Both events will be held on Fort Leonard Wood, the show will be AMAZING. Please verify with your Soldier the location since there are several units that graduate weekly at Fort Leonard Wood.
To gain access to Fort Leonard Wood, you must follow these instructions. If you and all of your passengers over 18 have a REAL ID, you can go straight to the gate. Or if you and all of your passengers over 18 have a state issued ID and a second form of identification, a birth certificate, social security card, or valid passport, you may go straight to the gate. Visitors aged 18 and older must meet these ID requirements to gain access.
You will need to go to the visitor’s center if you are staying on Fort Leonard Wood or you will need an extended stay pass. If you are not a legal resident, you will likely be denied access. Or if you have a warrant you will not be allowed to enter the base. Additionally, children under 18 do not require a Visitor Access Pass (VAP) but it is advisable to bring a birth certificate as supplemental proof of identity.
If you have questions about being able to gain access, please visit this site: If the graduation date changes, confirm with the visitor center whether a new or updated access form is needed.
Family day is normally the day before graduation. You can expect the ceremony to start that morning. On this day you can expect to spend the entire day until 7 pm with your Soldier, go off base, go to the hotel, go eat, go HAVE FUN, they’ve earned it and they have so much to tell you. When pre-registering for base access, use the Family Day date as the first day on base and include the battalion and company graduation details in the form.
Next will be Graduation day. You can expect the ceremony to start early that morning. Your Soldier will be geared up in their BRAND NEW ISSUED DRESS UNIFORMS. The same rules as family day, go spend time with your loved ones.
Then comes shipping day! They will manifest your Soldiers by MOS and send them off to their respective AIT locations.