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— Graduation guides · Army

Fort Jackson graduation.

What families should know before graduation at U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina. Checked against official sources in September 2026.

Family Day at Fort Jackson
Fort Jackson graduation

— The basics

BranchArmy
WhereColumbia, South Carolina
Training hereArmy Basic Combat Training
How long10 weeks of Basic Combat Training
LivestreamYes. Ceremonies stream on the Fort Jackson Facebook page, starting about 15 minutes before they begin.

Official information: Family Day and Graduation visitors guide, Basic Combat Training unit updates. Schedules and rules change, so check there before you travel.

— Upcoming classes

Find your recruit's graduation.

Each class has its own page with a countdown to share with your group.

October 1, 20261st Battalion, 34th Infantry RegimentOctober 8, 20263rd Battalion, 34th Infantry RegimentOctober 22, 20262nd Battalion, 60th Infantry RegimentOctober 29, 20263rd Battalion, 39th Infantry RegimentNovember 5, 20261st Battalion, 13th Infantry RegimentNovember 25, 20264th Battalion, 39th Infantry RegimentDecember 3, 20263rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment

— Getting on base

Before you drive through the gate.

— On the day

What helps on graduation day.

— Questions families ask

The questions parents post the week before Fort Jackson.

Where do families stay for Fort Jackson graduation, and is there lodging on post?

Fort Jackson is in Columbia, South Carolina, and the official guide points families to Columbia for hotels, restaurants and shopping. On-post lodging exists through IHG Army Hotels, plus Weston Lake Campground cabins and RV hookups, but active-duty soldiers get priority and the on-post hotel can cancel your reservation at any time to house a soldier on orders, so have a backup. MWR's Victory Travel office at 803-751-1400 can help arrange travel and lodging. Source

Do I need a visitor pass to get on Fort Jackson for basic training graduation?

Yes. Every visitor 18 or older without a DoD ID must pre-register at pass.aie.army.mil, and the official guide says to select Visitor Pass, not Special Event Pass. Pick the correct Family Day and graduation dates. Graduation passes are good for 5 days from the start date and are tied to the photo ID you registered with, which you show at the gate (Gate 2 or Gate 4 recommended). Children 17 and under need no pass or ID. Questions go to (803) 751-5483. Source

Which gate do we use for Fort Jackson graduation, and where do we park?

Fort Jackson recommends Gate 2 or Gate 4. Once inside, follow the blue lines painted on the road from the gates to Hilton Field instead of your GPS. Gates to Hilton Field open around 6 or 7 a.m. depending on the size of the graduating unit, and you will stand in line for the stands, so arrive early. Drivers need current registration and proof of insurance along with the pass and photo ID. Source

What ID do I need for Fort Jackson graduation if I do not have a REAL ID?

For Family Day and Graduation a REAL ID is not required, but on any other day you must have one to enter. Bring a physical, current government photo ID. Digital IDs are not accepted, and suspended or expired IDs do not count, so an expired passport will not work. Non-U.S. citizens cannot pre-register online and are vetted in person when they arrive for Family Day, and foreign nationals must present a valid passport. Drivers also need current registration and proof of insurance. Source

What time is Fort Jackson basic training graduation and how long does it last?

Family Day and Graduation are held outdoors on Hilton Field and start at 9 a.m. unless weather interferes. Family Day runs about 20 to 30 minutes and graduation about 50 minutes. Gates to Hilton Field open around 6 or 7 a.m. depending on unit size, battalion pages tell guests to be seated by 8:50 a.m., and the guide says to arrive early because you will stand in line for the stands. Weather changes are posted on the Fort Jackson Facebook page and your soldier's battalion page. Source

What can my soldier bring back on post after Family Day at Fort Jackson?

Official pages cover the soldier's conduct on pass: stay in uniform all day, no driving, no alcohol, tobacco or vapes, on-post pass only on Family Day, and on graduation day stay within 25 miles of Fort Jackson and return at the time the unit sets. Rules on gifts, cash, food or phones taken back to the barracks are not on the official site; Fort Jackson sends families to the soldier's unit social media pages for those. For mail, the do-not-send list includes electronics, food, tobacco, cosmetics, civilian clothing and over-the-counter medicine. Source

How do I find my soldier's unit and mailing address at Fort Jackson if I have not heard from them?

Fort Jackson says a soldier gets a company assignment and can give you an address after 4 to 10 days in Reception Battalion, usually by a short call, letter or postcard, and phone use after that is roughly once a week at the unit's discretion. To locate a trainee, Fort Jackson lists (803) 751-5951, and the family support line is (803) 751-5483 or fortjacksonbctinfo@army.mil. For a true family emergency, call the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337 with the soldier's full legal name, branch and date of birth, and they contact the battalion. Source

Is there a livestream of Fort Jackson basic training graduation?

Yes. Ceremonies stream free on the Fort Jackson YouTube and Facebook pages starting about 15 minutes before the ceremony, and each battalion posts its link on its home.army.mil page. Fort Jackson warns that fake links appear in comments, so only use official Fort Jackson channels. Source

How can a veteran find their old Fort Jackson basic training company or records?

Request your Official Military Personnel File from the National Personnel Records Center at vetrecs.archives.gov or by mailing Standard Form 180 to 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. Basic records are free to the veteran or next of kin. Have your full name as used in service, service number or SSN, dates of service and date and place of birth ready. Fort Jackson itself does not publish a yearbook or graduate lookup. Source

— The photos

Ten photos you will want forever.

  1. The moment they are released to you
  2. The first hug, and keep shooting
  3. A close up in uniform
  4. With a drill instructor or training leader, if they will stand for it
  5. The whole family in one frame
  6. With the grandparents
  7. With their battle buddy or shipmate
  8. Holding the certificate
  9. A selfie, both of you
  10. The walk back to the car

More on photos and video at Fort Jackson

Then turn them into cards.

Every photo from Fort Jackson becomes a numbered keepsake card, front and back, with the unit, the base and the date. You get a video and one page the whole family can open, and every card has a code on the back that opens it. Graduated a while ago? It is not too late.

See your first 3 cards freeFind their class page

— Sources

Checked in September 2026 against these official pages. CardMyService is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any branch.