What to Expect at Army Basic Training Graduation Day
This is one of the most defining moments in your soldier’s career. Even years down the road, when the freshness of his blues uniform has faded and the creases are gone, the effects of the day won’t have changed a bit. Becoming a US soldier is an enormous accomplishment, mentally and physically. This is the day where your soldier is acknowledged for his willingness to serve. It’s the day he or she is able to begin what they have set out to do. It’s Graduation Day at Army Basic Training! Here’s what you can expect:
The Guest List
ANYONE can attend. There is no limit to how many family members, loved ones, or friends you can invite. Remember that your soldier might not have had the opportunity to contact them all himself, so you can help him out by doing that for him. It is definitely a kid-friendly event. There are not tickets either, so feel free to bring an additional guest at the last minute. Note: only one invitation/announcement letter is mailed to the soldier’s “closest of kin” (an address he provides at the beginning of camp), so if you haven’t been the one to receive that information, head over to your soldier’s unit Facebook page to see a copy of the event details!
Attire
Before all else, consider weather. If it’s winter or summer, if it’s indoors or outdoors, etc. There is not one specific dress code, which is why I say give priority to weather. For instance, if it’s in the middle of summer in Fort Jackson, SC, you will want to wear the lightest possible sundress. But if the graduation is indoors in the middle of winter, no one expects you to wear a dress. A nice sweater and pants is totally sufficient. I have seen everything from completely casual to dressy-Sunday wear. Semi-formal or formal is unnecessary.
On-Post Access
While there is no limit to the number of guests who can attend, just remember that each driver will need to be able to get through the military access points (the gates). So if you take multiple cars, make sure each driver has a Visitor’s pass. You can attain a pass by driving up to the gate and asking about access requirements. The gate guard will direct you to the Visitor Center and they will assist you in obtaining a pass. I recommend doing this the night/day before you need to get on post, since the Visitor Center can get busy. You don’t want to be late for the graduation ceremony! Note: if you are a veteran or spouse then just use your military ID and skip the passes.
Exception: The Ft. Benning Army Basic Training Graduations (OSUT Graduations) almost always take place off-post. Technically, that means you won’t need any Visitor passes to attend the ceremony. But if you want to drive on post at all (which you almost always will, to drop your soldier off or to see where he trained) then you’ll still need Visitor Passes for that.
Location
It will be at whatever military installation his Basic Training Camp is located. If that’s Fort Leonard Wood, then his graduation will be at Fort Leonard Wood. The graduations are usually in the morning. It is the Army after all. ha! The graduation locations vary by installation, and can be either indoors or outdoors. Wherever it is, expect it to be a very large venue. Either a big auditorium, or, most likely a parade field.
Seating
There is no assigned seating for families, but there will be plenty of it. With the exception of a few designated spots for honored military guests, you are free to take whatever seats you would like! Families don’t have to sit according to their soldier’s platoons. 🙂 Also, feel free to bring any baby carriers, strollers, or wheel chairs as needed. There will be aides directing seating and door flow if you need help with anything.
Photos
You can photograph and record the entire event. Obviously don’t keep your cellphone volume on, but there are no rules against cellphones or cameras at the graduation. If you aren’t in a good seat or don’t feel like you got satisfactory pictures, there is almost always a professional photographer who records and photographs the entire event. You can purchase pictures and recordings from them after the ceremony (they will usually have a trailer and advertising at the ceremony site).
The Ceremony
The graduation ceremony will be much more “military” than any other graduation you may have attended. And the format will just depend on the venue. If the event is outdoors, expect there to be a lot of marching in formation and a big army band. If the event is indoors, the soldiers will most likely cross the stage one by one (instead of in formation) and there will be a video about their achievements. Any graduation will comprise of a chaplain’s invocation, commander’s speeches, recitation of the soldier’s creed, songs, awards for honor students, and of course, the national anthem. Make sure to pick up a program on your way to your seat, so you know the lyrics to the Army Song and just as a keepsake of this special day.
Gift-Giving and Congratulations
There isn’t a specific portion of the graduation for exchanging gifts or congratulating your soldier. Nor is there a receiving line or a formal process of dismissal. Basically, the ceremony will conclude and he will be dismissed from formation and you’ll stand up from your seat and the two of you will find each other on the ceremony site. At this time, you can take personal pictures or give him a graduation gift. (I compiled a list of my favorite military gifts).
What Happens to Your Soldier Afterwards
This one is SO entirely dependent on his personal career. I can’t fit all the information here, and will be making a separate post about this. But I had to at least include something about it here since everyone wonders after the ceremony concludes…what’s next? You’ll see some soldiers go home with their families that day. Others will have 15 minutes to hug and talk before they board a bus for Airborne school. Some have a 12-24 hour pass before they leave for their AIT training. It’s a little chaotic. The best news is, your soldier will know EXACTLY where he or she needs to be after the ceremony, if anywhere, so don’t worry. Follow your soldier’s lead and enjoy any part of the day that you get to spend together!
