What items are prohibited at the gate for Army graduation?

Military installation gates prohibit or restrict several common items, and the simplest rule for graduation week is to leave firearms at home entirely. Fort Leonard Wood asks visitors not to bring privately owned firearms onto post at all, does not allow concealed carry, and bans marijuana in any form (Missouri's state legalization does not apply on a federal installation). Fort Sill requires any firearm brought on post to be registered at the Visitor Welcome Center and transported unloaded with ammunition stored separately. Alcohol is prohibited on most posts outside designated areas. Large backpacks and bulky bags may be searched at the gate or visitor control center. Drones are prohibited without specific written authorization from the installation commander. Knives over a certain blade length (typically 3 inches) are restricted. Check with your specific installation before bringing anything you are unsure about. When in doubt, leave it in the hotel.

What documents should I carry on graduation day?

Every adult in your group needs a government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, state ID, or passport. REAL ID rules vary by post: Fort Benning does not currently enforce REAL ID, and Fort Jackson waives it for Family Day and Graduation, but Fort Sill and Fort Leonard Wood require a REAL ID-compliant license (gold star) or a US passport and do not accept digital IDs. A physical card is required everywhere, so if your license lacks the gold star, bring a passport as backup. If you are driving onto post, bring vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Have the unit's graduation letter accessible on your phone or as a printout: some posts use it to speed through the visitor lane on graduation day. Pre-registering at pass.aie.army.mil before you travel can cut gate wait time at Sill and Leonard Wood (at Sill, the garrison asks for at least 24 hours' notice).

What should I wear to an outdoor Army graduation in summer or winter?

Summer graduations (May through September) at Southern posts run hot. Wear breathable, light-colored layers. Bring a wide-brim hat and sunscreen rated SPF 50 or higher: graduation parades last 1-2 hours in direct sunlight on open parade fields with no shade. Closed-toe shoes are required and practical; grass fields and gravel parking lots are hard on sandals. Bring a reusable water bottle. Winter graduations (October through March) at Northern posts can be cold and windy on an open field; dress in warm layers and bring gloves. A light packable rain jacket covers both wet grass and a light drizzle that might not cancel the ceremony.

Can I bring flowers or balloons to Army graduation?

Flowers are permitted at Army graduation ceremonies and are a common family gift. Cut flowers and small bouquets are easy to carry to the bleachers; potted plants are impractical given the walking distance. Balloons are allowed on most posts but can obstruct the view for other families during the pass-in-review parade, so keep them at seat level or tie them to your wrist. Large balloon arches and inflatable decorations are not practical for bleacher seating. Check with the installation Public Affairs office if you are planning a large floral arrangement or a display that takes up more than your seat.

What should I bring to the graduation bleachers?

The essentials for graduation bleachers are: a folding seat cushion (metal bleachers are hard after an hour), sunscreen (outdoor ceremonies offer no shade), a wide-brim hat or cap, a water bottle (heat or dehydration is the most common family issue), binoculars to spot your Soldier during the pass-in-review, and a fully charged phone for photos and coordination after the ceremony. A small packable umbrella covers light rain and doubles as sun shade. Leave bulky bags, full-size backpacks, and anything that needs storing: you will be walking from the parking lot to the field and back with no luggage drop.

Packing list for Fort Sill graduation

Everything we wish we’d brought, sorted by when you’d actually need it. The star marks the things families come back and say they wish they’d packed.

Guard or Reserve family? Doing a same-day round trip instead of the two-night Active-Duty pattern? Skip the hotel-breakfast items and pack for the drive.

What to leave at the hotel

All vehicles are subject to search at the gate. Leave these items locked in the car or at the hotel before you arrive.

Firearms and weapons. No personal firearms, ammunition, or knives with blades over 3 inches.
Outside alcohol. Bringing alcohol onto post is prohibited.
Large bags and backpacks. Oversized bags may be refused. A small purse or drawstring bag is practical.
Drones and aerial devices. Unmanned aerial vehicles of any size require written authorization.
Glass containers. Glass bottles are not permitted at outdoor ceremony venues.

Source: Army Regulation 190-13 and standard installation access policy, verified June 2026. .

Not sure what to wear?

Dress code and season-by-season layering for the bleachers.

See what to wear

Common questions

What items are prohibited at the gate for Army graduation?: Military installation gates prohibit or restrict several common items, and the simplest rule for graduation week is to leave firearms at home entirely. Fort Leonard Wood asks visitors not to bring privately owned firearms onto post at all, does not allow concealed carry, and bans marijuana in any form (Missouri's state legalization does not apply on a federal installation). Fort Sill requires any firearm brought on post to be registered at the Visitor Welcome Center and transported unloaded with ammunition stored separately. Alcohol is prohibited on most posts outside designated areas. Large backpacks and bulky bags may be searched at the gate or visitor control center. Drones are prohibited without specific written authorization from the installation commander. Knives over a certain blade length (typically 3 inches) are restricted. Check with your specific installation before bringing anything you are unsure about. When in doubt, leave it in the hotel.
What documents should I carry on graduation day?: Every adult in your group needs a government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, state ID, or passport. REAL ID rules vary by post: Fort Benning does not currently enforce REAL ID, and Fort Jackson waives it for Family Day and Graduation, but Fort Sill and Fort Leonard Wood require a REAL ID-compliant license (gold star) or a US passport and do not accept digital IDs. A physical card is required everywhere, so if your license lacks the gold star, bring a passport as backup. If you are driving onto post, bring vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Have the unit's graduation letter accessible on your phone or as a printout: some posts use it to speed through the visitor lane on graduation day. Pre-registering at pass.aie.army.mil before you travel can cut gate wait time at Sill and Leonard Wood (at Sill, the garrison asks for at least 24 hours' notice).
What should I wear to an outdoor Army graduation in summer or winter?: Summer graduations (May through September) at Southern posts run hot. Wear breathable, light-colored layers. Bring a wide-brim hat and sunscreen rated SPF 50 or higher: graduation parades last 1-2 hours in direct sunlight on open parade fields with no shade. Closed-toe shoes are required and practical; grass fields and gravel parking lots are hard on sandals. Bring a reusable water bottle. Winter graduations (October through March) at Northern posts can be cold and windy on an open field; dress in warm layers and bring gloves. A light packable rain jacket covers both wet grass and a light drizzle that might not cancel the ceremony.
Can I bring flowers or balloons to Army graduation?: Flowers are permitted at Army graduation ceremonies and are a common family gift. Cut flowers and small bouquets are easy to carry to the bleachers; potted plants are impractical given the walking distance. Balloons are allowed on most posts but can obstruct the view for other families during the pass-in-review parade, so keep them at seat level or tie them to your wrist. Large balloon arches and inflatable decorations are not practical for bleacher seating. Check with the installation Public Affairs office if you are planning a large floral arrangement or a display that takes up more than your seat.
What should I bring to the graduation bleachers?: The essentials for graduation bleachers are: a folding seat cushion (metal bleachers are hard after an hour), sunscreen (outdoor ceremonies offer no shade), a wide-brim hat or cap, a water bottle (heat or dehydration is the most common family issue), binoculars to spot your Soldier during the pass-in-review, and a fully charged phone for photos and coordination after the ceremony. A small packable umbrella covers light rain and doubles as sun shade. Leave bulky bags, full-size backpacks, and anything that needs storing: you will be walking from the parking lot to the field and back with no luggage drop.

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Packing list for Fort Sill

Documents (no entry without these)

Graduation morning

Oklahoma weather (Sill-specific)

Family Day (Thursday, the day before graduation)

Optional but appreciated

What to leave at the hotel

Not sure what to wear?

Common questions