August 2015: We got a pass –basically, free days where command didn’t schedule any training– before going to Kuwait. A “pass” isn’t counted against your accumulated vacation time, which is awarded to you as part of your normal enlistment like many civilian jobs and their offers of vacation time.

In our case, and as seen here, a pass can come with restrictions: we had to stay within a certain radius of Ft. McCoy, although families were free to come fly in and visit if they wanted. The nearest airport was LaCrosse, Wisconsin, but it was also possible to get flights into Madison or Milwaukee that might be cheaper, then rent a car or bus in closer.