Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is the final phase of initial military training, where a soldier learns the specific skills for their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). AIT marks the transition from trainee to a qualified service member. Most soldiers do not return home immediately after their AIT graduation ceremony concludes.
The Direct Transition to Permanent Duty Station
The military operates under a policy of continuous service, meaning a soldier’s duty status is uninterrupted from the moment they enlist through their full contract term. Once AIT is successfully completed, the soldier transitions instantly from a training status to a duty status, requiring immediate reporting to the first official unit. This immediate requirement prevents any scheduled detours, including traveling home for an extended period.
The soldier remains under the authority of the military command until they physically sign in at their next official assignment location. The training installation’s command is responsible for the soldier until they physically depart the post to begin their journey. The soldier is expected to move directly from the AIT location to their designated Permanent Duty Station (PDS) as swiftly as the authorized travel timeline allows.
Receiving Your Assignment Orders
The mechanism dictating this direct transition is the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order, which is the official documentation authorizing the move. These orders are usually generated and received by the soldier well before AIT graduation. The PCS orders contain specific information, including the name and location of the Permanent Duty Station, the required reporting date, and the precise number of authorized travel days.
The Transition or S-1 (Personnel) office at the AIT installation processes the soldier for departure. They ensure all administrative requirements are met and the soldier is prepared with their travel documents and necessary financial advances. This administrative clearance is mandatory for the soldier to officially sign out from the training command. The required reporting date on the orders is the absolute deadline for the soldier to arrive and officially check in at the new PDS.
The Logistics of Travel and Relocation
The travel time authorized on the PCS orders is calculated based on the official distance between the AIT post and the PDS. The military typically authorizes a travel rate of approximately 350 to 400 miles per day of travel. These authorized travel days are not charged against the soldier’s accrued leave balance, as they are considered necessary duty time for the relocation.
If a soldier wishes to take a longer route or spend additional time traveling, they must formally request to take ordinary leave, which is then deducted from their personal leave balance. The financial support provided during this move includes a mileage reimbursement, processed after arrival, and a per diem allowance. This daily rate is intended to cover the costs of food and lodging during the authorized travel period.
The soldier is responsible for arranging their own transportation, which is often a personal vehicle. Soldiers are instructed to maintain detailed receipts for all major expenditures, especially lodging, throughout their journey. The per diem rates are standardized and designed to cover basic expenses.
Exceptions: When Leave or Delays Are Possible
While the default is a direct move, specific circumstances allow for temporary deviations from the standard travel plan. The most common exception is Holiday Block Leave (HBL), which occurs when AIT graduation coincides with major holidays, typically Christmas and New Year’s.
Holiday Block Leave (HBL)
During HBL, many training installations temporarily cease operations, requiring all soldiers, including those with imminent PCS orders, to take mandatory leave. Since the training base is temporarily shut down, this mandatory period often results in the soldier traveling home. The leave is officially charged against their accrued balance.
Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY)
Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY) is a less frequent exception and is a period of non-chargeable leave rarely authorized immediately after AIT. PTDY is usually reserved for soldiers with dependents who require time at the PDS to conduct house hunting or secure permanent family lodging. This allowance is generally not granted to single soldiers reporting to barracks.
Administrative Delays
Administrative delays occur when there are unforeseen issues with orders, transportation, or the receiving unit’s ability to process new personnel. When these delays happen, the soldier is typically placed in a temporary holding status at the AIT installation or a nearby transient barracks. This holding status involves performing temporary duties on post rather than being authorized to travel home.
In-Processing and Starting Your Career
The final step occurs upon the soldier’s arrival at the Permanent Duty Station. The soldier reports to the installation’s reception center, sometimes called the Central In-processing Facility. Here, they formally check in and begin the multi-day process of completing required administrative paperwork, including updating medical records, finance information, and emergency contact data.
Following initial processing, soldiers are assigned their living quarters, typically a barracks room for single soldiers. They receive instructions on post resources and their new unit’s specific reporting procedures. After completing installation-level requirements, the soldier is directed to physically report to their assigned Company or Battalion headquarters. This final report marks the transition to an active duty member of the unit.