FORT BENNING, Ga., (Dec. 16 2015) -- Holiday block leave starts Dec. 19 and as the installation prepares to celebrate the holidays, some access control points and dining facilities will be closed.

For example, most of the training population on Sand Hill will be home for holidays, so the Sand Hill ACP will be closed and the only dining facility open on Sand Hill is 2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment.

Garrison Commander Col. Andy Hilmes said he is satisfied with the modified installation access procedures during holiday block leave because it allows Soldiers to enjoy their holiday time off.

"With a large portion of the Fort Benning workforce enjoying time off during the holidays, closing certain ACPs just makes sense," Hilmes said.

"We have many Soldiers whose presence is required to adequately man the ACPs every day. Closing the ACPs that will see a significant reduction in traffic during the holiday season allows more Soldiers to take leave and spend time with friends and Family over the holidays.

"Additionally, it will provide more of our hardworking Department of the Army Security Guards the opportunity to take leave as well," he added. "All of this while minimizing the disruption and inconvenience to those who will remain at Fort Benning during the holiday season."

Below are the schedules for the ACPs and dining facilities.

FORT BENNING ACP HOURS

I-185 (ACP 3) will remain open at all times.

Eddy Bridge (ACP 8) will remain open at all times.

Benning Blvd. (ACP 2) will remain open with normal hours: 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends - except for Christmas Eve. It will close at noon and reopen at 6 a.m. Dec. 26.

Harmony Church (ACP 7) one inbound lane will be open - except Dec. 24. The ACP will close at 6 p.m. and reopen one lane at 6 a.m. Dec. 26. All lanes will reopen at 5 a.m. Jan. 3 for normal operating hours.

ACP 5A (Sand Hill) will close completely. It will reopen on Jan. 3 at 4 a.m. for normal operating hours.

DINING FACILITIES

All dining facilities except for the ones listed below will be closed.

Airborne DFAC is open daily from 7 to 9 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 7 p.m. for dinner.

2nd Battalion, 54th Infantry Regiment DFAC on Sand Hill is open daily from 7 to 8:30 a.m. for breakfast; noon to 1:30 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 to 6 p.m. for dinner.

Camp Rudder DFAC in Florida is open half days from Dec. 13 through Jan. 3. Breakfast hours are 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The dining facility will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

3rd Brigade Combat Team DFAC on Kelley Hill is open half days from Dec. 16 to Jan. 5. Breakfast hours are 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The dining facility will be closed on the Christmas four-day weekend and the New Years four-day.

75th DFAC will be closed on the four-day weekends (Christmas and New Years). Otherwise the hours are 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch; and 4:30 to 6 p.m. for dinner.

"Whether you're able to go home or not, remember that this season is all about making special memories with those you spend it with," Hilmes said. "In the Army you never know where you may find yourself a year from now! We are always mindful and appreciative of those serving away from home right now, and especially supportive of their Family members who await their return."