The selection criterion for military students is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 12-15. Civilian student criteria is contained in the Department of Defense (DOD) Security Assistance Management Manual (Part II) and AR 12-15.

Per paragraph 9-3, AR 12-15, foreign military trainees (FMTs) will receive a living allowance per Table 9-1. But, due to recent changes in the living allowance rates, it is advisable for Security Assistance Organizations (SAOs) to specify in Block 16 of Invitation Travel Orders (ITOs) the rate that the FMT is programmed to receive.

Per paragraph 10-4, AR 12-15, dated 1 October 1985, SAOs are required to furnish biographical data on each officer attending courses at WHINSEC no later than 10 days prior to the student's reporting date. DD Form 13961, dated September 1980, is the designated document for this information.

Per paragraph 10-29, AR 12-15, foreign governments are responsible for issuing necessary passports and for obtaining visas for entry into the United States. The government should ensure that passports and visas of FMTs and their dependents are valid for the duration of the training period.

Per paragraph 10-46, AR 12-15, SAOs will require a signed statement from a medical and dental authority stating that the FMT has received, within the 3 preceding months, a thorough physical examination before issuing an ITO. A complete immunization record is also required before the FMT is authorized to travel. Of particular interest to the preventive medicine community at Fort Benning is verification of tuberculosis testing. Vaccinations for tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, and polio are recommended. A complete physical examination with HIV testing, less immunizations, is given to all students who are enrolled in strenuous or lengthy courses. Examinations are charged to course costs.

During the in-country pre-departure briefing, SAOs should advise the FMTs on difficulties and restrictions involving non-authorized dependents.

While students report with enough time on their visas, dependents sometimes arrive with a visa expiring on or before the ending date of the course. Students should be advised that an extension of their dependents' visas might be required.

U.S. military group or equivalent representatives prepare necessary Invitational Travel Orders in accordance with the DOD Security Assistance Management Manual, and U.S. Army South (USARSO) guidance on Living Allowance for Foreign Military Trainees and Foreign Guest Instructors. Copies of orders should be given to each prospective student well in advance of their expected departure, to allow time for planning and preparation. Upon arrival, all students must have a passport and an international immunization record valid for the duration of training at WHINSEC.

In accordance with AR 12-15, if a student is airborne-qualified, he may be placed on jump status and allowed to participate in airborne operations. The ITO must indicate in Block 15h(1) "FMT is parachute-qualified and authorized to participate in airborne operations from U.S. aircraft."

The local commercial airport is Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CMA), about 15 miles from Fort Benning. Connecting flights to Columbus are available through Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, 100 miles north of Columbus. Students must ensure they are ticketed all the way to Columbus, Georgia (not Columbus, Ohio, or other cities named Columbus). Lawson Army Airfield, on Fort Benning, may also be used for military aircraft flights carrying groups of allied students. Arrival messages must be received 14 days prior to student arrival. A WHINSEC representative will meet all arriving students.

During duty hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. (0800-1700) Mon - Fri)
International Student Division
Commercial: (706) 545-3754/8522
DSN: (835) 3754/8522

After duty hours:
WHINSEC Staff Duty NCO
Commercial: (706) 545-4343/4329
DSN: 835-4343/4329

If a WHINSEC representative does not meet you at the Columbus Metropolitan Airport, contact the Military Liaison Desk there. If you take a commercial taxi from the airport, you must ask for a signed receipt for reimbursement. The cost is between $20.00 and $25.00.

Report dates are indicated on the course program schedule. If a taxi or private automobile is used, students must report to the Directorate of Training, WHINSEC, Bldg. 35, Room 339 or 340, during duty hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). After duty hours, students report to Headquarters Company in Bldg. 2816 for room assignment, and then report, in uniform, to the company of assignment the next working day at 9 a.m.

Students attending the Command and General Staff Officer Course (OPME-4) are authorized dependent travel and encouraged to bring their families. All other students should be discouraged from bringing dependents, as they cannot be command-sponsored.

Only the authorized dependents of Command and General Staff Officer Course students will receive identification cards and receive the rights associated with being command-sponsored. Students who enroll their children in the school must bring immunization records for their children.

Students authorized dependent travel should arrive early to make necessary housing and transportation arrangements prior to dependent arrival. Students electing to bring dependents at their own expense must make housing and transportation arrangements and have families completely settled prior to the reporting date for the course.

The Bachelor Officer Quarters at Fort Benning is available to officers at $20.50 per day; maid service is mandatory. Officers may eat at the Follow Me Dining Facility in Henry Hall, or the Mini-Mall PX Complex. Cooking in rooms is strictly prohibited.

Enlisted personnel normally will be billeted in Building 2816. Field Intensive Course students also stay in the billets in Building 2816. International Military Education and Training (IMET) enlisted students will be issued a meal card by the company to which they are assigned. The card entitles them to 3 meals a day at no charge in a Dining Facility.

Married students accompanied by their families will reside off-post. The Guest House (30 days maximum stay) is available on a first-come basis. Suitable apartments rent from $350.00 to $650.00 a month. Security deposits are required and range from one-half to one month's rent. Apartments normally require a six-month lease; with a military clause and a 30-day termination notification, the term may be shorter. Furnished apartments do not include cooking utensils or linens. The Army Community Service (ACS) Lending Closet loans such items, but only for a 30-day period.

