So is BOLC graduation a once in a lifetime dont miss type of thing, or an ok I can celebrate him when he’s home type of thing? Son graduates on 18 Dec and will have house hunting and personal leave time to spend Christmas with us. We can get to BOLC graduation but it will be jumping through a lot of hoops. Just looking for opinions. It is Field Artillery in case that matters.
Army BOLC Graduation - Need to Attend?
- Thread starter KKreis
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AROTC Parent
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My opinion... If it's not local or regional ... celebrate when he's home. In my experience BOLC is attended by very few family members except spouses. It's different than university graduation or an initial commissioning ceremony which are generally worthwhile for family (parent) attendance. See if he wants you to host a gathering of friends and family closer to home before he heads off to his first assignment.
We didn't attend DS's SBOLC Graduation. DS put it in the same category as a promotion from 2nd to 1st LT. He told us about two weeks after he was promoted and we were a little perturbed that he hadn't say anything. I asked if it just isn't that big a deal. He said you have to kill someone to not get promoted. I asked, "Well isn't that what you're paid to do?" His response, "I'm talking about killing one of your own soldiers."
You may not even be able to attend in person. If I described the Covid precautions it would start another 18 page thread, so I'll spare you the details. That was the case for two of his subsequent graduations. Although we couldn't attend the ceremonies, we went to see him nonetheless simply to celebrate the occasions.
You may not even be able to attend in person. If I described the Covid precautions it would start another 18 page thread, so I'll spare you the details. That was the case for two of his subsequent graduations. Although we couldn't attend the ceremonies, we went to see him nonetheless simply to celebrate the occasions.
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Our son told us that none of these events means anything until captain; he wants us to attend that one. Before that, he says they are just participation awards. If you can fog a mirror, you’ll make it to 1st LT, but there is a course you have to pass to make captain, so it starts to mean something (to him anyway) at that rank.
USMAROTCFamily
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Nope, didn't go and don't regret not going.
EDelahanty
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They have been livestreaming FA BOLC graduations. The important thing is the precious time you will have with your son, which it looks like will happen soon after anyway.
For us, among the various graduations (we did not attend the CCC graduation), the ABOLC graduation was the least worthwhile. If he gets to go, Ranger School graduation is not to be missed, particularly if they are giving day passes before graduation.
For us, among the various graduations (we did not attend the CCC graduation), the ABOLC graduation was the least worthwhile. If he gets to go, Ranger School graduation is not to be missed, particularly if they are giving day passes before graduation.
A link from a blog from my old classmate:
www.boots2amazon.com
Remembering My Dad on a Day of Remembrance
I spent a memorable week with my Dad in July 2010. We ate BBQ, laughed, went to Church and put his affairs in order. He had noticeably lost a ton of weight, but his eyes and spirit were strong. Hell, he still had a plan for recovery, and who was I to doubt him; he had already beaten it once.Just...
www.boots2amazon.com
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No need to attend unless you really want to. Commissioning and graduating college are greater accomplishments than BOLC graduation.