Award-winning monument to the country’s Infantrymen features simulators, IMAX and more close to Atlanta
COLUMBUS, GA –One trip up the Last 100 Yards Ramp, a signature exhibit at the entrance to the National Infantry Museum featuring eight vignettes of historic Infantry battles beginning with the Revolutionary War, leaves the visitor humbled, inspired and forever changed. Located 90 minutes south of Atlanta off I-185, the National Infantry Museum is a Smithsonian-quality monument to patriotism, and showcases exhibits featuring Army artifacts, immersive experiences, interactive sections including combat simulators, an IMAX theatre and on-site restaurant and gift shop. The Museum includes an entire section dedicated to young minds where little ones can try on soldier uniforms in a room accented by oversized murals featuring Infantrymen engaging in humanitarian work. Step into a special alcove designed to look like the interior of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle outfitted with View-Master-style eyepieces displaying scenes inside Afghanistan; the experience allows individuals to embody the hearts and souls of those bravely serving our country. People of all ages love the facility’s combat simulators, including a rifle range, the same simulator used by the Army to train soldiers, where individuals can take turns racking up points during target practice. The Army and the Museum are the only entities using this simulator. Like a video game on steroids, the other simulator is a Humvee outfitted with five weapons allowing five people at once to climb inside and participate in a rescue mission projected on giant screens surrounding the off-road vehicle. Starting in March 2014, the Museum will be the home of a retired traveling Vietnam Wall as part of a memorial constructed for the 58,000 patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War; the monument will also include a place of reflection for Vietnam Veterans and their families. For a small fee, several guided tour options are available to visitors, and every Thursday and Friday afternoon Fort Benning hosts military graduations on the grounds of the Museum, a feel-good and moving free event complete with pomp and circumstance and open to the public.
If you go
Breathe new life into the entire experience and come full circle with a visit to Columbus’ nearby Fort Benning where you can watch with awe – and new meaning – as soldiers parade down the street. Also nearby, the Columbus Whitewater experience is the largest urban whitewater course in the world and rounds out a visit to the area with another exhilarating dose of adrenaline-raising excitement. Stay near the Infantry at the practically on-site hotel and spend a weekend or week-long getaway exploring true Americana. Museum Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays) Sunday: 11am-5pm; Free admission, $5 donation per person requested. Expand the inspiration and connect with the National Infantry Museum on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. For more information, visit: www.NationalInfantryMuseum.org.
Groups Connect at Columbus, Ga.’s National Infantry Museum
Celebrate the spirit of America with interactive fun, expansive meeting space, in-house catering and one-of-a-kind team-building missions
COLUMBUS, GA – MARCH 2014 – Groups of all sizes are welcomed at the National Infantry Museum, located 90 minutes south of Atlanta off I-185, a Smithsonian-quality monument to patriotism. Here, exhibits featuring Army artifacts, immersive experiences, interactive sections including combat simulators, an IMAX theatre and on-site restaurant and gift shop bring new meaning to group travel. The Museum can accommodate a wide variety of public and private events, from intimate gatherings in the Continental Room, to day-long corporate meetings with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment in the Heritage Hall, to glitzy formal balls in the Grand Hall, to birthday parties complete with an IMAX film! Reunion groups, especially, can take advantage of the Museum’s customized experiences – like participating in combat simulator operations with active duty soldiers, on-site catering and spacious meeting and gathering rooms perfect for catching up on the stories of yesteryear. Groups of all sizes will leave forever humbled, inspired and changed after a trip up the Last 100 Yards Ramp, a signature exhibit at the entrance to the National Infantry Museum featuring eight vignettes of historic Infantry battles, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Another favorite: the facility’s interactive combat simulators, including a rifle range, the same simulator the Army uses to train soldiers. The Army and the Museum are the only entities using this simulator. Like a video game on steroids, the other simulator is a Humvee outfitted with five weapons allowing five people at once to climb inside and participate in a rescue mission projected on giant screens surrounding the off-road vehicle. Expand the group experience with team-building opportunities along the nearby Columbus Whitewater adventure, the largest urban whitewater course in the world – a perfect way to round out a visit to the area with an exhilarating dose of adrenaline-raising excitement. Stay near the Infantry at the practically on-site hotel and spend a weekend or week-long getaway reconnecting with others and the true spirit of America. Museum Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays) Sunday: 11am-5pm; Free admission, $5 donation per person requested. Expand the inspiration and connect with the National Infantry Museum on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. For more info, visit: www.NationalInfantryMuseum.org.
Sidebar
Groups can expand a visit to the National Infantry Museum with the following opportunities at nearby Fort Benning. A minimum of six weeks’ notice is required to make the process seamless.
Airborne School Graduation: Conducted on Eubanks Field usually on Friday (9 a.m. in the summer months, 10 a.m. in the winter months). Duration: 45-60 minutes.
Airborne School overview and 34 foot towers: An overview of the three weeks of Airborne School (Ground, Tower and Jump weeks respectively) including an explanation of the monuments on the Airborne Walk on Eubanks Field, and of the 18 monuments representing the 18 combat jumps conducted by paratroopers since WW II). The 34 foot tower is a training apparatus that tour groups can jump from which is used in Airborne School to simulate exiting an aircraft from altitude. Duration: 1-2 hours for a larger group.
Fryar Drop Zone: View Airborne drops
Rangers in Action Demonstration: This is a monthly demonstration held at Hurley Hill that highlights what Ranger Students are taught in the three phases of Ranger School (Benning, Mountain, Swamp Phases respectively). The event lasts 50 minutes and is followed by the Ranger School Graduation. Some groups may also enjoy a stop by the Ranger Training Brigade Headquarters Building at Camp Rogers to see the Ranger Hall of Fame.
United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) Demonstrations: Witness a shotgun demonstration, which provides an overview of the skill and training it takes to be a world class shooter. Duration 30-40 minutes.
The Abrams and Bradley Fighting Vehicle Facilities on Harmony Church: Here two separate facilities showcase the M1 Abrams Tank and the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Mechanics are trained here on both vehicles and groups are often broken down into small sub groups, which allows them to actually get in the turrets of the vehicles and see the vehicle and its characteristics, while asking subject matter experts questions. Duration: Minimum 1 hour per facility.
The Wood Simulations Center: This experience provides an overview of the training Facility and weapons simulators (50 caliber, M240 Machine Guns, M4 rifles etc.) This event is subject to qualified contractors being available. The Wood Sims Center also has M1 and M2 driver simulators.
Fort Benning Dining Facilities (DFAC) are available upon request and provide a unique experience of dining with Soldiers. The cost is $4.60 per person (cash or check only).
The Benning Club provides a buffet lunch and event facilities (the old Officer’s Club).
Obstacle Courses and Leader Reaction Courses: An opportunity for a group to participate in team-building.
Observe unit training: This experience is subject to specific training etc.
Windshield Tours of the base highlight the following:
Riverside Mansion (Commanding General’s Residence), Harmony Church, Sand Hill, Kelley Hill, Main Post, to include McGinnis Wickam Hall (building 4) home of the MCoE and Infantry and Armor Schools, housing areas, elementary and middle schools.