I have a future son-in-law currently in Basic Training at Fort Benning. I have a number of questions mostly related to his off-post passes. He's wanting my daughter (his fiancee) to fly down over a weekend in April because he told her he'd be getting an off post pass but I'm worried that it could be cancelled and then she's stuck there in a hotel room alone for the weekend. Also, he wants her to stay a few days after graduation in May because he thinks he can sign out over the weekend before his school starts the next Monday (which is also at Ft. Benning).

Is this really a possibility? They give them off post OVERNIGHT passes in the middle of their training but don't let them stay off the base during graduation when their families are there? This doesn't make sense to me but she's desperate to go and see him.

I have a bad feeling about this. Can anyone offer any words of wisdom??

Thanks
Ellen
Soon to be Army Mother in Law

The pass is a privilage and not a right. He is not allowed a pass for Graduation because he has not graduated YET. He will be Eligible for a pass following BCT graduation but that does not mean he will get one. It is entirely possible that the Commander has authorized a blanket pass for the entire company after graduation,especially since AIT begins @ the same military installation. I would recommend that you call and ask for the Company Commander to get clarification. The Commander understands that most family memebers are coming from out of town and he would not allow his troops to spend the money on thier family memebers if he is not going to honor a pass.

They ARE granted a 'Family Day' which is a weekend in which family members can visit and tour the base. They are allowed to leave but have to stay within a radius of base. Before they are allowed to leave, all families will be briefed in which the drill SGTs tell you about what they're doing and such. Now, if you've received information from your soldier regarding this, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE DATE AND THEY REALLY CAN'T TAKE IT BACK.
The day before and the day of graduation, they can leave as well. The day before graduation, they have to return to the base at a certain time. They will be told. Families will return the next day for the ceremony. Now, according to what AIT he has to complete, he will or should be told whether or not he is allowed to spend a little time with his family before the extended days for AIT.
My husband did basic in Ft. Benning. I attended the graduation but not family day due to pregnancy. But my parents went to family day. They said it was AWESOME to get to see them sooo grown already. I hope this helps. Oh. And if she's going alone, she might want to rent a car. Its easy to navigate the area but its soo close to Alabama as well. Be careful.
God Bless.

Ellen,

Is he taking just basic training at Ft. Benning or is he in the Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) program? If OSUT is the case then the training between BCT & Infantry School is seamless. He'll have time off the weekend between but the BIG graduation is at Infantry School graduation. There are two ceremonies. On the Thursday before graduation there's the Turning Blue ceremony where the new Infantrymen get the blue cords they wear around their right shoulder. Family members are encouraged to put that blue cord on. There's time off after that, at least until 11 PM. The next day, Friday, is the actual graduation ceremony. From there the soldiers will go on to their assignments. Those going to Airborne School at Benning will have to check in there, a bus will transport them across post & then they usually get the weekend off. Those going on leave prior to reporting to their new units will be able to depart for home & those going directly to their units will leave to get there, usually by plane from Atlanta. They usually will have a few days to report.

__________________
Proud Dad of a US Army Ranger SSG-Former 3/75 Rangers, 2/334-95 USAR at present
US Navy 1960-1966 Submarine Service, Navy Diver-UDT 21
US Army 1980-2001 Airborne Infantry,G3, Army Instructor, Commo Instructor Company 1SG
Retired 1SG/MSG
I was a Soldier. I am a Soldier. I will always be a Soldier.