SAN ANTONIO - Soldiers stationed at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) at Fort Sam Houston are packing up, boarding planes and heading home for the holidays as part of their annual holiday block leave.
- For many it's their first leave since joining
- Troops will return to duty on January 3
On Friday, thousands of troops departed the military base in the early hours of the morning and arrived at the San Antonio International Airport. The annual event allows U.S. Army training and doctrine command soldiers the opportunity to take a break and visit family members or friends for Christmas and New Year’s.
For many trainees, this leave is the first visit home after joining the Army.
"This much needed break from training and allowing them to see loved ones, some of them for the first time since they joined the Army, is priceless to these young soldiers and their families," said Major General Patrick Sargent of MEDCoE.
Troops will return to normal duties on January 3.