3-39th IN graduation

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 (I-77 Exit 12). It's open 24 hours, with the visitor center just inside on Strom Thurmond Boulevard. Today, no advance pass is needed at the gate itself for Family Day or graduation: bring a photo ID, your vehicle registration, and proof of insurance, and you'll be vetted on-site. That changes August 1, 2026: the garrison's official visitor guide states every visitor 18 or older must have an AIE visitor's pass (apply at pass.aie.army.mil, tied to your physical government-issued photo ID) to access the installation, explicitly including Family Day and Graduation. Whether an in-person walk-up option remains at the Visitor Control Center after that date, for families who have not pre-registered online, has not been confirmed. Gate 4 (Boyden Arbor Road) also works for graduation, but its hours are limited, so Gate 2 is the easier choice. Graduation morning is the busiest window of the week, so give yourself extra time.

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. You can send letters, cards, and care packages to your Soldier throughout BCT. The mailing address is on the pinning or graduation ceremony letter the unit sends to families, or it may be in an initial phone call from your Soldier. Use the exact format provided (including company, battalion, and regiment) so the mail reaches them. Note that Soldiers may not have reliable access to their mail toward the end of training as schedules intensify, but it will be waiting for them.

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.

More Fort Jackson graduation questions