Columbus, GA and Advanced Infantry Training

This week I had the privilege of attending the graduation exercises of 2nd Battalion - 54th Infantry Regiment at Ft. Benning, GA. Essentially in Columbus, GA, this is a hop, skip, and jump from where I was born in Lanett, AL. As kids we thought it was cool to stand with one foot in AL and the other in neighboring West Point, GA. My nephew, Christopher Davis, achieved the rank of PV2 (Private 2nd class) at the request of his drill sergeant. Attending this event was quite an educational experience for me. Our infantry is well-trained, loud and proud.

The Briefing is information time for family.

Chris' proud Mom and Pop pin on his chevrons 

to show his new rank of PV2.

Emily, my sister, PV2 Davis, and Don, my brother-in-law and

a proud Army veteran.

This is a recap of the training they have received. It is 14 weeks.

All future infantry training schedules are to be 22 weeks. 

During their time with us this afternoon these places of 

business are off-limits to our soldier. Some are obvious by name

but others are because they are businesses that have demonstrated

the take advantage of the soldier who comes out of training

with money in the bank. 

Marching in dressed in Dress Blues for the Going Blue

Ceremony. This is where they receive their blue Infantry braid.

Sound Off!

Pop attaches his blue braid. 

Hugs for Mom.

Army from generation to generation. 

Reciting the Army Creed.

The Churning Chattahoochee. That's Alabama on the other side.

The Chattahoochee is the longest river in Georgia beginning in the

mountains in northern part of the state and emptying into the Gulf 

of Mexico. 

This sculpture represents the 4 stages of life of

Christopher Columbus.  See the next photo. 

Former Columbus Iron Works

The River Bluff past industries include: The Muskogee Ice Company which made ice-making machines, Dixie Brewery, Columbus Cotton Press, and The Owens and Tinnon Brass Foundry

Columbus State University has an arts program 

Grape or Orange.

Always have to have a marching band at ceremonies. Right?

Infantry Squad Demonstration.

That's an anti-tank weapon on his back. The

monocular night-scope makes them look

like The Borg when it's in place. 

Here they come. All 600 or so of them.

That's Chris right up front. 

The guy on the end of the first row, to Chris' left, said he would not have made

it through the training without Chris' help. Made me proud. Too bad they are 

not headed to the same first duty station 

Outside the National Infantry Museum.

National Infantry Museum

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