Frequently Asked Questions: BCT Graduation and Family Day
Once your sons and daughters have finished their mandatory courses in basic training, they can move on towards graduation.
This is a pivotal time for parents, friends and family members to come visit their Soldier before they leave boot camp and ship towards their AIT (Advanced Individual Training)school unless they are split-ops where they return home to finish high school.
However, as a parent there are some questions that still remain on how you can show your support during this transition.
In this article, you will find out the most frequently asked questions from Soldiers and their Families about BCT (Basic Combat Training) graduation below: 1.
Is there any limit on how many people we can bring with us to graduation? Not at all...
bring as many as you wish to come see your Soldier graduate.
2.
Is there a specific dress code for graduation for civilians? We recommend "nice casual".
No need for suits and ties, but dress slacks, summer dresses, pant suits, etc, are usually what we see.
3.
Will my Soldier be given a pass while we are there? The Soldiers normally are given two passes...
one on family day, and one after the graduation ceremony is over.
The start times may vary, depending on the company's particular schedule for that day, but passes normally end at 9 pm, at which time the Soldier needs to be back in the barracks.
4.
Our Family will not be able to attend Graduation or Family Day.
Can my Soldier still go on pass? Soldiers are allowed to go on pass as long as he or she is graduating AND they are signed out by someone over 18.
This can be another Soldier's Family, a significant other, or a friend.
5.
Are there any restrictions on what the Soldier can do on pass? The Soldier must stay in the appropriate uniform, is forbidden from consuming alcohol or using tobacco products, and may not personally drive a car...
these are all Army regulations pertaining to new Soldiers.
If you are staying at a hotel that has a swimming pool, then the Soldier may change into appropriate swim wear in order to use it.
Other than that, no other civilian clothing is authorized.
6.
Is there any type of awards or recognition the Soldiers can receive for their performance during Basic Training? Every cycle the Commander, with input from the Drill Sergeants, selects one Soldier to receive the Commanding General's Award for Excellence.
The next best Soldier, based on performance, is designated as the recipient of the Association of the U.
S.
Army award.
Those who score expert on M16 qualification, or the high scorers on the PT test, receive recognition.
Additionally, the Commander can promote several Soldiers to either PV2 or PFC depending on the number of allocations the company receives.
So there are quite a few opportunities that your Soldier can strive for.
7.
If my Soldier does not graduate because he hasn't passed his PT test, can we still get to see him? All Soldiers, whether in grad status or not, will be allowed to visit with family members.
However, they may not get all the same privileges that graduating Soldiers do.
For example, their Commander may restrict them to an on-post pass only.
8.
When will my Soldier ship to his AIT location? Will he be able to take some leave before he goes? All Soldiers will be shipped to their AIT on the Friday after graduation.
Except for emergency situations, Soldiers are not authorized to leave until they complete their AIT.
9.
Can I drive my Soldier to AIT? The Army will arrange all Soldiers to travel to AIT on either charter buses or commercial flights; privately owned travel is normally not authorized.
This is a pivotal time for parents, friends and family members to come visit their Soldier before they leave boot camp and ship towards their AIT (Advanced Individual Training)school unless they are split-ops where they return home to finish high school.
However, as a parent there are some questions that still remain on how you can show your support during this transition.
In this article, you will find out the most frequently asked questions from Soldiers and their Families about BCT (Basic Combat Training) graduation below: 1.
Is there any limit on how many people we can bring with us to graduation? Not at all...
bring as many as you wish to come see your Soldier graduate.
2.
Is there a specific dress code for graduation for civilians? We recommend "nice casual".
No need for suits and ties, but dress slacks, summer dresses, pant suits, etc, are usually what we see.
3.
Will my Soldier be given a pass while we are there? The Soldiers normally are given two passes...
one on family day, and one after the graduation ceremony is over.
The start times may vary, depending on the company's particular schedule for that day, but passes normally end at 9 pm, at which time the Soldier needs to be back in the barracks.
4.
Our Family will not be able to attend Graduation or Family Day.
Can my Soldier still go on pass? Soldiers are allowed to go on pass as long as he or she is graduating AND they are signed out by someone over 18.
This can be another Soldier's Family, a significant other, or a friend.
5.
Are there any restrictions on what the Soldier can do on pass? The Soldier must stay in the appropriate uniform, is forbidden from consuming alcohol or using tobacco products, and may not personally drive a car...
these are all Army regulations pertaining to new Soldiers.
If you are staying at a hotel that has a swimming pool, then the Soldier may change into appropriate swim wear in order to use it.
Other than that, no other civilian clothing is authorized.
6.
Is there any type of awards or recognition the Soldiers can receive for their performance during Basic Training? Every cycle the Commander, with input from the Drill Sergeants, selects one Soldier to receive the Commanding General's Award for Excellence.
The next best Soldier, based on performance, is designated as the recipient of the Association of the U.
S.
Army award.
Those who score expert on M16 qualification, or the high scorers on the PT test, receive recognition.
Additionally, the Commander can promote several Soldiers to either PV2 or PFC depending on the number of allocations the company receives.
So there are quite a few opportunities that your Soldier can strive for.
7.
If my Soldier does not graduate because he hasn't passed his PT test, can we still get to see him? All Soldiers, whether in grad status or not, will be allowed to visit with family members.
However, they may not get all the same privileges that graduating Soldiers do.
For example, their Commander may restrict them to an on-post pass only.
8.
When will my Soldier ship to his AIT location? Will he be able to take some leave before he goes? All Soldiers will be shipped to their AIT on the Friday after graduation.
Except for emergency situations, Soldiers are not authorized to leave until they complete their AIT.
9.
Can I drive my Soldier to AIT? The Army will arrange all Soldiers to travel to AIT on either charter buses or commercial flights; privately owned travel is normally not authorized.
Source...