The Army Basic Combat Training locations that you are assigned to will depend on your chosen Army Job (MOS, Military Occupational Specialty), which is selected upon enlistment. If the basic training location you are going to is more than 250 miles away, the US Army will fly you, via commercial airline, to the basic combat training location, free of charge. Otherwise, the US Army will shuttle you on a bus or van to your destination. Either way, the US Army pays for it.
Army Basic Training Locations
The US Army currently has 5 basic training locations that are currently active. No matter what MOS you enlisted into the US Army as you can expect the first 9-10 weeks of your Army career will start in one of these 5 basic training locations.
- Fort Benning, Georgia; also provides Infantry and Cavalry Scout OSUT — Ft. Benning has been renamed to Ft. Moore
- Fort Jackson, South Carolina; largest of all Basic Training locations.
- Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; also provides engineering, chemical warfare, and military police OSUT
- Fort Sill, Oklahoma; also provides artillery OSUT
- Fort Knox, Kentucky
- Female Army recruits are sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Sill, or Fort Jackson, which have gender-integrated training.
One Station Unit Training Locations
With some Army Jobs (MOS), both the Army Basic Training and AIT phases of training are accomplished back to back at the same basic training location, with the same drill sergeants, as well as with the same fellow recruits. This is called One Station Unit Training, or OSUT. For example, the Infantry MOS consists of the usual Basic Training followed by five weeks of AIT, all within the same basic training location. A similar program is followed for all cavalry scouts, tank crewmen, field artillery cannon crewmen, military police, combat engineers, and chemical operations (defensive) specialists. For all other MOSs, you will be attending a separate location for your AIT.
- Red Phase (Weeks 1-3): This is the most intense phase, where recruits learn the fundamentals of Army life, including drill and ceremony, physical fitness, and discipline. It’s also when recruits are introduced to basic weapons like the grenade.
- White Phase (Weeks 4-6): Known as the rifleman phase, recruits focus on weapons training, marksmanship, and field survival skills.
- Blue Phase (Weeks 7-9): The final phase, where recruits solidify their skills and prepare for graduation. The focus is on advanced training exercises and teamwork.