What airport should I fly into for graduation?
Fort Leonard Wood is located just outside St. Robert, Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks.
The closest airport to Fort Leonard Wood is Waynesville – St. Robert Regional Airport (TBN) which is located on the base. However, flights can be expensive as it is a smaller airport with fewer regular flights. We also recommend looking at:
Springfield – Branson Regional Airport (SGF) – 1 hour 15-minute drive from Fort Leonard Wood
Lambert – St. Louis International (STL) – 2-hour drive from Fort Leonard Wood
What should I wear to graduation?
Graduation at Fort Leonard Wood has no set dress code so you can wear what you want. Graduation locations vary from outside to inside so if your recruit’s graduation is outside, try to dress for the weather. Fort Leonard Wood has very warm summers with cool winters so try to check the weather in advance of packing.
Your new Soldier will be in their dress uniform and looking their best, so it can be nice to make some effort, but wear comfortable footwear as you move around the base and the local area. Whatever you feel comfortable in is the most important thing, your new soldier will be thrilled to see you regardless.
Do you buy graduation gifts?
Graduation gifts can be nice but are by no means necessary. Also, bear in mind that your Soldier will likely be going on to more training after graduation and won’t be allowed to bring an excessive amount with them, anything they need will be provided for them or has to be standard issue. Check out our blog on military graduation gifts for some ideas if you want to buy your Soldier something.
Are there rules about what my new Soldier can do on and off base?
Yes, there are rules about your Soldier’s conduct and etiquette for Family and Graduation Day at Fort Leonard Wood. Before they are given leave, they will receive instructions on these. Some of the main ones include staying in uniform unless swimming, they are not allowed tobacco or alcohol or any illicit substance, and there will be a certain distance limit they are allowed to go if they have an off-base pass.
Where Does My Soldier Go After Graduation?
Upon graduation from Basic Combat Training, your Soldier will report to Advanced Individual Training(AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood or one of the many AIT training centers across the country. The day after graduation is when most will leave or report to their next duty station.
If your recruit is graduating from One Station Unit Training, they are usually given until Sunday off as an off-base privilege as training restarts on Monday. It is important to check with your recruit as to where they are going for AIT or if they are staying in Fort Leonard Wood so you can arrange your travel plans accordingly.