The museum at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., includes some tanks adjacent to the parking lot. In March, work was being finished to include an area for visitors to walk around the tanks. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

Museum visitors begin the tour by learning what a new recruit faces in his first days. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

An example of the bunk area for those going through basic training years ago. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

Fort Jackson has a storied history in Columbia. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

Visitors follow the path of those who go through basic training. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

Visitors can pick up an unloaded M16. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

Honor, integrity and courage are among the lessons in the early weeks of basic training. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

The early days of basic training include basic medical treatment. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

Bayonet training has been replaced by pugil sticks. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

All recruits go through gas mask training, and few forget the experience. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

The museum helps foster conversations among different generations about how basic training has changed. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

The second phase, the white phase, of basic focuses on the weapons. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

A disarmed hand grenade allows visitors to get an idea of what one feels like. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

The weapons soldiers use have evolved through the years. Photos by Brett Flashnick.

About 60,000 people visit the Fort Jackson museum annually. Photos by Brett Flashnick.