boot camp graduations

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Graduation day is an exhilarating experience for the Soldiers who have worked hard to reach this most important goal. It is a day in which you will want to take part, a day to reassure as an exciting milestone in your Soldier's military career. To ensure that your Soldier remains focused and motivated throughout the coming weeks, your support is vital. We strongly encourage you to write your Soldier on a regular basis as mail is extremely important to Basic Training Soldiers. Letters and packages are welcome, but we discourage the use of Registered or Certified mail, as the Soldier has to leave training to go sign for the mail. Due to the intense training schedule, your Soldier will be unable to receive calls during basic training, but they will have several opportunities to call home. Graduation itineraries will be mailed by the soldiers to their family members during the fourth or fifth week of training informing you of the graduation activities dates, times, and locations. Also, remember that Soldiers cannot have candy, alcohol, or tobacco at the barracks, so please limit your packages accordingly. On behalf of all who support your Soldier through the physical and mental demands of Basic training and help guide your Soldier to this triumphant occasion, we want to personally welcome you, in advance, to this graduation ceremony. Your presence is strongly encouraged as you share your Soldier's pride and acknowledge the graduating class for its achievement. Getting to Fort Leonard Wood Fort Leonard Wood is located in the heart of the Ozarks on Interstate 44. We are approximately 130 miles west of Saint Louis and 90 miles east of Springfield. we have a Greyhound bus station in St. Robert, Mo (just outside the main gate) with two buses stopping daily. Major carriers fly into Springfield, Missouri and St. Louis' Lambert Field. Air Commuter service is available between St. Louis and Fort Leonard Wood. USA Express operates an airport shuttle service 7 times daily between Fort Leonard Wood and St. Louis Lambert Airport. The phone number is 800-872-9399 or you can visit the site online at www.usaxonline.com. You must make reservations in advance. Rental cars are available from the airport. The Day before Graduation Due to tighter security measures that are being implemented at Fort Leonard Wood you may experience some delay in getting to various locations on the post. It would be wise to plan a little extra time to go to and from these locations. Arrive at Saint Robert or Fort Leonard Wood and check into the lodging that you have reserved from the list provided. The Soldiers will be fully engaged completing their out-processing requirements. You may drive around the battalion area but no visits are allowed until the pre-graduation brief is completed. A pre-graduation briefing will be given at Baker Theatre (Building 607) followed by a reception given by the company. If your Soldier has completed all requirements for graduation, immediate family members may sign him/her out for a pass mid afternoon. They must return no later than 11:00 p.m. to complete graduation activities. Parking is available on both sides of Baker Theatre. There is an overflow area adjacent to the north side parking lot. Graduation Day Arrive at Baker Theatre about 15 minutes before the graduation ceremony is scheduled to begin. The graduation will last about an hour. Shipping locations for Advanced Individual Training vary their departure schedules, all Soldiers will ship the day of graduation, approximately 12:00 PM.