Name: Fort Jackson Graduation - 2026-11-19
Start: 2026-11-19T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-11-19T14:00:00-05:00
Location: Fort Jackson

2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment (193rd Infantry Brigade) trains Basic Combat Training Soldiers at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. Below are this battalion’s verified Family Day and graduation dates, ceremony timing, and how to plan your trip.

Next graduation for 2-13th IN

Thu, Nov 19, 2026, 9:00 AM on Hilton Field. Family Day is the day before, on Wed, Nov 18, 2026.

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At a glance

Day: Thursday morning, 9:00 AM
Location: Hilton Field (Directions)
Duration: ~2 hours
Civilian gate: Gate 2 (Forest Drive) · 24/7
Family Day: Wednesday, the day before graduation on Hilton Field.

2-13th IN graduation dates

Published Family Day and graduation dates for 2-13th IN. Pick a date to start a plan.

Upcoming graduation dates at jackson
Grad date	Family Day	Ship date	Countdown
June2026
42-13th IN	Jun 3	–	98 days ago
August
272-13th IN	Aug 26	–	14 days ago
November
192-13th IN	Nov 18	–	70 days

Nearest upcoming date highlighted.

What families ask

Common questions for Fort Jackson graduation week.

Which gate should I use for Fort Jackson graduation?: Use Gate 2, off Forest Drive at I-77 Exit 12. It is open 24 hours. For visits on or after August 1, 2026, Fort Jackson requires every visitor age 18 or older to hold an AIE visitor pass for Family Day and graduation. Apply at pass.aie.army.mil well before travel and bring the physical government-issued photo ID tied to the application. Gate 4 on Boyden Arbor Road is another ceremony route but operates limited hours. Follow the current garrison guide for gate changes and allow extra time on graduation morning.
Is there a dress code for Army graduation?: There is no formal dress code for family members attending Army BCT ceremonies, but business casual is the widely accepted standard. Avoid shorts, flip-flops, or anything you'd wear to the beach. Graduation parades are formal military events and dressing respectfully is expected. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended: you will walk a lot, parade fields are grass or gravel, and bleachers may require climbing. Summer graduations mean breathable layers; winter graduations can be cold and windy on an open field.
Can I send mail to my Soldier before graduation?: Yes, but use only the exact address supplied by your Soldier or unit. Fort Sill's 434th Field Artillery Brigade FAQ says families should wait for the Soldier to provide the mailing address because company and platoon details are required for delivery. Package restrictions and delivery timing are unit controlled, so do not copy an address format from another Soldier or an unofficial group.
Is Army graduation live-streamed for family who can't attend?: Often, yes. Many Army training brigades live-stream graduation (and sometimes Family Day) on the unit or installation Facebook page, and the video usually stays up afterward so relatives in other time zones can watch on replay. It is not guaranteed at every post or for every cycle, and the stream quality varies. Find your Soldier's specific brigade or battalion Facebook page (the unit shares it in the family letter) and follow it a couple of weeks out. That is where the stream link, start time, and any weather changes get posted.

Watching from home

Fort Jackson live-streams Thursday graduation ceremonies on its official Facebook page. The stream start time and any weather-driven changes post there a day or two out. Fort Jackson on Facebook (graduation live stream) (opens in new tab). Do not trust booking or payment links in the comments; the garrison never asks families for payment.

Graduation morning, step by step →

When to leave the hotel, clearing the gate, parking, bleacher seating, and finding your Soldier after the parade.

Plan the rest of the week

Free breakfast, free parking, military rates available. Full comparison

Home2 Suites

See current rates and availability when you book.

10 min to gate

Quality Inn

See current rates and availability when you book.

9 min to gate

TownePlace Suites

See current rates and availability when you book.

10 min to gate

Holiday Inn Express

See current rates and availability when you book.

9 min to gate

Rental car from the airport

Rideshares cannot enter the base. Military discount available.

We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

What families ask

Common questions for Fort Jackson graduation week.

Which gate should I use for Fort Jackson graduation?

Use Gate 2, off Forest Drive at I-77 Exit 12. It is open 24 hours. For visits on or after August 1, 2026, Fort Jackson requires every visitor age 18 or older to hold an AIE visitor pass for Family Day and graduation. Apply at pass.aie.army.mil well before travel and bring the physical government-issued photo ID tied to the application. Gate 4 on Boyden Arbor Road is another ceremony route but operates limited hours. Follow the current garrison guide for gate changes and allow extra time on graduation morning.

Is there a dress code for Army graduation?

There is no formal dress code for family members attending Army BCT ceremonies, but business casual is the widely accepted standard. Avoid shorts, flip-flops, or anything you'd wear to the beach. Graduation parades are formal military events and dressing respectfully is expected. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended: you will walk a lot, parade fields are grass or gravel, and bleachers may require climbing. Summer graduations mean breathable layers; winter graduations can be cold and windy on an open field.

Can I send mail to my Soldier before graduation?

Yes, but use only the exact address supplied by your Soldier or unit. Fort Sill's 434th Field Artillery Brigade FAQ says families should wait for the Soldier to provide the mailing address because company and platoon details are required for delivery. Package restrictions and delivery timing are unit controlled, so do not copy an address format from another Soldier or an unofficial group.

Is Army graduation live-streamed for family who can't attend?

Often, yes. Many Army training brigades live-stream graduation (and sometimes Family Day) on the unit or installation Facebook page, and the video usually stays up afterward so relatives in other time zones can watch on replay. It is not guaranteed at every post or for every cycle, and the stream quality varies. Find your Soldier's specific brigade or battalion Facebook page (the unit shares it in the family letter) and follow it a couple of weeks out. That is where the stream link, start time, and any weather changes get posted.

Watching from home

Fort Jackson live-streams Thursday graduation ceremonies on its official Facebook page. The stream start time and any weather-driven changes post there a day or two out. Fort Jackson on Facebook (graduation live stream). Do not trust booking or payment links in the comments; the garrison never asks families for payment.