Last Updated on August 15, 2023
When your soldier graduates from an Army school, it is an event that should be attended by everyone who is important to him.
Unless your soldier is in OSUT (One Station Unit Training), there will be a graduation from basic training and a graduation from AIT (Advanced Individualized Training).
Your soldier will have graduation ceremonies from Airborne, RASP (Ranger Assessment and Selection Program), Special Forces, OCS, and others if he attends these schools.
Receiving Information about Graduation
The soldier will inform the command who should receive information about the graduation ceremonies and family day (if there is one).
In most cases, the information is delivered to the spouse or parents, but the soldier can send it to anyone he would like. He will also have details about the ceremony ahead of time to inform you.
Most post websites have a section for school graduations as well.
Who Can Attend Army Graduation Ceremonies?
Anyone is welcome to attend the graduation ceremony, including children.
This is a big day in the life of your soldier and it should be celebrated.
There is generally no limit to the number of attendees that are allowed to attend a graduation ceremony.
Those who wish to attend must provide identification at the gate to enter the post. A visitor’s pass will likely be required if no one in the vehicle has a military ID.
Be advised that all cars are subject to search when entering the post and firearms are prohibited.
Gifts for Army Graduation Ceremonies
Some people wish to buy their soldier a gift for graduation.
When buying a gift, remember the future schools he has to attend and if he will be allowed to have that gift with him. Otherwise, you may need to bring it back home with you and give it to him when he moves to his permanent duty station.
Some great ideas include watches, pocket knives, challenge coins, iPad, AirPods, and gift certificates for Army gear from military-related stores such as Ranger Joe’s (which is outside the post at Ft Benning/Ft Moore). Note these links are affiliate links which provides a small commission to the site at no cost to you.
Army Hotels and Army Lodging
You should secure lodging as soon as you know dates as hotels will fill quickly in the area. There is lodging available on most posts and it is generally much less expensive than hotels off post.
Be advised that the area just outside Ft Benning/Moore (around Victory Drive) is not a very safe area. Staying on post is fine but if you must stay off post, do not stay in the area just outside of post. Many of the establishments in this area have been blackballed by the Army.
After Graduation
If your soldier has additional training to attend after graduation, he will have to leave very shortly after the ceremony for the next school.
If this school is at a different post, the Army will usually provide transport although on some occasions, the soldier is allowed to drive himself or have a family member drive him.
If the school is in the same location, he will typically inprocess at the next school and then be given free time again after he finishes inprocessing.
I have been trying to find a hotel in which i can stay in… my future husband is in Ft. Benning, Georgia and for some odd reason i cant seem to find any website that lets me find a hotel for me to stay closer to him… please help!
try La Quenta inn 1800-642-4258 this is 6 mil away from base their rooms are $ 45. a night. Hurry
Try Uchee River campgrounds. They rent out cabins and its alot cheaper than the hotels. Plus its on base.
Found your site by accident. My nephew will be graduating the end of November, 2012. He has had all information sent to his girlfriend who is not sharing ANYTHING. Found his grad date by the FT Benning site. Can you recommend a site that will tell us all we need to know?? We are clueless about any of it. Time, place any info will be helpful
I know this may seem like a silly question but, when you are referring to additional training, are you talking about AIT?
My soldier will be serving his AIT at Fort Benning, because his basic is at Fort Benning as well. I am just curious to know about this because his graduation is set for February. Also, will he have to immediately leave for AIT after family day, graduation, etc.? I heard that your soldier will be able to come home with you for a short period of time but I’m not holding this to be true at this time until I receive confirmation on this.
How long is the actual graduation ceremony typically? I’m excited to see him graduate but I want to have enough free time with him too and his graduation ceremony is at 1pm.
Could you advise whom should place the blur cord on their soldier? My son doesn’t want to pick between my husband and I so I suggested his sister do it? She’s 17 yrs old and they are very close. Would this be frowned upon? Customarily who does it? Thank you!
I think it’s perfectly fine for her to do it. It’s really who the soldier feels should have the honor! 🙂
my boyfriend is in the army reserves and will be going to college soon. he keeps saying he is going to propose to me soon, but i am only 17 and he is 18 so i don’t know if this is a good idea or not. what should i do to avoid ending our relationship, but let him know this may be a bad idea?
My boyfriend and I want to get married but he joined the army at 17 so we decided to wait till after things settled. Problems I’m seeing with paperwork and DEERS and other things might be delayed because we decided to wait. Now I’m wondering if we should get married after his OSUT graduation but he has additional training with RASP. I don’t know if it’s a good idea or if it’ll make the process go by any faster any advice?