCO Course
The Battle Staff NCO Course trains battalion and brigade staff noncommissioned officers to serve as integral members of the battle staff and manage the day-to-day operations of battalion or brigade command posts. Noncommissioned officers will learn their specific staff duties and become familiar with the duties of other staff sections. This course prepares staff sergeants through sergeants major for a rewarding and demanding position in staff operations. The course consists of two phases. Phase I contains 23 self-study lessons with an examination upon completion. Phase II includes interactive small-group instruction and is conducted by video tele-training from the Fort Bliss Sergeant's Major Academy. The Battle Staff NCO course is four weeks long.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY COOPERATION
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation was created in public law as a Department of Defense education facility, opening its doors on January 17, 2001. It provides professional education and training to eligible persons of the nations of the Western Hemisphere, within the context of the democratic principles set forth in the Charter of the Organization of American States. The Institute is subordinate to the Combined Arms Center, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Faculty and staff are members of all branches of the armed services of the United States and other countries, other U.S. government agencies, civilian professors and visiting guest speakers and lecturers. This multi-service, multi-agency and multinational team trained more than 12,400 students in its first decade. Students are men and women—military, law enforcement, and civilians—taking one of 28 professional courses that range from NCO Professional Development and Cadet Leader Development to a fully accredited Command and General Staff Officer Course, the U.S. Army's Intermediate Level Education Course.

WHINSEC is temporarily housed in the historic former officers' quarters on Richardson Circle and will relocate begin-ning next year to the renovated campus that previously housed the National Infantry Museum on Baltzell Avenue.

MCoE LIBRARIES
MCoE Libraries have reference, research, and information services and circulating collections of books, magazines, newspapers, audio books and DVDs. Conference rooms and group study areas are available. Patrons have access to computers, Wi-Fi, scanner, fax, copier and microform reader-printer.

Armor Research Library
The MCoE Armor Research Library is located in Building 5205, 69th Armored Regiment Road in Harmony Church. This facility has a great archive collection of U.S. Army Armor/Cavalry history, with books, periodicals, documents and af-ter-action reports. For more information, call 706-626-7745/7754 and/or e-mail ArmorRefDesk@conus.army.mil.

Donovan Research Library
The MCoE Donovan Research Library is located on the first floor of Building 70, on the east side of Building 4. This facility has an extensive archive collection of U.S. Army Infantry history and Fort Benning history, with books, periodicals, doc-uments, after-action reports, battle accounts written by Soldiers who have attended the advanced course, and issues of the Fort Benning post newspapers starting in the 1920s. For more information, call 706-545-5661/6411, and/or e-mail DonovanRefDesk@conus.army.mil.

Building 497 Branch Library
The MCoE Building 497 Branch Library is located in the NCOA, OCS and IBOLC training education complex in the old Warehouse District on Main Post. It provides reference, research, and information services. For more information, call 706-545-5661 and/or e-mail DonovanRefDesk@conus.army.mil.

MCoE Virtual Branch Library
The MCoE Virtual Branch Library can be accessed 24/7 at www.benning.army.mil/library. The website consists of dig-itized materials from the Donovan and Armor library collections of historical documents, Army publications, student papers, after action reports, Fort Benning and Fort Knox post newspapers. To search the Fort Benning Libraries catalog, go to www.mylibraryus.fmwr.net/search~S69.

The library can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Maneuver-Center-of-Excellence-Libraries/199119863453330. For more infor mation, call 706-545-5661/7377 and/or e-mail DonovaRefDesk@conus.army.mil.