In the current era of Covid-19, we have seen substantial changes and adjustments in every branch of the military to how they are dealing with graduation ceremonies.
While this year’s ceremonies will look different and face limitations, you can still support your trainee in many ways.
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Every individual puts in hard work and dedication every day at training, and they deserve to be rewarded accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is Air Force Basic Training Graduation?
Air Force Basic Training Graduation would be held at JBSA Lackland located in the City of San Antonio, Texas.
This base is in an easy-to-reach location that can be driven to from the San Antonio Airport in just about 20 minutes.
Guests arriving by rideshares or taxi should be dropped off at the Luke East visitor center parking lot.
To get into the actual graduation area, you will need to enter through either the Valley Hi gate, Luke East, or the Selfridge West Gate.
Here’s a map and directions for each:
Valley Hi Gate
Address for Valley Hi Gate – 1033 Truemper St., Lackland Air Force Base
Luke East Gate
Address for Luke East Gate – 2196 Luke Blvd., Lackland Air Force Base
Selfridge West Gate
Driving directions to Selfridge Blvd West gate: www.Waze.com
The many signs and waypoints near the base should make it easy enough to find where you need to go with the assistance of a GPS.
How has Covid-19 affected Air Force boot camp graduation?
In nearly every way, COVID-19 has had a direct effect on the way that Air Force trainees are going about their training and how they will graduate.
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While the situation is constantly changing and evolving, there have been many measures taken over the past years to ensure the safety of everyone on and off of the base.
Starting with basic training, the overall time spent for new recruits in basic training has been reduced from the standard 8 weeks down to 7.5 weeks.
Trainees and staff are required to socially distance and wear masks when possible.
This precaution to ensure the efficient and safe training of the next generation of Air Force members means that all graduation ceremonies are being conducted with safe distancing protocols.
For the most recent information on graduation, visit the Air Force’s site.
It may also be a good idea to check in with your trainee to see if they have been given more specific information to relay to friends and family members.
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What day of the week / time of the day is Air Force basic training graduation?
Unlike some other branches where the graduation event is just one day, the Air Force Graduation ceremony lasts two days.
During this exciting time, friends and family members are exposed to a wide array of traditions and experiences that will expose them to what the Air Force is all about.
Under normal circumstances, graduation kicks off on a Wednesday morning with events taking place every day through Thursday to make sure there is enough time to experience the entire event.
The main graduation parade takes place on Thursday, but many ceremonies like the Airman’s Coin Ceremony take place on Wednesday to uphold the Air Force traditions.
It is always great to get there for both days to make sure your trainee has their family with them throughout the event, but there can often be accommodations made if circumstances prohibit you from attending both days.
How do I get onto the base at Lackland Air Force Base?
Getting onto any military base requires action to be taken well before a family member steps foot on the base.
For events like graduation, a trainee will be required to fill out special passes detailing who they want to let onto the base for their graduation ceremony.
Trainees will fill out these forms and have them mailed to any guests they wish to come to their graduation that will arrive before the date of the ceremony.
If you do not get these passes or do not present them upon arrival at the base, there is almost no way that you will be granted access to any of the base’s facilities.
When you arrive with your access pass, you will be asked for that and some vehicle information before you are issued a guest pass that will allow you to enter on to the base itself.
Air Force Basic Training Graduation Dress Code
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Similar to the other branches, there is no specific dress code for guests who are coming to view a graduation ceremony.
The trainees will be wearing their dress uniforms, so it may be respectful to honor their hard work and dedication with slightly nice clothing.
This ceremony also takes place outside in Texas, so prepare for the heat with what you wear. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Who can come to Air Force BMT graduation?
The rules for Air Force graduation state that each trainee is currently allowed to invite up to 6 friends or family to their graduation event.
In the past, graduates were allowed 10 guests and we will do our best to update our page should the Air Force conduct ceremonies at full capacity again.
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Graduation Schedule
The current graduation schedule is as follows:
Wednesday
- 6:00 a.m. – Pfingston Reception Center opens
- 7:30 a.m. – Airman’s Run
- 8:00 a.m. – Welcome Briefing
- 8:45 a.m. – New spouse orientation
- 9:00 a.m. – Events Briefing repeated
- 10:00 a.m. – Airman’s Coin Ceremony
- 10:30 a.m. – Town Pass
- 8:00 p.m. – Airmen due back at squadron
Thursday
- 6:00 a.m. – Pfingston Reception Center opens
- 7:30 a.m. – Buses for handicapped visitors begin for travel to parade ground
- 9:00 a.m. – Graduation Parade
- 9:30 a.m. – On-Base Liberty
- 6:00 p.m. – Airmen due back at squadron
Where can I watch a live stream of the graduation?
The graduation live stream has been discontinued. However, another way to participate in the graduation ceremonies is to watch the recorded version.
Recordings of graduation events can be found on Facebook and graduation ceremony recordings on YouTube.
Conclusion
No matter how you want to support your trainee, their graduation ceremony is always going to go down as a very memorable event in their career.
Restrictions due to Covid have eased, but some limitations still exist. If you can’t support your loved one in person, there’s always the option to view via the livestream.
References
www.Af.mil
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