Can I pay for myself to go home for Thanksgiving while at AIT?

2019-10-24T15:34:05-04:00

Can I buy a plane ticket and go home for thanksgiving Wednesday night and be back Sunday?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 3:45 PM

2019-10-24T15:45:04-04:00

I also have leave built up if needed to use for that Friday.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 3:51 PM

2019-10-24T15:51:10-04:00

First, you need to find out if the Cadre will allow Soldiers to travel home for Thanksgiving.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 24 at 2019 3:58 PM

2019-10-24T15:58:42-04:00

You need to check with your chain of command. You are in training. Rules for training are different than for permanent party. Cadre may not allow soldiers to travel like that.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 4:06 PM

2019-10-24T16:06:00-04:00

You can buy yourself a card to mail to your family :)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 4:37 PM

2019-10-24T16:37:00-04:00

I don't know if things have changed but historically Thanksgiving is a training holiday and Friday has some sort of USO show.
Back to work on Saturday.
No dice on going home.
If it is allowed, you will be advised of your options and opportunities. If you don't hear anything, DON'T ASK. It will only draw attention you don't want.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 5:31 PM

2019-10-24T17:31:50-04:00

Thanks for asking, I sure hope you can be with your family on Thanksgiving, PFC Willis.
I wished I could have done that when I was in the Army, but Guam was just to far from North Carolina, about 8,005 miles away.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 5:42 PM

2019-10-24T17:42:22-04:00

The answers from your chain of command are what matters. Why are you not asking them this question?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 5:56 PM

2019-10-24T17:56:15-04:00

TL/DR: Probably not.

At my AIT (25P - 21 weeks long) we were not allowed to go home for Thanksgiving. I think the main reason is they try to force you to take holiday block leave In December, but being new in the military, you don’t have the leave to be taking both.

I mention my length of AIT because normally the longer the training, the more freedoms you’ll have.

At my AIT, if you had family nearby. Meaning you could leave post get home and then be back before final formation, you could leave. That was dependent on what phase you were in and what privileges you had.

It’s also dependent on your company. My company did not allow anyone to submit overnight passes, even on four days. But another company in our BDE did passes all the time.

Ultimately, it depends on company policy, how good/bad your company has been, how close your family is, length of AIT, and what privileges you’ve earned. But I would guess probably not.

It sucks, but remember that if you’re still in training for Christmas you can take HBL, and that is only ~ 3 more weeks. Training doesn’t last forever, so keep moving forward and you’ll be able to go head home soon!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 7:15 PM

2019-10-24T19:15:07-04:00

You will need to ask your cadre. Also depending on how much leave you you might have to have commander approval to go in the hole for leave if you don’t enough built up. This again is up to your cadre. Why not just stay on post though? It’s just a couple days and usually from what I’ve heard holidays on post are pretty easy duty and you aren’t burning leave you could save for other time to visit family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 8:23 PM

2019-10-24T20:23:09-04:00

It is whatever the established pass and leave policies are at your training location. They vary from one school to another

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2019 9:20 PM

2019-10-24T21:20:12-04:00

Great big no, you are not going to be permitted to fly anywhere during AIT, unless it is part of Christmas Exodus, if that is still done.
At some point, based on your phase of training, you may be permitted an off post pass.
Do yourself a favor and don't even ask.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 25 at 2019 2:24 AM

2019-10-25T02:24:23-04:00

WTF- have you bothered to check with your DI/chain of Command yet. Most posts/schools have set distances they will let you go in a day. There is nothing wrong with Thanksgiving Day in the DFAC, especially if they arenot in a sandbox

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 3:36 AM

2019-10-25T03:36:00-04:00

Cadre will advise you at the proper time, but I understand you are trying to project what might be possible. My BOLC at Jackson allowed a short pass for Thanksgiving but distance and other logistical concerns were scrutinized before pass was granted. Normal radius was 250 miles by car. Can't recall if anyone had a flight approved.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 25 at 2019 7:16 AM

2019-10-25T07:16:24-04:00

I see so many things going wrong if you decide to go home!!!!!

1. Have you asked your Cadre?
2. Have you asked your Cadre?
3. Have you asked your Cadre?

Follow the above check list and you’ll be set for success!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 8:45 AM

2019-10-25T08:45:39-04:00

Get with your DS since really none of us no how your CoC is and the policies they have in place. With the AIT students I work with none of them usually get time off like that for the holidays far as I know.

Response by SrA Jonathan Carbonaro made Oct 25 at 2019 10:39 AM

2019-10-25T10:39:54-04:00

I finished my Enlistment at a training base, and granted it was a different branch. What will probably happen is they will do something for Thanksgiving whether its allow you to go off base and spend it with a local family. Or the chow hall will do something special that day. I wouldn't bother asking it will draw unwanted attention. Save your leave and money for Christmas, this won't be the last holiday you miss during your enlistment.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 10:44 AM

2019-10-25T10:44:23-04:00

When I was at OBC, we were allowed to go home over Thanksgiving and Christmas break if we were willing to pay for it ourselves. Of course we were all officers so that may have made a difference.

