21 May 2013

Dear Family Members and Guests:

Greetings from Fort Jackson and the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment! The Basic Combat Training unit to which your Soldier is assigned. CSM Tramel and I are honored to be entrusted with the training and care of your Soldier. My cadre and I are committed to making every Soldier’s initial Army experience a success.

Basic Combat Training (BCT) is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Our mission is to ensure new Soldiers successfully transition from civilian to military life. To graduate from BCT, your Soldier must pass challenging qualification tests in rifle marksmanship, physical fitness and basic Soldier skills. Although demanding, our training methods and professional Drill Sergeants ensure that every Soldier has the opportunity to succeed. We are grateful for the opportunity to train your Soldier. Your encouragement and letters from home will help your Soldier during training. Please communicate with your Soldier throughout the BCT cycle and confirm that he/she will graduate. Unfortunately, every training cycle some Soldiers become injured or do not meet all the graduation requirements and are unable to graduate and/or ship to Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

I have included the family day and graduation information below for those Soldiers that will successfully complete 10 weeks of training. We look forward to seeing you to celebrate your Soldier’s successful completion of Basic Combat Training in August 2013.

The Battalion is filling on two seperate days. Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies filled on 24 May. Delta, Echo and Fox Companies fill on 25 May 2013. Family Day for all Companies is at 09:00 A.M. on Wednesday 31 July 2013. Join us at Hilton Field located on Hampton Parkway, where I will introduce you to the Battalion’s leaders and recognize selected Soldiers, and you depart from Hilton Field with your Soldier. Afterwards, you will be able to spend time with your Soldier, to include an opportunity to dine together at one of the pre-designated on-post clubs. Soldiers must remain on-post this day and return to the barracks before 9:00 pm that night. Please park in the designated parking and follow the instructions of the Soldiers and Military Police directing traffic.

Graduation for all Companies is at 09:00 A.M. on Thursday 1 August 2013. Join us on Hilton Field for a ceremony to mark your Soldier’s successful completion of BCT. In the event of inclement weather, graduation will be held at the Solomon Center. Soldiers will be released from Hilton Field. Soldiers are in two categories those departing for AIT right after graduation not returning to the barracks and those authorized an off-post pass, that will return to the barracks before 9:00 p.m. Thursday night for shipment to their AIT on Friday a.m.

Additionally, we occasionally have Soldiers who will graduate, but have not yet received their security clearances and therefore will not ship to AIT. Soldiers in this status (security holdovers) will remain on Fort Jackson following BCT.

Transportation will be provided through government means for Soldiers going to AIT. Soldiers are allowed to be transported by their family, spouses, and relatives to their next duty station - some restrictions do apply, so please check with your Soldiers chain of command before making arrangements.

On-post accommodations are limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, you may call ahead to check on availability. The number is (800) 276-6984.

The Victory Travel Office, at the Solomon Center, can assist the family and friends of graduating Soldiers in referring them to local hotels, car rentals, and travel agencies. Try to make your travel reservations two to three weeks in advance for the best possible rates. Their toll free numbers are (800) 221-3503 or (803) 751-5812.

SCOUTS OUT!

LTC Kirby & CSM Tramel

AKA

Scout 6 & Scout 7