United States Army Infantry School

United States Army Infantry School
Unit name	United States Army Infantry School
Dates	1918–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Training school
Role	Infantry doctrine, training, and leader development
Garrison	Fort Moore, Georgia
Nickname	The Home of the Infantry
Motto	"Follow Me!"

United States Army Infantry School. It is the primary institution within the United States Army responsible for developing infantry-specific doctrine, training infantrymen and leaders, and managing the Infantry Branch. Known as "The Home of the Infantry," it is headquartered at Fort Moore in Georgia. The school falls under the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and is a key component of the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

History

The school's origins trace to its establishment in 1918 at Fort Benning, which was later renamed Fort Moore in 2023. Its creation was driven by lessons learned from World War I, particularly the need for standardized infantry tactics and leadership. During World War II, under the leadership of influential commanders like Omar Bradley, it expanded dramatically, training entire infantry divisions for campaigns in North Africa, the Italian campaign, and the Normandy landings. The post-war era saw adaptation for Korean War and Vietnam War challenges, including developments in air assault and counterinsurgency warfare. Throughout the Cold War and into contemporary conflicts like the Global War on Terrorism, it has continuously evolved its curriculum to address modern battlefields, integrating lessons from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organization and structure

The school is organized under the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore, which also oversees the Armor school. It is divided into several key directorates and brigades focused on specific training and development functions. The 198th Infantry Brigade and the 199th Infantry Brigade are responsible for conducting the core Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) for enlisted soldiers. The 316th Cavalry Brigade manages the Army National Guard's and Army Reserve's officer candidate program. Other critical elements include the Directorate of Training and Doctrine, which develops field manuals and TRADOC publications, and the Ranger School, which operates as a separate but closely affiliated elite leadership course.

Training programs

Its flagship program is the 22-week Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT), which combines Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training for all enlisted infantrymen. For officers, the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (IBOLC) provides newly commissioned second lieutenants with foundational tactical skills. The school also administers the demanding Ranger School, a two-month combat leadership course culminating in the Ranger Tab. Additional specialized courses include the Pre-Ranger course, Sapper Leader Course, Master Gunner training, and instruction for military advisors. Training emphasizes marksmanship at ranges like Mackall Range, Land navigation, small unit tactics, and combined arms operations.

Notable graduates and personnel

The institution has produced a vast number of the U.S. military's most prominent leaders. Notable graduates include Generals of the Army Omar Bradley and George Marshall, along with celebrated commanders like George S. Patton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Creighton Abrams. Renowned figures from later conflicts include Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. of the Gulf War and David Petraeus of the Iraq War. Famed individuals from other services who attended include Medal of Honor recipient James H. Doolittle of the United States Army Air Forces and astronaut Frank Borman of NASA. Key commandants who shaped the school's legacy include John J. Pershing and William C. Westmoreland.

Facilities and locations

Its primary and historic home is Fort Moore, a major Army installation near Columbus, Georgia. Key training facilities on post include the massive Mackall Range complex for live-fire exercises, the Leadership Reaction Course, and the Airborne School drop zones. The National Infantry Museum and adjacent Soldier Walk are located just outside the fort's gates. While Fort Moore is the central hub, the school's influence extends through satellite training sites and its doctrine is implemented at TRADOC schools worldwide, including the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson.

Role and significance

It serves as the intellectual and training center for the entire U.S. Army Infantry, determining the standards, tactics, and equipment for the force. Its role in developing and publishing official infantry doctrine through field manuals is critical for force-wide standardization. By producing the majority of the Army's frontline combat leaders and soldiers, it directly shapes the service's core fighting capability. Its enduring motto, "Follow Me!", encapsulates its central mission to cultivate the decisive leadership and warrior ethos required for close combat, making it a cornerstone of the Army's maneuver and combined arms warfighting doctrine.

Category:United States Army schools Category:Infantry Category:Training and Doctrine Command