Fort Knox graduation for Basic and Advanced Camp

Fort Knox Graduation is a Cadet’s first introduction into their Army career, and a huge accomplishment. Graduation of Basic Camp allows Cadets to join ROTC at the start of the 3rd year level of the 4 year course. Graduation of Advanced Camp proves the Cadet’s ability to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and is considered the most important evaluation event in ROTC.

To take the stress out of your trip, here’s all you need to know for Fort Knox graduations.

How to get to Fort Knox?

We advise that anyone flying to graduation at Fort Knox should fly into Louisville International Airport (SDF). It is located 45 minutes away from Fort Knox and is serviced by most major airlines.

When getting on to base at Fort Knox, you should enter through Chafee Gate. For detailed driving instructions for getting onto Fort Knox, check out Fort Knox’s Official Driving Instructions page.

Please remember that everyone entering Fort Knox must have a valid ID which will be checked before entry as well as vehicle registration and insurance if driving on to base.

Fort Knox Graduation Schedule

Depending on where you are traveling from, we usually advise friends and loved ones who are attending graduation at Fort Knox to fly in the day before Family Day to allow time for getting from the airport to your hotel and allows time for any delays in arriving.

You should also have received an RSVP for graduation via email from Fort Knox approximately 3 weeks prior to graduation so make sure to complete that too.

Family Day

Family Day is the first opportunity friends and family will get to see their Cadet since they left for training. It takes place the day before graduation. The Family Day events take place in Waybur Theatre.

Cadets can then spend time with their loved ones away from Fort Knox but must return to their regimental area no later than 7:30pm that evening.

If you are looking for some fun things to do around Fort Knox for graduation, check out 9 Things to do near Fort Knox!

Graduation Day

It’s finally here! Basic Camp and Advanced Camp graduation take place at Brooks Field from 9am until 10am. If bad weather is forecasted, graduation can be moved into Natcher Gym. Usually graduation is quite hot so it’s usually good to dress accordingly and remember to stay hydrated!

Each regiment is named after a distinguished general who went through the ROTC program and you will learn about this general at the ceremony. Prayers are said, the national anthem will be played as well as the firing of the Cadet cannonade. The Cadet creed is also read aloud.

The ceremony consists of a military parade with the Cadets as well as the award giving ceremony, to recognize the notable achievements of the graduating class.

After graduation in order to have your Cadet travel with you, they must have received prior authorization. They can send in a post graduation travel request at the start of training and will be notified usually by early in week 3. They can be released to immediate family or those who are acting in locus parentis (legal term for in the place of a parent). If there is a change of travel plans, a Cadet must inform the Commander of Task Force Warrior and have that request approved.

If your Cadet doesn’t have post graduation travel request, they will be transported to Louisville Airport with government provided transportation and anyone who lives locally will be brought back to their host university with Cadre.

Useful Graduation Information

If you can’t make graduation, don’t worry! Fort Knox offers live streams of graduation for both basic and advanced camp graduation. Click here for Fort Knox Graduation Live Stream.

If you require any special assistance in terms of getting around Fort Knox for graduation, you can get in contact with the Ceremonies and Special Assistance team at Fort Knox through phone at (502) 624-2804 or email at usarmy.knox.usacc.mbx.cst-vb@mail.mil