The following is a guideline for costs you may expect during the first month at Fort Benning:

With dependents:
Apartment - $350.00 to $650.00 (may be higher)
Security Deposit - $200.00
Utilities - $100.00
Telephone deposit - $250.00
Automobile - $2,500.00
Auto Insurance - $600.00 (annually)
TOTAL- $4,000.00 - $4,300.00

Without dependents: BOQ (with maid service) - $615.00
Telephone Deposit - $250.00
Automobile - $2,500.00
Auto Insurance - $600.00 (annually)
TOTAL - $3,765.00

(Note: Not all apartment complexes provide coin-operated laundry services.)

Please keep cash to a minimum while traveling. Travelers checks (U.S. denominations) can be readily converted to cash at any bank, but certified or cashier checks will not be paid until they have cleared through the International Banking System (15-20 days).

For IMET students receiving only travel allowance for the continental United States (CONUS), travel status starts at the time of departure from the CONUS port of entry, and terminates upon arrival at Fort Benning. SAOs should ensure the student has same-day connecting flights or overnight accommodations at the port of entry.

Pay vouchers for IMET students must be turned in to the Finance Office by the 15th of each month, with payday on the 30th. Students should be advised that arrival after the 15th of the month means that their first payday will not be until the end of the succeeding month.

All arrangements for transportation to and from Fort Benning will be made in accordance with AR 12-15.

Shuttle bus, commercial bus, and taxi are available. Areas considered within walking distance of the billets or BOQ is not served by government transportation.

If government transportation is used to transport students to the airport, they are entitled to carry two (2) suitcases/duffel bags (not to exceed a total of 140 pounds) and one (1) carry-on piece of luggage.

In accordance with AR 12-15, each prospective student must receive a complete physical examination, to include a tuberculosis test, prior to issuance of Invitational Travel Orders. An international immunization record, chest x-rays, and a copy of the certified physical examination must accompany each student. Failure to receive a complete physical examination and provide a certified copy upon arrival will result in charges to the country for these medical expenses. Additionally, medically unfit students will be returned home at the country's expense.

At Fort Benning, the Martin Army Community Hospital offers a full range of medical services. Troop Medical Clinic #1 is available for routine sick call, and the Bernheim Dental Clinic provides emergency dental care. There are several full-service civilian hospitals and dental facilities in Columbus.

Medical and Dental services for all students and their authorized dependents is determined by agreement between the students country and the U.S. Government.

An international driver's license is recommended; but at a minimum, students and dependents must bring their national license. The state of Georgia will honor their country's driver's license for a period of one year.

Students must show proof of insurance for a purchased vehicle prior to registration and application for a title. There are several insurance companies in Columbus that consistently serve WHINSEC students competently and reasonably.

The Georgia State Driver License test is offered in Spanish,
Wed - Fri, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (0900-1400), for a cost of $15.00 (cash only). The law questions are in Spanish and the road signs are in English.

All vehicles purchased by students and operated on Fort Benning must be properly registered with the Military Police.

Students driving back to their home country must have authorization indicated on the ITOs and must obtain a certified statement from the Columbus Police Department indicating the vehicle has no liens or warrants.

Students and their authorized dependents are afforded full commissary, post exchange, Class VI, open mess, postal services, recreational, banking and credit union privileges.

Per paragraph 10-15 (d), AR 12-15, dependents of FMTs without authorization on the ITO are not authorized either commissary or exchange privileges, or medical care at DOD facilities.

In many cases, student officers are senior in rank to the other students or instructors. All students are accorded the respect due their rank, but will compete in the same training environment and to the same standard as their junior counterparts. Unwillingness to cooperate and failure to participate in training events detract from learning and are detrimental to other students and goals of security assistance. Prospective students should be counseled regarding this fact.

The WHINSEC offers on-post college classes conducted by Columbus College and Troy State University. Students wishing to attend college courses must bring official transcripts, in English, from all colleges and universities attended. An undergraduate student with less than 30 quarter hours of college work must also provide a high school transcript. The prospective student must send for an official evaluation of foreign educational credentials. For more information on enrollment and credential evaluation procedures, contact: Ms. Cheryl Buttler at 545-1841.

The Department of Defense Informational Program (DOD IP) seeks to ensure that all students receive a balanced understanding of U.S. society, institutions and ideals, in accordance with AR 12-15, Chapter 11, and the DOD IP objectives.

The DOD IP has the following objectives:

Tours: The number of IP tours a student receives is determined by the number of training weeks. Additionally, IP tours on weekends are encouraged, provided there is no conflict with training, and if sufficient funds exist. The CGSOC and the Captains Career course have a tour to Washington, D.C.

Social Activities: These activities include welcome, farewell and other special events that take place during the student's attendance at WHINSEC. These social activities are essential in fostering mutual understanding and building confidence between students, their senior country representatives, and WHINSEC instructors and staff.

Sponsorship Program: The Hosts of Latin Americans (HOLA) Sponsorship Program ensures all students in the Command and General Staff Officers Course and most guest instructors are assigned a civilian sponsor family from the Columbus, Fort Benning or Phenix City community. HOLA sponsors are volunteer families who have a sincere interest in showing Latin American students the U.S. way of life and in being a friend to students or guest instructors during their stay.