quote:

Originally posted by Beer&Snausages

Michael,
I’ll be making the same trip at the end of Oct as my stepson is graduating from Basic at Ft. Jackson. I’ll use your trip as a guide to stay away from some places and try the local places in Columbia. As always, Thanks for the informative report.

Congratulations on your about-to-be Warrior stepson. [:D]

Things I learned:

If you can, go to Entrance Gate 4 the day before Family Day. That way you can get your pass ahead of time and there’ll be less of a hassle the next morning.

Be sure to get to the Solomon Center early on Family Day if you want a parking spot anywhere near the place. And the same is true for graduation at Hilton Field. I arrived at the post at 7:45 a.m. for the 9 a.m. graduation and there was already a long line of cars waiting to get through the gate.

Your soldier probably doesn’t know it, but he’ll need a hanging bag for his Class A uniform and his shirts. You can get one at the main PX when you go there with him on Family Day. But consider yourself warned about the crowds at the PX on that day.

When they announce to you during graduation ceremonies that you can meet your soldier after it is over at the right side of the field, don’t count on it. Some companies allow it, but most do not, and your walk might be for naught. If your stepson’s company does not permit it, you’ll have to meet him at his barracks when he gets off the bus and is dismissed, so be sure to find out on Family Day where his barracks building is located.

By the way, you will marvel at the way he looks, and I guarantee that you will be very proud of all the new soldiers you see. They are amazing Americans.

Have a great time.