Fort Jackson · Columbia, South Carolina
The moment they've earned.
The complete family guide to Basic Combat Training graduation and Family Day. What to expect, where to stay, and how to make the trip everything your Soldier deserves.
The complete family guide to Basic Combat Training graduation and Family Day. What to expect, where to stay, and how to make the trip everything your Soldier deserves.
Exact dates change by battalion. Always confirm with your Soldier and the official calendar.
Short ceremony, then an on-post pass to spend the day with your Soldier.
Formal ceremony on Hilton Field — spring/summer 9 AM, fall/winter 10 AM.
Every adult visitor needs a pass to get on post. Register early.
Enter your Soldier's graduation date for a live countdown, plus a simple checklist to work through before you travel.
Your date and checklist are saved on this device only — nothing is sent anywhere.
Meet your Soldier, tour the museum, and enjoy the day before the final ceremony.
Event Timeline →
REAL ID requirements, vehicle registration, and the new 2026 visitor pass protocols.
Requirements →
Family-friendly hotels near the base gates, plus grad-week booking timing.
Where to Stay →
Family Day and graduation aren't just events on a calendar. They're the finish line of the hardest thing your Soldier has done — and the moment you get them back, changed. This guide walks you through every practical detail so you can focus on what matters: being there.
Eight essential briefings — everything from the visitor pass to what your Soldier actually wants for a graduation gift.
Where to stay, military discounts, and why grad-week rooms sell out early.
What to expect on the day you finally see your Soldier — and how to make it count.
The new 2026 requirement and how every visitor 18+ gets on post smoothly.
Pick up at Columbia airport — you'll want a car on and around base.
The typical week, ceremony times, and how to confirm your Soldier's dates.
Fill the rest of your weekend around the ceremony — Southern staples.
What to bring for the ceremony and the South Carolina weather in every season.
What they actually want after ten weeks of Basic Combat Training.
Hour-by-hour: the ceremony, the reunion, and the on-post pass.
Typical times, when to arrive, and how to confirm your Soldier's exact date.
Getting from Columbia Airport (CAE) to Fort Jackson and your hotel.
Graduation dinner ideas and family-friendly spots in Columbia.
Established in 1917, Fort Jackson trains roughly half of all new Soldiers each year — and about 60% of women entering the Army. Ten weeks of training end here, on Hilton Field, on the day your family arrives.
The post sits just east of downtown Columbia, about 20–30 minutes from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Gate 2 is the main visitor entrance during graduation week.
Basic Combat Training graduation is typically held on a Thursday, following Family Day on Wednesday. A new class graduates roughly every few weeks year-round. Your exact date depends on your Soldier's battalion — confirm it with your Soldier and the official Fort Jackson graduation calendar.
The graduation ceremony is held on Hilton Field at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, weather permitting. Arrive at least 90 minutes early to clear security and find seats.
Yes. Beginning August 1, 2026, all visitors age 18 and older must have a visitor pass to access Fort Jackson, including for Family Day and graduation. See our visitor pass guide for step-by-step details.
As early as you can — grad-week rooms near Gate 2 book out months ahead. Once your Soldier confirms their graduation date, book that same day.
Smart casual to business casual is the norm. Think Sunday church clothes. Comfortable shoes are a must — you'll be walking on grass and standing during formations.
Yes. Ceremonies livestream on the official Fort Jackson Facebook page for family and friends who can't travel.