MY son is going to Missouri and we live in North Carolina, was wondering if the army helped pay for the family members ( like mom, wife, son and such ) to see him graudate. Please no smart comments, really would like to know
2006-10-22 12:32:56 · 21 answers · asked by ncconfusedgal 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
My son graduated from Basic Training at Fort Leonardwood, Ms, 10 years ago. I came from Wash. St...NOPE. They don't give you one red cent. But it's so well worth going. I lived on pennies, and have to say..High School Graduation doesn't even come close to this Graduation..This one is more prideful, more loving, and one of the most rewarding accomplishments you and your family will go through...PLEASE...Don't miss this...GB and Be Safe...!! Thank your son for his service and bravery. Mine just Graduated Special Forces on Friday night, Oct 20TH...his b-day was the 19TH, he's 27, and has served 10 years, plus his Infantry recovered Saddam in his spider hole.....I'm still over joyed beyond words...DON'T MISS THIS. I would have crawled if I would have been forced!.............
2006-10-22 12:41:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the Army or military does NOT pay for you or any family to attend graduation.
Graduation isn't guaranteed, so they can't afford to pay all kinds of expenses for family to attend. The ceremony itself is free. Also, attending the graduation is not mandatory.
You won't get to spend much time together at graduation. There's usually a Family Day, the day prior to graduation. There are military events and a Luncheon or Dinner. Usually it's a luncheon. After that, the soldier is released on pass to spend time with their family. They have to return by lights out. The following day, graduation day, you'll see them briefly in the morning, unless it's a morning ceremony. Depending how many recruits was in a class, it averages about an hour. The ceremony itself is great. There's a slide show and presentations and a couple of speeches. It's a very proud moment when they walk across the stage to get their diploma. After the ceremony, they're usually on pass again until lights out. The day after graduation, they start shipping out to their AIT's already. Usually, within 48 hours, all the soldiers are on their way to their next training. Rarely, you get to see them that day, but it depends how much time before his training starts.
P.S. I suggest that if you or any other family or the spouse decides to attend that you book your hotel as soon as he gives you a graduation date. The hotels fill very fast.
Good luck!!
2006-10-22 13:00:28 · answer #2 · answered by HEartstrinGs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the Army is not going to pay for you to attend the graduation. As soon as you find out the graduation date, book a hotel right away, they fill up fast. Your son will want you there. It is such an important event and it is a wonderful ceremony.
2006-10-22 15:16:32 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, and it really isn't worth it.
He's going to go from Boot Camp to his specialty training without missing a step. He won't have time to see you.
Also, I *think* when he graduates specialty training, he'll probably be promoted to E2 if he hasn't been already, and be awarded the National Defense Medal (last I knew it was 4 months served, could be changed), and he'll have the brass for his specialty which will be new.
Also, he may have made a few definite plans then he'll want to tell you about.... Airborne School, Ranger School, some other good stuff.
Save it for specialty training graduation, which I hope may be closer to home.
2006-10-22 12:39:01 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the responsibility of the family and friends to pay their own way to the graduation from boot camp if they want to go.
2006-10-22 14:49:03 · answer #5 · answered by sglmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No...sorry but no...our troops barely have enough money being spent on them to take care of them and their families that live on the bases. They are not now nor have they ever paid for other family members to travel anywhere for graduation. I gather he is at Ft Leonardwood? I am about two hours from there right this second...lovely country. Make it a vacation and go on to Branson...
2006-10-22 12:39:01 · answer #6 · answered by ronibuni 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope
I received your e-mail, but it wouldn't let me send you one back. Here's my reply:
I went there in the summer of 1994. There's not very much going on there, nor the surrounding areas, so we basically stayed on base. It was tough, but I guess that I was only not use to being away from home. I truly missed my family, friends, and loved ones. Never-the-less I was able to grow. Not only physically, but mentally. This made me a man, and I appreciate it. He will be fine...May God bless
2006-10-22 12:34:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. In 92 my husband's family had to pay the way to his Marine's graduation. Things could of changed though.
2006-10-22 12:35:50 · answer #8 · answered by Hannah B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way. As the Army tells my husband: "If we wanted you to have a family, we would have issued you one."
2006-10-22 12:55:16 · answer #9 · answered by thatgirl90 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Army does not pay for you, if you want to attend you must pay for yourself.
2006-10-22 13:09:33 · answer #10 · answered by mimi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