Basic training Fort McClellan

Basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, played a significant role in preparing U.S. Army soldiers from its establishment in 1917 through its closure in 1999. The installation became particularly notable during World War II, when it rapidly expanded to train large numbers of recruits. Over the decades, Fort McClellan housed several specialized schools, including the Chemical Corps, Military Police Corps, and Women’s Army Corps training centers. Its rigorous basic training programs emphasized discipline, physical fitness, and the fundamentals of soldiering, shaping countless Army careers before the post’s deactivation.