After the ceremony, your Soldier is released to you for the rest of the day. Here is how the pass works at Fort Leonard Wood: on-post vs. off-post, what your Soldier can wear, when to bring them back, and what to confirm with the unit before you plan.
One distinction up front: the Family Day pass covers your Soldier leaving with you, while the AIE pass covers you getting on post at all. Fort Leonard Wood generally does not require a pre-obtained pass for a U.S. citizen who arrives on Family Day and leaves on graduation day, although the garrison lists advance registration as the preferred method. Early arrivals, later departures, on-post hotel stays, and non-U.S. citizens have additional requirements. See the common questions below for the full installation comparison.
Released once the Family Day formation ends, typically mid-morning.
Confirm with your Soldier’s unit. Return 15 minutes before the announced time.
On-post vs. off-post is set by the battalion or company, not the garrison. Confirm with the unit before making plans.
What the pass actually is
The Family Day pass is a day-pass issued by the company command. It runs from the end of the ceremony until recall. During that window, your Soldier is released into your care.
This is not a weekend pass. Your Soldier is still under orders. The pass governs where they can go, what they can do, and when they must be back. At graduation the following day, they report back into formation before the parade. They are not a free civilian yet.
The on-post vs. off-post distinction is set by the battalion, not the garrison. Your Soldier’s company is the source of truth.
Where you can go
You stay on Leonard Wood grounds. The on-post PX, on-post food options, and the grounds around the ceremony venue are accessible. Your Soldier will be in uniform. Bring them food they have been missing.
If the company grants an off-post pass, you can drive into St. Robert. Most families use the time for one sit-down meal. Don’t over-schedule. Recall comes fast.
Confirm before you plan
If you book a restaurant off-post and the company issues only an on-post pass, you’ll have to cancel. Ask your Soldier to find out from their drill sergeant before the ceremony if possible.
Rideshares are permitted on-post at Fort Leonard Wood, but drivers need a permit and wait times in St. Robert can be longer than in larger cities. A rental car (opens in new tab) or family vehicle is more reliable.
When to bring them back
Recall time is set by the company and announced at or before the ceremony. Ask your Soldier to find out from their drill sergeant ahead of time. A typical Family Day recall is in the late afternoon.
A late return is not just your Soldier’s problem. If one Soldier is missing at recall, the whole company stands at formation waiting. Show up on time.
What happens if they’re late: Consequences vary by company policy. Don’t find out the hard way. Just be on time.
Rules for the pass
Uniform
Your Soldier stays in Army Combat Uniform for the Family Day pass. Do not bring a change of clothes; changing out of uniform during the pass is a violation of pass conditions. Confirm with the unit if you have heard otherwise from another family.
Alcohol
No alcohol during the Family Day pass, regardless of age. Pass conditions set by the company govern the pass window. Don’t buy it for them or put it in front of them.
Cell phone
Most companies return phones before or during Family Day. If your Soldier has theirs, this is often the first unrestricted phone time they’ve had. Expect them to want to call or text people who are not there.
Where to confirm the specifics
Your Soldier’s company first sergeant or drill sergeant is the right source for recall time, pass type, and any Fort Leonard Wood-specific rules. The Fort Leonard Wood garrison website is the official fallback for public access information.
Public Affairs contact: (573) 563-4145 / usarmy.flwpao@army.mil.
Quick answers
- What should we do with our Soldier during the Family Day pass?
- Build the day around the unit's pass boundary, recall time, and travel radius. A meal and unstructured time are safer than a packed itinerary because traffic and gate re-entry consume part of the pass. Fort Jackson's current guide says Family Day is typically on-post while graduation release is typically off-post within 25 miles, but the training battalion can change those limits. Confirm the current brief before making reservations.
- Can I take my Soldier off post during the Family Day pass?
- Only if the current unit brief authorizes it. Fort Jackson's visitor guide says Family Day release is typically on-post and graduation release is typically off-post within 25 miles, while Fort Sill's brigade FAQ directs families to follow the Soldier's specific pass rules. Do not infer permission from another company's experience. Confirm the boundary, recall time, uniform rules, and transportation restrictions with your Soldier before leaving post.
- What is the AIE pass, and do I need it for Family Day or graduation?
- AIE (Automated Installation Entry) is the Army's online visitor background-check system at pass.aie.army.mil, but each post applies it differently. Fort Sill requires every adult (18+) to either use the dedicated graduation-morning visitor lane or pre-register online at least 24 hours in advance. Fort Jackson's official visitor guide says that beginning August 1, 2026, every visitor 18 or older needs an AIE visitor's pass for Family Day and Graduation; its NCIC background check can take 3 to 30 business days. Fort Benning does not require advance AIE registration when every adult has a valid REAL ID: the gate scan becomes a digital visitor pass. Families who prefer to pre-register use AIE's Special Event option and their battalion code; non-U.S. citizens must process at the Lindsey Creek Visitor Control Center. Fort Leonard Wood admits U.S. citizens on Family Day and Graduation Day with compliant physical ID and no pre-obtained pass for a same-weekend visit, while non-U.S. citizens arrange access in advance. Check your installation's current gate guidance before travel.
- When does Family Day start at Fort Leonard Wood?
- Family Day at Fort Leonard Wood is the Forge Ceremony, the recognition formation that runs after The Forge field exercise concludes. It is typically held Wednesday morning the day before Graduation. The exact start time and venue vary by company: Gammon Field (primary outdoor parade field), Nutter Field House, Baker Theater, or Abrams Theater are the four venues in rotation. Check home.army.mil/wood/my-fort/grad/calendar for your Soldier's specific company assignment.
Plan your Family Day
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