Basic training at Fort Benning, one of the United States Army’s largest basic training centers, typically lasts about 10 weeks for most new Army recruits. The length of basic combat training (BCT) can vary slightly depending on the specific training program and Army occupational specialty (MOS) a recruit is assigned to.
Overview of Basic Training at Fort Benning
Fort Benning is located in Columbus, Georgia and serves as a training center for the U.S. Army. It is home to the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence which oversees several different training programs. Fort Benning has dozens of training areas and facilities to support basic combat training for new recruits.
All new Army recruits will undergo BCT at Fort Benning or another Army training center. BCT is designed to provide recruits with basic soldiering skills and prepare them both mentally and physically for service in the Army. Recruits will learn skills like marksmanship, first aid, drill and ceremony, Army values, phyiscal fitness and more during this initial training phase.
The length of BCT at Fort Benning is typically 10 weeks and is very structured, with recruits expected to follow a strict daily schedule. A typical day starts early with physical fitness training, followed by breakfast, then classroom instruction or hands-on training until late afternoon. Evenings are spent on personal time, equipment maintenance, studying for tests, and preparing uniforms and gear for the next day.
While 10 weeks is standard for most Army recruits, the length can vary slightly depending on which BCT program the recruit is assigned to:
- Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) – 22 weeks total
- Cavalry OSUT – 19 weeks total
- Armor OSUT – 16 weeks total
- Basic Combat Training (BCT) – 10 weeks
- Split Option BCT – 8 weeks in summer, 2 weeks in winter
The Infantry, Cavalry, and Armor OSUT programs are longer because they combine BCT with advanced individual training (AIT) to qualify recruits in specialized combat arms occupations. The Split Option program allows recruits to split BCT into two phases over two summers.
Week By Week Overview of Basic Training
While each company at Fort Benning will go through training at a slightly different schedule and pace, the 10 weeks of BCT roughly break down into the following phases and training focuses:
Week 1: Introduction and Processing
- In-processing, uniform issue, medical exams
- Army values, discipline, military courtesies
- Haircuts, rules and regulations
- Drill and ceremony, marching techniques
- Physical fitness assessment
Week 2-3: Red Phase
- Basic rifle marksmanship and maintenance
- Introduction to protective mask and combatives training
- Hand grenade familiarization and throwing
- Foot marches and obstacle course introduction
- Land navigation basics
Week 4-6: White Phase
- Weapons qualification training
- First aid basics
- Expanded land navigation courses
- Foot marches up to 5 miles with load
- Confidence course obstacles
- New Army Physical Fitness Test
Week 7-9: Blue Phase
- Urban operations training
- Convoy live fire exercises
- Additional obstacle course and fitness testing
- Rappelling tower exercises
- Confidence combat course
- 9 mile foot march and field training exercise
Week 10: Final Training Exercises
- Night infiltration course
- Warrior tower obstacles
- Final exams and graduation prep
- Turn in equipment and uniforms
- BCT graduation parade
Typical Daily Schedule During Basic Training
While the training focus changes week-by-week, the daily schedule during BCT at Fort Benning generally follows a similar pattern:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0400 – 0500 | Wake Up and Personal Hygiene |
| 0500 – 0600 | Physical Fitness Training |
| 0600 – 0700 | Personal Hygiene and Cleanup |
| 0700 – 0800 | Breakfast in Chow Hall |
| 0800 – 1200 | Morning Training Sessions |
| 1200 – 1300 | Lunch Chow |
| 1300 – 1700 | Afternoon Training Sessions |
| 1700 – 1800 | Dinner Chow |
| 1800 – 2100 | Personal Time |
| 2100 | Lights Out |
Recruits at Fort Benning will follow this rigorous schedule 6-7 days a week over the 10 weeks of training. Schedule flexibility depends on the training events planned each day.
Challenges of Basic Training
Enduring the demanding 10-week cycle of BCT at Fort Benning will be one of the biggest challenges recruits face in their Army careers. Both mentally and physically, BCT will push most recruits harder than they have ever been pushed before.
Some of the biggest challenges recruits face during basic training include:
- Physical Fitness Routine – Recruits participate in intense physical training five or more days a week, with running, calisthenics, obstacle courses and other conditioning that build combat readiness. Many recruits are pushed beyond their perceived physical limits.
- Mental Stamina – The endless marching, classroom work, field exercises and verbal instruction require recruits to stay focused and alert for 10+ hours a day for 10 straight weeks, which can be mentally exhausting.
- Stressful Environment – Drill sergeants keep almost constant pressure on recruits through strict discipline, rigorous training standards, inspections, and correction for mistakes. Recruits must be mentally tough.
- Isolation – Outside of limited letter writing, recruits are cut off from contact with family and friends during BCT. This isolation can take a toll over 2+ months.
- Sleep Deprivation – With 12+ hour days starting before dawn, recruits operate on just 6-7 hours of sleep per night during training. Ongoing fatigue makes training even tougher.
While extremely challenging, recruits who push themselves to successfully graduate from Fort Benning’s basic training program gain skills, confidence, discipline and a sense of accomplishment that stays with them throughout their Army service.
Graduation and Post-BCT Training
Surviving and meeting all the requirements of BCT results in an Army basic training graduation ceremony at Fort Benning. Family and friends are able to attend this ceremony to see the new Soldiers march in review and be honored for their achievement.
After graduation, Soldiers transition to the next phase of their Army training: Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The length and location of AIT depends on the Soldier’s assigned MOS or job field. Infantry, armor and cavalry OSUT graduates remain at Fort Benning for several more weeks of specialized combat arms training before getting their first duty assignment.
Other recruits shipping to their assigned AIT sites across the U.S. typically get 10 days of leave to go home before starting their next training phase. AIT lengths vary from 4 weeks up to nearly a year for the most complex MOS’s like Special Forces and Cryptologic Linguists.
Conclusion
In summary, the length of Army basic combat training at Fort Benning is approximately 10 weeks. This demanding training cycle is broken into different phases focusing on combat skills, physical fitness, weapons, field training and Army values. While challenging, graduating BCT is an accomplishment that gives Soldiers confidence and capabilities that will pay dividends throughout their time in service. The training transforms new recruits into competent warfighters ready to defend America’s interests wherever required.