Concluding Thoughts on Army Basic Training Graduation Day
While your soldier will experience many other meaningful moments in his or her career, none are quite like graduation day from Basic Training. This is a really big day and marks an enormous change in your soldier’s life. So remember to celebrate their accomplishments! You may have “burning” questions about where they are heading next, and how hard bootcamp really was and if they feel like the same or different person. You may even notice changes in them yourself. But give them an extra ounce of understanding and expect the entire day to be a whirlwind for them.
Remember that the day is about them.
There will be plenty of time to catch up or get serious details like future assignments, next trainings, etc. But keep those questions to a minimum and just try to have fun! They will have a lot to tell you, and this is the perfect opportunity to stop and listen and get to know the US Army soldier they have become.
I’m so glad you took the time to stop by! Please leave me a comment below if you have any questions about your soldier’s Army Basic Training Graduation Day. I’m so happy for you during this exciting time. It’s truly moving to see a loved one transform into a soldier, and attending their graduation ceremony is one way to celebrate that change. I hope you get the opportunity to participate in this special occasion. Thank you for reading, and please come again!
Also in this series:
What to Expect on Family Day at Army Basic Training
What to Expect at an Army Basic Training Turning Blue Day
30 Comments
Christina Lee Fiedler
My son just left for Army Bootcamp in Oklahoma almost two days ago. I stumbled on to your blog when I was doing some research. Thank you so much for creating this. It has answered a few questions I have had. Still waiting on that first phone call. I appreciate everything you have shared on your blog and wish you the best!
Skylar
My fiancé just left for basic for infinity at Fort Benning. Will he be able to come home after AIT? He wants to get married as soon as possible so we can move together, is that a long process?
Julaine M.
Hello! Thank you so much for the information!! My boyfriend is at fort Jackson and will be graduating in exactly a month. I’m almost certain that I will be able to go see him graduate and I’m so excited! I’m one of those girls who thinks about what she is going to wear for an event a ways in advance so I’ve been wondering what to wear and this helped so much!! Question- how early in the morning are the graduations? Is it a good idea to get a hotel for the night before?
Thank You!!
Amber
Hi. Thank you so much for this blog. I’m so grateful I found it. My son left June 26 for Fort Benning. He called July 8th with the 30 second I’m fine call. I know his basic listed 22 weeks. So it that when we shout expect graduation to happen? I know I saw where you said the commander will send a letter. I’m just a momma who’s heart is trying. So proud but man what a huge change for out family this has already been. I’m also a planner. So I am try to get my head wrapped around it all.
Amber
Macey Charboneau
Hello,
In the section “What Happens to Your Soldier Afterwards” you mention that they leave for a bus 15 minutes later if they are Airborne. Is that really true, do I get any more time with my husband? Then is there a graduation from Airborne? Even if he is going to RASP right after?
Cas
Hi Emma!
I know that Jennifer already responded to you – but my husband is graduating December 18th, and he’ll get ten days to come home and visit with family before he goes to AIT. I’m not sure if this applies to ALL soldiers, because he did mention that some of his squad mates wouldn’t be going home for Christmas. Hopefully he’s let you know exactly what the plan is by now, and I hope y’all have a good time together after graduation
Rocio
Hi, my husband is gong to Jackson SC next week and he is gonna start bootcamp on nov 25, do the get free time for christmas ? do you know when is family day and graduation?
Jennifer
They do get Christmas leave, for sure! It should be about 2 weeks. 🙂
Toni G Williams
Hello,
My son is due to graduate from Fort Leonard Wood on November 26. We are from NC and are trying to figure out, if we go, how long and how much will we see him. How much time can you spend with your soldier?
Toni
Jennifer
Congratulations on your son’s graduation!
You should be given two days together. Usually about 10 hr days… “family day” the day prior, and then graduation day. Neither are “overnights” so he will have to be dropped off and picked up at the appropriate times both days (hence the 10 hrs). All the families I have spoken to have said it was really worth it! (I thought it was too). Travel isn’t always possible though, but when it is, it’s highly rewarding! The soldiers love to get out of the training environment for a few hours and eat real food with family. 🙂
Best of luck!!
Stephanie Dunbar
My son will graduate from Ft Sill in a few months. Any ideas if he will go straight to Ft Lee VA for AIT or get a few days off before going?
Emma
Hi, my boyfriend has been in reception for a month and is finally going to basic training on Oct. 4th. Which means his graduation date will be closer to Christmas. I’ve read all over that they will get the week before Christmas off and the week after. I wanted to know if this was true and if he’s graduating so close to Christmas, will he be able to come home right after graduation? Thank you for all of the posts! They are really helpful!
