Fort Benning, Georgia
Army infantrymen in training at Fort Benning, GA.
Jerome Epstein, Jr.'s first active assignment was at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he reported in January 1944 at the age of 18. At the time, Epstein was a part of the Army Specialized Training Program, which was designed to provide junior officers and technically trained troops to the Army. As part of the program, soldiers would go through initial military training at Fort Benning before reporting to a participating civilian university for specialized training. In February of 1944, while Epstein was still in his initial training at Fort Benning the program was canceled and Epstein was reassigned to combat unit.