Response by SGT David Petree made Oct 25 at 2019 11:54 AM

2019-10-25T11:54:48-04:00

ET Phone home .this coming from one that missed 9 thanksgivings . & Christmas in a roll . holidays is a BAD time to travel unless you are on a 30 day leave , when you can be ok with being stuck in an airport. un less you live in the next county from your post stay were you are at .

Response by SSG Dale London made Oct 27 at 2019 9:15 PM

2019-10-27T21:15:50-04:00

Start by asking your PSG, bearing in mind that if he says "no" then it's "no."
Otherwise, fill out a DA Form 31 (Request and Auithorisation for Leave) and if your CO signs it, you're good to go.

Response by SSgt Donald Ostrem made Nov 3 at 2019 12:38 PM

2019-11-03T12:38:19-05:00

I think that could happen. But maybe you can try to get a military hop to save money by going to an Air Force Base. Ask your supervisor or Commander about that though.

Response by SFC Barbara Layman made Nov 8 at 2019 11:41 AM

2019-11-08T11:41:18-05:00

First you have to have enough leave time accrued OR take advanced if your command will allow you to leave. Second, if you take advanced leave, you won't be able to take another until you have earned/accrued enough to 'pay back' what you've used.
Historically, in BCT and AIT you won't be released for anything because you cannot afford to miss any training. Thursday is a training holiday and you'll be back to work on Friday and Saturday.

Bottom line, Don't raise the issue. If they are going to release anyone they'll make an announcement and give your options.

Response by SSG Jason Penn made Nov 10 at 2019 2:22 PM

2019-11-10T14:22:49-05:00

Thanksgiving is a 4 day weekend (training holiday). This means that there are no training events, and very few details (CQ runner, Staff Duty runner, etc.). This means that unless you are on a detail, or are under extra duty (got in trouble), or are under corrective training, then the weekend is your personal time. The Army's policy is that it is left up to the unit (BN and/or BDE) to decide if you are allowed off post, and if so, how far you can travel (usually 250 mile radius without taking a pass). Your best bet is to ask your chain of command for guidance. At best, they will let you go, at worst they will tell you no. Regardless, if they do let you go, it will be at your own expense.

Response by SFC John Fourquet made Nov 15 at 2019 11:34 AM

2019-11-15T11:34:39-05:00

Get approval for a pass or leave first.

Response by SFC John Fourquet made Nov 15 at 2019 11:36 AM

2019-11-15T11:36:43-05:00

Get approval for a pass or leave first. DO NOT GO HOME WITHOUT AN APPROVED PASS OR LEAVE!

Response by SGT Joy Henry Collette made Nov 15 at 2019 3:53 PM

2019-11-15T15:53:00-05:00

You would need permission from your cadre, like probably need a 4 day pass. And, provided you don't have duty during that time. Usually unless the whole class at AIT is being given a 4 day pass, or leave, I do not see why they'd let just you go. I was in AIT during Christmas time and the entire AIT class was enthusiastically encouraged to take leave to go home for Christmas. The Cadre didn't want to have to worry about babysitting anyone. Those that chose to not go, were giving busy work and shit duties to do the whole 2 weeks.

Response by SSgt Carrie Foster Campbell made Nov 18 at 2019 12:00 AM

2019-11-18T00:00:47-05:00

I pretty much agree with what SFC Livingston & MSgt Harris said. Find and ask for every single little detail has especially in AIT or Tech School they may be a limit as to how far you can travel. Also (I worked in the Airline Industry for 24 yrs.) In my experience with the airline and military I would advise leaving sometime on Sat giving you time on Sunday to relax and preparing for duty on Monday. If you are allowed/ authorized 4 days off. Also one last thing if you ARE NOT AUTHORIZED 4 DAYS OFF DON'T PRESS THE ISSUE. I come from a military family and have spend numerous holidays away from home. My first duty station was in Panama, While my dad who was in Army was stationed in Germany. I spend my first Christmas away from my family while in basic training. Suck it up buttercup. It the sacrifices we make for serving our country

Response by SSG Tom Montgomery made Nov 19 at 2019 2:33 AM

2019-11-19T02:33:48-05:00

These types of questions are best answered by your chain of command. If you have time off from duty and want to go home and your command approves your absence. You will be responsible for your travel expenses.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Nov 25 at 2019 1:01 PM

2019-11-25T13:01:02-05:00

No one here can answer that for you since it's unit policy, not Army or DoD policy.

Response by SPC Julio L R. made Dec 26 at 2019 9:07 AM

2019-12-26T09:07:46-05:00

Sounds like an acute case of homesickness. Grow up.