Illinois National Guard Basic Training: 10 Weeks at Fort Benning

Basic training for the Illinois Army National Guard is 10 weeks at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia.

Curriculum Highlights

• Weapons: M4/M16 marksmanship, qualification.
• Tactics: Land navigation, patrol, ambush, react to contact.
• Physical: ACFT (Army Combat Fitness Test) — 6 events, gender/age-normed.
• Drill & Ceremony: Marching, formations, customs/courtesies.
• Classroom: Military law (UCMJ), Army values, ethics, first aid, CBRN, map reading.
• Leadership: Team/squad roles, followership, intro to counseling.

After BCT: Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for MOS (job) — length varies (14 wks–1+ yr). Then return to IL unit (e.g., 33rd IBCT, 108th Sustainment Bde, 183rd Wing).

Air Guard basic is 7.5 weeks at JB San Antonio-Lackland, TX.