12/16/2025
Leyte Dragons,
Tomorrow is the Graduation Ceremony for Basic Combat Training Cycle 26-01!
Timeline for tomorrow:
6 a.m. Hilton Field Gates open for parking and seating
8 a.m. Naturalization Ceremony (Yellow Star pavilion on the map)
9 a.m. Graduation Ceremony begins
9:45 a.m. Ceremony concludes and formation splits for departure
Attached is a map and orientation of Hilton Field. While you may find the field on your preferred GPS application, we recommend following the blue-painted line from any Fort Jackson gate. That blue line will direct you to the appropriate entrance of Hilton Field. It typically appears in Google or Apple Maps searches. The QR Code will directly take you to a Google Maps directions route to the field.
Military Police will direct traffic into the field, and then additional Soldiers will direct parking in the general area. Handicap parking is available.
Once parked, make your way towards the green square, which is the entrance & screening area for the bleachers. All bags will be searched! Contraband, especially drugs, unlabeled medications, weapons of all kinds (fi****ms, knives, tasers, sprays, etc.) will be confiscated.
From there, ushers will direct family to seating areas in front of the respective companies.
Due to the tight timelines, we regret to inform families that there will not be a traditional "Tap Out" for the graduates. After the ceremony concludes, Families will be asked to remain in the stands as the formation separates into their mode of travel. All travel plans have already been confirmed; no changes will be honored unless approved by the command on a case-by-case basis.
"POVers" are Graduates who have Family members picking up and transporting them to their leave location. POVers will move to the baseball fields for pickup and departure by said family. They will be organized by Company.
Commercial Travelers are Graduates who purchased a ticket through Victory Travel. These Graduates will depart Hilton Field and head to their respective locations for the next leg as they travel to their leave locations. There is no allotted time to meet with family on the field after graduation. Families are not authorized to attempt to meet their Graduate at the Battalion or Company areas, or their departing travel node.
Task Force Victory Graduates are those remaining on Fort Jackson during the Victory Block Leave period. These Graduates may have a brief opportunity on the field to greet family, but will also depart shortly after the ceremony.
If you cannot attend tomorrow, the Graduation Ceremony will be livestreamed right here on this page.
Do not click any links or pay any fees; the ceremony is free of charge.
Please enjoy the ceremony, your time over Victory Block Leave, and help ensure your Soldier makes it to their Advanced Individual Training location on time to continue their Army career.
