Posted on May 28, 2018
Will I be able to go home for Christmas during my basic training?
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So i'm looking to leave for Basic training and AIT in August as a 68W (I haven't signed anything yet so that could change). My recruiter says i will more than likely be sent home for Christmas. However a friend says you can't be sent home unless you've finish basic training. Another says it varies depending on where you do your training. Can anyone else offer insight or personal experience?
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Holidays
Holidays
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 10
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I'm an 11B so it could be different for different AIT's, but the new soldiers I've been getting that were in AIT during Christmas, were all forced to take Christmas block leave. They all arrived to the unit being negative on there leave balance. Not certain if this will be the same for you.
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SGT Dave Tracy
I think your probably, or at worst mostly, correct. At least insofar as I have heard from others, who had to take block leave, go home over Christmas and return to finish training, and go into the hole for those leave days. I certainly hadn't heard of anyone who continued through their OSUT/Basic/AIT over Christmas in modern times, but who knows?
In my case, my OSUT ended mid-December, and I reported to my unit on January 1, having gone in the hole a bit for that.
In my case, my OSUT ended mid-December, and I reported to my unit on January 1, having gone in the hole a bit for that.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Cadre doesn't want to babysit a bunch of recruits over Christmas either. My last Christmas at Ft Benning was 1985 and the place is a ghost town over the holidays. During IOBC, I didn't take leave since my wife and kids were with me and my parents came down to visit. I think I did OD, and then got a couple of passes, weekend and holidays weren't considered duty days, so I had to check in with the OD but did nothing else beside my turn at OD during the entire block. All the OSUT units took a Christmas Break too.
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Caitlyn Snyder I served four years. My first Christmas, I had the day off, and then resumed my Field Radio Operator Training class. My second year Christmas was spent in Vietnam, and my third and fourth, I spent as Sergeant of the Guard or some other duty. Here is information I found, but do further research.
http://armybasic.homestead.com/exodus.html
http://armybasic.homestead.com/exodus.html
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It varies. Regardless, might as well get used to not being home for holidays as it happens often.
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I know Ft. Jackson, shuts down for xmass, as Cadre we could take block leave and go home or stay and come in for a few hours then the sent us home, but the SITS were all sent home.
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I think all the basic training and AIT sites have Exodus - which is block leave over Christmas. 2 weeks. I was in AIT over Christmas. I went to basic July. Got to AIT in September 2004. I had just enough days by Christmas in AIT.
I've not heard anything different about them not allowing soldiers to go home during it in basic and AIT. it's basically forced.
I've not heard anything different about them not allowing soldiers to go home during it in basic and AIT. it's basically forced.
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Caitlyn Snyder, I've never seen basic recruits being allowed leave during training. I won't say it doesn't happen given this new "kinder, gentler" military. I think block leave is typically granted during AIT though (school dependent).
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SFC (Join to see)
We go to go in 2004 in AIT and basic training has gotten to as well since then or before.
I did find this: The Army is the only branch of the military that honors the Christmas Exodus break for all recruits who are in basic training and AIT. Basically, the Army shuts down all of its training schools during exodus to allow their drill sergeants and instructors to have a break at Christmas. http://www.militaryspot.com/resources/christmas-exodus-for-army-soldiers
This: https://www.army.mil/article/198359/mass_exodus_of_soldiers_in_training_go_home_for_holidays
Normally, about 3 to 5 percent of these Soldiers choose to remain at their installation and not travel home, he added. For those who stay behind, units coordinate several Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities for them, including attending professional sporting events.
I don't know how long it's been going on but it was in 2004. Probably before that.
I did find this: The Army is the only branch of the military that honors the Christmas Exodus break for all recruits who are in basic training and AIT. Basically, the Army shuts down all of its training schools during exodus to allow their drill sergeants and instructors to have a break at Christmas. http://www.militaryspot.com/resources/christmas-exodus-for-army-soldiers
This: https://www.army.mil/article/198359/mass_exodus_of_soldiers_in_training_go_home_for_holidays
Normally, about 3 to 5 percent of these Soldiers choose to remain at their installation and not travel home, he added. For those who stay behind, units coordinate several Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities for them, including attending professional sporting events.
I don't know how long it's been going on but it was in 2004. Probably before that.
Christmas Exodus for Army Soldiers - MilitarySpot.com
Christmas Exodus is a Christmas break for Army soldiers who are in training.
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Sorry, I spent 4 yrs. active, of which 3 Christmases ALONE and AWAY... remember, you are not in basic training or boot camp for the House, or the Senate.. I do wish you the best..
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Full Metal Jacket! Happy Birthday Jesus.
This truly is the best way to celebrate Christmas. Give the Lord Jesus Christ what he deserves.
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Unless it changed, then yes, you're given the option to take leave during basic or AIT, no matter what week you're in. You're not forced to take leave, but if you do, then you'll be in the hole on leave days.
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SFC (Join to see)
It happens in Basic Training. Buddy of mine had Christmas leave from Basic back in 05. I was already done by 17 December and had leave before AIT in January 06.
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