Army
Army’s newest soldiers travel home to spend time with loved ones during Holiday Block Leave
Stars and Stripes
December 19, 2024
Combined Arms Support Command Soldiers process Advanced Individual Training soldiers ensuring they have their leave orders, airline tickets and other necessary documents during the Holiday Block Leave program Dec. 18, 2024, at the Richmond International Airport, Va. (Dani Johnson/U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command)
The Army’s newest soldiers from 21 base installations across the country are heading home for a well-deserved break during Holiday Block Leave.
Gen. Gary M. Brito, commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and Command, and Sgt. Maj. Raymond S. Harris stopped by the Richmond International Airport in Virginia, on Wednesday to wish a happy holiday to soldiers before they departed for home.
“We hope the more than 40,000 soldiers traveling for Holiday Block Leave enjoy their break and return ready to continue their training and new careers in the Army,” Brito sad.
Local volunteers welcomed the soldiers at the airport and offered them food after check-in. Dozens of cadres (school group leaders) were also in attendance to hand off their trainees and ensure a smooth and orderly transition.
Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, right, talks with an Advanced Individual Training soldier flying home on leave during the Combined Arms Support Command Holiday Block Leave program, Dec. 18, 2024, at the Richmond International Airport, Va. (Dani Johnson/U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command)
Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, right, talks with three Advanced Individual Training soldiers flying home on leave during the Combined Arms Support Command Holiday Block Leave program, Dec. 18, 2024, at the Richmond International Airport, Va. (Dani Johnson/U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command)
Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, second from right, talks with two Advanced Individual Training soldiers as Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris looks on. The Soldiers are flying home on leave during the Combined Arms Support Command Holiday Block Leave program, Dec. 18, 2024, at the Richmond International Airport, Va. (Dani Johnson/U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command)
“I look forward to coming home for the holidays because I haven’t seen my family in over six months, so I am very excited to see them,” said Pvt. Mariah Harris, a trainee of the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Gregg-Adams, Va.
While a lot of the attention during this period is on the trainees and students, drill sergeants and cadres also get to take a break from an almost non-stop training cycle.
HBL, planned by the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, provides soldiers in basic training and Advanced Individual Training a two-week period from Dec. 17-Jan. 5 to spend the holidays with family and friends before resuming training in the new year.
The Army is the only branch of service to pause basic training and AIT during the holiday season.
Soldiers can also remain on post where they will be supported throughout the holidays by their unit and the installation. The garrison and U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command ensures the well-being of soldiers who decide to stay at their training locations during HBL.