I have BCT, AIT, Airborne and OUST all in a row for about 24 weeks. What type of time off will I be able take after?

2018-10-19T15:06:40-04:00

I'm trying to get married after all my training and before I show up to my first duty station.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 19 at 2018 3:11 PM

2018-10-19T15:11:05-04:00

If you're lucky, maybe a week or two, depending on your orders.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2018 3:26 PM

2018-10-19T15:26:15-04:00

Don’t get married

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2018 3:48 PM

2018-10-19T15:48:38-04:00

Depends on a multitude of things, first, how much leave will you have, second, will your unit allow you to take a pass or leave? Is there any gaps in your training that would permit you to take leave (in between AIT and Airborne school) most likely not.

But just to understand, if you are new to the Army I would not bank on getting much if any time to do anything but train (BCT, AIT, Airborne School) most likely your duty station will be Fort Bragg (don't quote me on that) things can move quickly or slow and most likely your BCT/AIT/Airborne school will not be trying to give you any time off and you will not have that many days leave anyway.

If your new, consider:
1. Getting married before you enter into Active duty (makes it easier for all) or,
2. Wait until you are settled into your first duty station/ unit (its on your command and leadership what they will let you do or when you can do it).

Remember you are in the Army now so, it is not about what you want to do, it is about whether the person in charge of you wants to let you you do what you want to do. If you are new to the Army you will not have earned enough leave during your 24 weeks, that is about 6 days accrued (which you only need a day to get married but, you need more time to get your spouse to base, enrolled, ID card etc. which your unit training units are not going to probably want to deal with.

By looking at your MOS you will OSUT to most likely Fort Leonard Wood, (Lost in the woods) and then off to Fort Benning for your Airborne training the only GAP is your travel time between OSUT and Airborne Training. Which in my expereince is usually a flight between point A to point B. So with that in mind it goes back to 1. and 2. which is easier for you, your spouse and the Army??

Granted, you may have enough time, but I would not get to OSUT and go up to your Drill Sergeant and ask "when this is over can get some leave so I can get married" that might not playout in your favor.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2018 12:57 AM

2018-10-20T00:57:17-04:00

I had a similar path on my way into the Army, as many others do; BCT, AIT, Airborne, totaling 30-weeks. BTW, One Station Unit Training (OSUT) is actually BCT and AIT combined, they run consecutively; BCT: 9 weeks; Psychological Operations AIT: 12 weeks.

If you are trying to time it after Airborne school but before reporting to your first duty station, you will have to wait to see what your report date is on your orders leaving Airborne School. Based on your new unit report date, you can apply (while at Airborne school) to take 10-days of leave during that gap in-between. You should have about 15 days of leave earned by that point. You then have to ensure you make it to your unit by the report date on your orders. See the Basic Airborne Course Leaves and Pass policy page, http://www.benning.army.mil/Infantry/ARTB/1-507th/Airborne/Leave.html

At Airborne school you will be living in the barracks, but you have free-roam after each training day. Additionally, you have Saturday and Sunday to do as you please, as long as training doesn't get shifted to the weekend. I rented a hotel room nearby on the weekend to peacefully recover from Ground Week, as I was SORE and exhausted, and didn't feel like being in a 4-bunk room. That was 2005 for me.

Fort Benning | Basic Airborne Course (BAC)

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