Details below, when and how much time should I expect to spend with my family around BCT and AIT graduations?

2019-07-21T22:47:21-04:00

I report to leonardwood August 13th and graduate October 24th. I than do ait at Jackson for Human Resources. Should my family plan to attend a graduation after basic or ait? Also with graduation being on a Thursday can I wait until Sunday to report to jackson to spend more time with family?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 10:53 PM

2019-07-21T22:53:17-04:00

Your orders for AIT which you receive at the end of BCT will dictate when you report to Fort Jackson. Also, I've seen families attend both BCT and AIT graduations. Although, BCT is the bigger accomplishment. Also, think about the fact that once AIT is complete, you could be stationed far away from your family so that's something else they can keep in mind when deciding whether to attend both graduations or one or the other. Good luck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 10:54 PM

2019-07-21T22:54:30-04:00

Attending graduation is solely up to you and them. When I graduated from BCT they shipped us out a couple days later to AIT. You’ll have family day and graduation day to spend time with your family. I don’t know how Fort Jackson does their graduations for AIT, but at FLW the same day we graduated from AIT is the same day we shipped out to our units unless you intend to take leave (overseas assignments only).

Response by SGT Bonnie B. made Jul 22 at 2019 12:53 AM

2019-07-22T00:53:20-04:00

My family came to BCT not my AIT; I went to Basic, AIT and my 1st duty station was at Fort Jackson at 4th Training Bde Hqs S1. Lol

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2019 8:51 AM

2019-07-22T08:51:45-04:00

My AIT did not really have a graduation, but that was 1992 and it was winter by then.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 8:01 AM

2019-07-23T08:01:04-04:00

Your family can come to your graduation at both basic and AIT. I would go to AIT by Friday so you could get your barracks room in AIT and from what I have seen here at Gordon they may let you take a family pass for the weekend. Depending on the basic and AIT they may bus you to AIT.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2019 10:12 AM

2019-07-23T10:12:23-04:00

I graduated BCT in Ft Leonard Wood 1 week ago. We graduated on a thursday, and we shipped the following day (friday). You'll get to your AIT location and wait there until your class starts (you will be doing inprocesing all over again during those "free" days)