hey i have a question and i would highly appreciate it if someone can help! so my boyfriend is in the national guard (infantrymen) he is stationed in Ft.Benning GA. he left for his basic training 3 weeks ago. I got a letter in the mail saying that his graduation was may 22nd but in the letter it said nothing about the turning blue ceremony. Does that mean they're not having one? or what? And also are there hotels near by i can stay?
You could post this over in the spouse section to see if any of the other spouses know. I remember seeing another post about graduations and hotels which I think was FT. Benning but I'm not positive. My husband went to WTC so I don't know how things work with a regular Basic Training session.
Turning blue as in changing from white phase to blue phase? If thats what your talking about that should take place just among the soliders in training enviroment at barracks or in the field. Its not part of graduation, what you'll get to see is on family day and graduation usually the next day. I could be a lil off cause each basic training station does things slightly different from what I here. But just giving you a general idea how things wind down from when I was at basic.
The turning blue ceremony is NOT going from white to blue phase in OSUT. (one station unit training).
Turning blue is where the infantry trainees get their blue cords, for their Class A uniforms, signifying that they have their rite of passage in the infantry.
I am a Medic, not infantry, but many of my friends that are infantrymen have said the ceremony is very private. The next time you are able to talk to your BF, ask him. As for hotels, Google is your friend!! You can also attempt to stay on any on-post lodging facility (if it is available at Benning) and it is usually much cheaper than off-post hotels. You usually have to book very early in advance to get a room. Check Ft. Benning's .mil site to see if there is anything that fits your needs. Good Luck
I am not infantry and so I would of not known that. Thanks for the correction, as I were. I am ordnance corps wrench turner, MP hopefully after deployment.
I am an Infantryman. Turning blue is not a private ceremony. You can have whoever you want put your blue cord on you. I had my drill sergeant do it because i had no family in attendance. It is done just prior to the actual graduation ceremony.
I think the private ceremony you are thinking of is honor hill. No civilians are allowed there as it is held immediately following the last road march home of the last field oversize. That one is somewhat secretive and closed off, although Infantrymen are usually happy to talk about it in detail. It is the defining moment of OSUT for every Infantry recruit.