Jennifer
Thank you for commenting! Christmas break is definitely an inevitable thing. I’ve always heard of the soldiers being given it (including my friend’s husband who was at bootcamp in December). That being said, I think it depends how close his graduation date is to Christmas. His AIT date will also factor into how long he gets to stay home.
Sorry it took me so late to respond…feel free to post an update here if you’ve already gotten one!! It helps others going through it after you. Thank you so much for stopping by!!
Joy Meinders
My son goes to Fort Benning in two weeks. Did I understand correctly that there’s a family weekend and graduation—on separate weekends? We’re in Iowa but I don’t think I could take not going to both. ❤️❤️
Jennifer
Thanks for commenting!
Fort Benning is the only base that conducts OSUT (which is Basic Training plus the additional AIT training). For that reason, they try to give soldiers and their families a break by having a Family Day weekend a little more than midway through the training cycle. It’s two separate visit weekends. So if you can only go to one, obviously the graduation weekend is a bigger deal! But Family Day is fun too so both are great options.
By the way, congratulations to your family and thank you for your son’s service!!
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Larry
Your blogs on Basic Training have been great. Thanks for taking the time to get this all down.
Jennifer
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Brenda
Your info has been so helpful! Thank you!!! One question- On grad day do they call soldiers up one by one or keep it in more of a group formation?
Jennifer
Hi! I’m so sorry I didn’t see this comment earlier! Thank you for visiting.
Yes, the graduation is definitely a group thing. Everyone stands in formation and graduates together all at once.
Again, thanks for stopping by!
Brenda
No worries I really appreciate your taking the time to respond. Graduation is compete and he has been sent to fort Campbell… we’re super excited to see what lies ahead. Blessings to you and your family during the holiday season 🙂
Jennifer
Congratulations! I have heard nothing but great things about Campbell. 🙂 Blessings to you and yours too!
Rebecca Lynn McCord Whitlock
Your post has been tremendously helpful in helping me prepare for my son’s family day, turning blue and graduation! I am one of the lucky ones you spoke of and his family weekend is actually over veterans day weekend! WOOT! Seriously, THANK YOU for taking the time to write this!! Amazingly insightful!
Jennifer
That is SUCH high praise. Thanks for stopping by and reading. Congratulations on having family weekend during Veterans weekend! Wishing you and your soldier all the best!
Margaret Larson
MY HUSBAND IS A VET FROM US NAVY , DO THE VET’S GET A SPECIAL RECONDITION AND A CERTAIN AREA TO SIT IN? OUR GRANDSON WILL GRADUATE FROM BASIC TRAINING FROM FORT SILL, OK ON AUGUST 31ST. WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THIS GREAT DAY.
Jennifer
Hello! Thank you for stopping by.
While there is no particular recognition for veterans in attendance during the ceremony itself (it would be nice if there was!!), the soldiers are always given the opportunity ahead of time (during the graduation planning and prep) to inform their leadership of distinguished guests and family members. This allows the leadership to arrange appropriate seating and be aware of the guests in attendance. Congratulations on your grandson’s service!
cat
hello about how long was the graduation ceremony?
Jennifer
Thanks for visiting! I would say that the ceremony is no longer than an hour. It goes by fast!
Kent Robertson
Thanks for the great information. I googled the question, “should I attend my son’s graduation from basic training?” and found your blog. While you didn’t directly address that question, your information helped me understand what a big deal it is and made it obvious that, yes, we should definitely make the trip and be there for him. Not having had any direct experience with having a family member in the military, we’ll be checking in often to get your take on military life for families.
Gail
My son starts basic training in August 6 in fort Jackson. When would his graduation be. Would like to know early so I can make plans with my job etc. any info would be helpful. Justgail8812@yahoo.com
Jennifer
Hello! Congratulations on your son’s service! You must be so proud.
Fort Jackson Basic Training is 10 weeks long. If that is his exact start date, he will finish 10 weeks strictly after that. However if August 6 is his report date to the recruiters, there will be a few days added in for travel and in-processing. It wouldn’t be more than 10 days added (5-7 is average).
Fort Jackson does a 2-day graduation experience normally. There is a Family Day on the Wednesday of the graduation week, and then the actual graduation ceremony is the next day, on a Thursday.
When your son processes in, he will be able to provide a “closest in kin” address to his unit. They will use that address to send you important documents like the Commander’s Letter which will give you exact dates, times, and locations for the graduation and Family Day. Sometimes those letters are also posted on the unit Facebook pages. So once your son is assigned to his unit, he can let you know which one he is in and you can find information (as well as other family members) on those unit pages.
I hope this helps. I also have a post about what to expect at the graduation. Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions! Thanks for visiting.