Late Monday night, Dec. 19, the Augusta Regional Airport, Fort Gordon and the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence Command Center Team sent thousands of soldiers home for holiday leave.
More than 2,500 soldiers will be enjoying time with loved ones from Dec. 18 to Jan. 5 to rest and recuperate.
Approximately 700 soldiers were picked up from the fort, while another 1,200 departed from the Atlanta International Airport and the Augusta Regional Airport.
“The [advanced individual training] environment can be pretty rigorous,” said Drill Sergeant Anthony Fowler. “So, being able to go home, be with their family, relax, not have such a structured schedule and just kind of let their hair down a little is one thing we’re really looking forward to.”
Fowler said going home for soldiers is important as it often encourages them and acts as a reminder for why they chose to serve in the first place.
“It reminds them what and who they’re protecting,” he said.
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The Army is the only service that pauses basic training and advanced individual training for the holiday season, allowing soldiers a two-week relaxation period known as “Holiday Block Leave.”
Through this experience, Fowler said the soldiers will also learn how to go from their duty station, book a flight, go to the flight and figure out how the airport works – something that not every individual has done prior to their time in the army.
Encouraged to spend time with friends and family, the Army anticipates over 45,000 soldiers to return home from bases across the country.
“I’m most looking forward to relaxing with my family and seeing my dogs,” said Pvt. Morgan Pierpont, who will be going home to Hawaii for the break. “Hawaii is definitely more laid back, so coming here was very different. It’s just a time to relax and see friends.”
With so many soldiers putting personal lives on hold for their careers, Pierpont said the time away plays a major role in each individual’s mental health. For her, being away from family for four months has made the break all the more exciting.
“I don’t think they realize it, but they put so much time into that, and we don’t spend so much time prioritizing our family,” she said. “They need to prioritize that … it just shows us how the army is making us better people.”
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
