3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment

40 Rounds! And Victory Starts Here!

The primary way you will be able to communicate with your trainee while they are in training is through mail. We encourage everyone to write their trainee often to express support and help the trainees feel connected with their family and friends.

Please be aware that it takes longer for mail to be delivered at Fort Jackson than normal due to extra sorting steps once it arrives at the installation. It is not unusual for it to take two weeks or more for mail to reach your trainee. We do not withhold mail from trainees. Once it arrives at the unit it will be passed out. The only thing that might delay passing out mail would be if the company is conducting a field training exercise and is away from the company area for a few days. 

Phone use is a privilege in Basic Combat Training. 

After the initial phone call they are authorized to make when they first arrive at the battalion from reception, they will only be granted access to their phones for a limited amount of time, usually sometime on Sunday afternoons. The exact time is determined by their company leadership. 

It is important to note, we do not dictate who the trainees call or how they chose to use their allotted phone time.  Some trainees choose not to exercise this privilege as they find it may reduce their ability to focus on the mission at hand. It is also the responsibility of the trainee to ensure their phone maintains a charge. 

We understand that in today's era of technology, it can be very difficult on everyone to lose the instant access to each other that is the norm. It is important for the trainees to remain focused on their mission and purpose at basic training. Eliminating distractions that come with constant phone access is an important aspect of the transformation process. 

PRO TIP: From the families that came before you, think of Basic Combat Training like your first deployment. When on active duty, there will be times your Soldier won't be able to call for weeks, if not longer. While a challenge in our constantly connected world, it is a part of Army life. 

Emergencies:

We sincerely hope you do not need to use this information. However in the event there is an emergency involving an immediate family member, contact the American Red Cross at (877) 272-7337. The Red Cross will contact your trainee’s battalion and provide assistance if the Soldier returns home on leave. Units will not be able to assist without Red Cross verification.

You must have the following information available: 

• Soldier's full legal name

• Rank/rating

• Branch of service (Army)

• Social Security number or Date of Birth

• Military unit address (4380 Century Division Ave. Fort Jackson, SC 29207)

You can also initiate a Red Cross Notification online at: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/hero-care-network/emergency-communication.html

Looking ahead to graduation

Graduation will occur on April 9, 2026 at 9 a.m. eastern on Hilton Field, Fort Jackson. The graduation ceremony will also be live-streamed to the Fort Jackson Facebook page.  After the ceremony Soldiers will be released to their families with an off-post pass and can spend the remainder of the day in the greater Columbia area. Those being transported to their Advanced Individual Training location by an adult family member/legal guardian will sign out from the unit immediately following the ceremony at Hilton Field to begin their travel to AIT. Soldiers not being transported by family must report back to their company area at the time designated by their unit leadership. 

Family Day will occur on April 8, 2026 at 9 a.m. eastern on Hilton Field, Fort Jackson. Families can expect to spend the day with their Soldier on Fort Jackson. Soldiers who do not have family attending may spend the day with a battle buddy. Soldiers must report back to their company at the time designated by their unit leadership.

Graduating Soldiers must remain in uniform for the remainder of the day on both Family Day and Graduation.

Important Information:

-The gates to Hilton Field will open at approximately 6 a.m. 

-All bags will be inspected before being granted entrance to the viewing stands.

-All guests should be seated by 8:50 a.m. 

-There is no limit on the number of guests who may attend. 

-Weather this time of year can be unpredictable. It could be extremely cold or it could feel like late spring/early summer. Please monitor the weather and dress appropriately for the conditions. In the event of inclement weather on Family Day or Graduation, the Fort Jackson Facebook page will post the inclement weather plan for these events. 

-To gain access to Fort Jackson, all individual 18 years of age and older must present a valid, government-issued photo ID. (A REAL ID is not currently required for entry.)

Advanced Individual Training

While graduation from Basic Combat Training is a momentous occasion, it is only the beginning of their Army career. After graduation your trainee will report to their Advanced Individual Training (AIT) location to train in their designated Military Occupation Specialty (MOS). 

POV Travel

Trainees who have an AIT location east of the Mississippi River, have the option of traveling to their AIT with their family via privately owned vehicle (POV). Trainees must be driven to their AIT by a spouse, parent, grandparent, adult sibling or other legal guardian. Trainees cannot drive themselves to their AIT location. Trainees who select this option will be released following their graduation ceremony and will not have to report back at the end of the day. They must report to their AIT location the day after Graduation by 5 p.m. (1700 in military time). 

In order to transport your trainee to their AIT location by POV your trainee must select this option when given the opportunity by their company leadership. 

Please be aware that other installations have different access requirements than Fort Jackson. You will need to contact the installation where your trainee will be conducting AIT to find out what requirements they have in order for you to enter the installation to drop off your trainee. 

GOV Travel

Trainees whose AIT location is west of the Mississippi River or those who are not being transported by family will be transported by government arranged transportation (GOV) to their AIT locations and will leave during shipping operations the day after Graduation. 

Please note, the exception to this are trainees that are conducting AIT at Fort Jackson. They must return to the barracks the evening of Graduation and will be transferred to their AIT unit on Friday. 

Army unit structures can be confusing for people who are new to the military. To help you understand your trainee's address and chain of command here is information on the units in our battalion.

Companies:

The 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment (3-13) is made up of five companies designated by a letter:

• A co - Alpha Company "Gators"
• B co - Bravo Company "Bulldogs"
• C Co - Charlie Company "Cobras"
• D Co - Delta Company "Aces"
• E co - Echo Company "Eagles"

Each company is lead by a command team consisting of an officer who is the company commander and senior non-commissioned officer who is the company first sergeant. Along with these command teams each company has a dedicated team of cadre and drill sergeants who work tirelessly to transform the Trainees into Soldiers. 

Platoons:

Each company is made up of four platoons designated by a number. Each platoon will also have a mascot or slogan that your trainee may mention on the phone or when you see them at family day/graduation. 

Battle Buddies:

Your trainee will work most closely with the other trainees in their platoon and will regularly train alongside trainees in the other platoons in their company. You will often here your trainee refer to their battle buddies. This can be a generic term for their team mates they are training along side of in their platoon/company, or it may refer to specific individuals they have formed a closer connection with. 

Battle buddy also refers to the policy that trainees do not go anywhere alone. When they are outside their bay, they must always have at least one battle buddy with them. 

Family Day and Graduation

When it comes time for Family Day and Graduation, your trainee will be in formation by company and platoon. You will be able to find your loved one much faster if you know their unit information. 

Graduation Live-stream

When it comes time for Graduation, those who cannot attend can watch the ceremony live on the Fort Jackson Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/fortjackson

The live-stream will post to the page 15 min before the start of the ceremony.