Army Infantry School, Ft. Benning

• Establishment: The U.S. Army Infantry School was established in 1918 at Camp Benning, Georgia, to formalize infantry training during World War I. • Home of the Infantry: Fort Benning is known as the "Home of the Infantry," serving as the primary training center for U.S. Army infantry soldiers and officers. • Infantry Blue Cord: Graduates of the Infantry School's training receive the iconic Infantry Blue Cord, a distinctive mark of the infantry branch. • Ranger School Origin: The legendary U.S. Army Ranger School began at Fort Benning in 1950, further cementing the post’s reputation for elite training. • Officer Candidate School: The Infantry School hosted Officer Candidate School (OCS) during World War II, helping to commission tens of thousands of new officers. • Airborne and Air Assault Roots: Fort Benning was the birthplace of the Army’s Airborne forces, with the first parachute jump training conducted there in 1940. • Famous Alumni: Many notable military leaders, including Generals Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, graduated from courses at the Infantry School. • National Infantry Museum: The National Infantry Museum, located just outside Fort Benning, preserves the history and stories of the American infantryman and is a major attraction. • Integration of Training: The Infantry School was one of the first Army institutions to fully integrate training for all races following President Truman’s Executive Order 9981 in 1948. • Legacy of Transformation: Over its century-long history, the Infantry School has continually adapted its programs, from trench warfare to modern combined arms and digital battlefield tactics.