The United States Army transforms new recruits through a standardized foundational program known as Basic Combat Training (BCT). This initial entry process is mandatory for all enlisted soldiers. To manage the high volume of personnel, the Army utilizes a network of geographically distinct installations across the country. This article identifies the major posts where new soldiers begin their careers.
Understanding Army Basic Combat Training (BCT)
Basic Combat Training (BCT) is a rigorous, approximately 10-week program designed to transition a civilian into a disciplined soldier. The goal is to instill the Army’s core values, develop physical and mental toughness, and teach fundamental soldiering skills. This training is divided into three progressive phases, each identified by a color.
The first, or Red Phase, spans the initial three weeks and focuses on discipline, drill and ceremony, and the fundamentals of Army life. Recruits are introduced to basic soldier skills, including first aid and the Warrior Ethos. The White Phase, often called the rifleman phase, focuses on weapons proficiency, marksmanship, and fieldcraft like land navigation.
The final Blue Phase covers the last three to four weeks, culminating in “The Forge,” a multi-day field exercise. This capstone event tests a soldier’s ability to apply learned skills, teamwork, and resilience under simulated combat stress. Upon successful completion, the recruit earns the title of Soldier and is ready for military occupational specialty training.
Primary Basic Training Installations
The Army conducts initial training at four main installations, each with a specific mission and focus area. These sites manage the logistical and instructional requirements for tens of thousands of recruits annually. The experience at each location varies based on its geographical setting and the types of Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) it supports.
Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Located near Columbia, South Carolina, Fort Jackson is the largest of the Army’s Initial Entry Training centers. It trains approximately 50% of all recruits entering the Army each year. This installation is the primary location for soldiers entering non-combat arms specialties, such as administrative, medical, and support roles. The environment features hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Fort Moore, Georgia
Fort Moore, located near Columbus, Georgia, is known as the “Home of the Infantry” and the Maneuver Center of Excellence. It is the primary training site for soldiers entering the Infantry and Armor branches. Training utilizes extensive large training areas and live-fire ranges necessary for maneuver warfare specialties. The climate features hot and humid conditions, which affects the physical demands of the training cycle.
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Situated in the Missouri Ozarks, Fort Leonard Wood serves as the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence. This post specializes in training for three branches: Engineer, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN), and Military Police. The post is known for its diverse terrain and highly variable climate, including cold winters and significant snow.
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Fort Sill, located in Lawton, Oklahoma, is the Army’s primary center for Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery training. The installation features extensive land for conducting live-fire artillery exercises. Trainees contend with a climate known for extreme temperature variations, including intense heat and strong, cold winds.
The Difference Between BCT and One Station Unit Training (OSUT)
The Army’s initial training pipeline uses two models: Basic Combat Training (BCT) followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT), or One Station Unit Training (OSUT). In the BCT/AIT model, the 10-week BCT is completed, and the soldier relocates to a separate installation for AIT. During AIT, they learn the specific skills for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which can last from a few weeks to several months depending on the job.
The OSUT model combines BCT and AIT into one continuous training cycle at the same location with the same unit and drill sergeants. There is no break or relocation between the foundational and specialty phases, creating a seamless, often longer, program. Fort Moore and Fort Leonard Wood primarily run OSUT programs for combat arms and combat support MOSs, such as Infantry, Armor, and Military Police. Fort Jackson and Fort Sill primarily conduct the standard 10-week BCT phase, after which trainees proceed to a separate AIT location for specialized instruction.
How Basic Training Locations Are Assigned
The Army determines a recruit’s Basic Training location; the process is not based on geographic preference or choice. The most significant factor is the recruit’s assigned Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which dictates the type of training required. If the MOS requires OSUT, the recruit must attend the installation that hosts that specific continuous program, such as Fort Moore for Infantry.
For MOSs that follow the standard BCT/AIT split, assignment to BCT sites (Fort Jackson or Fort Sill) is based on current training load and capacity. The Army balances the number of recruits arriving at each post to ensure companies are formed efficiently and resources are not overburdened. Seasonal availability and the training schedule for specific MOSs can also play a secondary role in the final assignment decision.
Preparing for the Basic Training Environment
Recruits should understand that the training environment will be physically demanding, regardless of the assigned post. The four main training locations span a wide range of climates, from the high humidity of the Southeast to the extreme temperature swings of the Great Plains. Trainees must be prepared for environmental challenges, including intense heat, humidity, cold, snow, and high winds.
Preparation should focus on physical fitness and an awareness of the logistical realities of military life. Upon arrival, recruits enter a reception phase for administrative processing, including medical screenings and uniform issue. Communication is highly restricted across all locations, with initial contact limited to a brief phone call or letter to the next of kin. Being mentally prepared for a loss of personal freedom and constant environmental exposure helps ease the transition into the rigorous training schedule.