FORT BENNING, Ga. (WRBL) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had a packed itinerary for his visit to Fort Benning.

Thursday morning, he spoke to new lieutenants from class 501-25 at their graduation from Officer Candidate School.

“It is great to be here at Fort Benning,” Hegseth said, pausing briefly. “And it is Fort Benning.”

The Georgia installation was officially redesignated in a ceremony in April, named for Fred Benning, a WWI soldier and Distinguished Service Cross recipient. Before that, it spent approximately two years bearing the name of Hal and Julia Moore. The Benning name was originally removed due to its namesake’s association with the Confederacy.

Hegseth’s visit to the Georgia installation comes at a time when, as he said, the Army is seeking to revive the warrior ethos

See Full Page