Holiday Block Leave Frequently Asked Questions

HBL, unique to Initial Military Training, marks the time when students and trainees depart schools and training centers in mid-December for the two-week holiday. Getting our Soldiers home as safely as possible will be our primary focus in the days leading up to the holiday season. The holidays will give our Soldiers and instructors a much-needed and well-deserved break from training to reconnect with loved-ones. Rest, maintaining healthy relationships and taking prudent steps to protect against illness are all essential to Soldier health this year.

Thousands of initial entry training Soldiers (Soldiers in basic combat training, one-station-unit training and advanced individual training), Soldiers attending basic officer leaders courses and Soldiers attending professional military education courses are expected to travel home for holidays this year.

MSCoE will execute its yearly holiday block leave operations for those Soldiers and cadre whose training classes span this year’s holiday.

The operational tempo of both the trainees and cadre in the past year makes this leave vital to the wellbeing of our Soldiers and their families. Soldiers will have the opportunity to choose between going away for holiday leave or taking R&R at their training center with support from our Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation services.

Soldiers in training who choose to travel home for HBL have the option to travel by bus or plane. They also have the option to be picked up by family members.

Our Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation team is planning special events for those who have stayed behind during Holiday Block Leave. Events planned for those staying include: movies; video gaming tournament; group fitness classes, such as yoga; bowling; and other outside activities weather permitting. FMWR is also partnering with the local community for a day of recreation and camaraderie, opportunities for sports and fitness, and with the USO to ring in the holiday season. 

Soldiers not returning home will be provided access to cell phones and mobile devices, mail delivery and activities sponsored by our Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Family members will not be allowed to visit their Soldiers in training who stay at Fort Leonard Wood.

Yes, family members will have the opportunity to pick up their Soldiers in training. Arrangements will need to be made with the Soldiers in training in advance. Units remain the primary source of information for individual Soldier circumstances.

To access the installation, individuals aged 18 years and older must present a state or federally issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, as security personnel conduct 100 percent ID checks at all gates of entry. In addition, those operating a vehicle are required to have in possession a current driver license, proof of current vehicle insurance and current vehicle registration. More information about visitor access is online here.

There are no changes to DoD cardholders’ ability to access the post during HBL. Key services and hours of operation vary during Holiday Block Leave, please call ahead.

Primary: (573) 596-0222

Secondary: (573) 596-1685

Primary: (573) 433-1774

Cell: (573) 842-8930

Desk: (573) 596-2558

Detachment CDO: (573) 337-9628

Desk: (573) 596-4226

Secondary: (573) 596-3704

Primary: (573) 596-0488

Secondary: (573) 528-9065