military basic training boot camp graduation air force USAF visiting attend ceremony military lackla
The visit to the dorm reinforce that even though they have gone through the graduation ceremony, they are still in basic training, and will be until they outprocess. When we left the bay and went back down the flight of stairs (much easier going down, I think the exercise of going up got me a little bit back into shape), there was a T.I. waiting there, sending recruits back up to fix their "scuffed shoes." My daughters noticed this before we even left the doorway of the building, and scurried back up the stairs without being told (they learned much during their six weeks).
Before we could get on with our day, there was some "running around" to do. My daughters needed to pick up some uniforms from the cleaners, and had to get some items from military clothing sales (One of them needed to buy an Honor Graduate Ribbon!). Be prepared to do this, as most places they may need to go (officially) are closed on Sundays, and some of the official offices, such as finance or personnel will be closed on Saturday, as well.
During our trip, there was only one authorized off-base pass, which occurred on Saturday. However, effective June 2004, the Air Force has changed their basic training pass procedures. The pass following the graduation parade on Friday is now an off-base pass, as is the pass on Saturday following graduation. Winners of the Thunderbolt and Warhawk awards, as well as honor graduates get an off-base pass on Sunday, as well. Others receive an on-base pass on Sunday.
If you elect to stay on base during the pass-periods, there are plenty of places to visit on Lackland, including the BX, Commissary, Bowling Center, parks, eating establishments, etc., during the on-base pass on Friday, but they will all be crowded with new graduates and their families.
If you've never seen a military commissary or BX, this will be your chance. You can enter these facilities with "your recruit," but you will not be able to purchase anything, unless you have a military ID card ("your recruit" can purchase for you, however).
We spent our time during the day eating (well, my daughters were eating, anyway), at almost every eating place on base -- and there are several of them, including the AAFES Snack Bar, the BX Food Court, Bowling Center, Gateway Club, Mitchell Hall, Smokin' Joe's BBQ, Arnold Hall, Burger King, Golf Course and various other concessions throughout the base. You will not believe how much your loved one wants (or needs) to eat (I'm still shaking my head over this, a full week later).
Again, you have to make sure you return them by 19:30, as they must walk back and be inside the dormitory no later than 2000.
Saturday : Saturday, the recruits are released at about 0900, and should arrive at the Reception Center shortly after. There is no need to arrive early on this day. The parking lot which was blocked off for the Retreat Ceremony on Thursday and used for the busses on Friday, should now be open, which allows much more parking space. Consider using this parking lot. While parked there, I noticed several people still parking blocks away, when they noted the other two parking lots were full.
Saturday's visit, like Friday is an "off base" pass. You can take your loved one anywhere downtown San Antonio. Again, you must return them to the Reception Center (or one of the other designated drop-off points) by 19:30. I won't go over all that's available to visit in San Antonio, as there are many attractions and they are available on the Internet, and in various guide books. Many people in my daughters' flight planned to spend the day at Sea World, or Fiesta Texas (Six Flags). Because I spoiled by daughters rotten when they were kids, they had already visited these attractions before, and had no desire to stand in lines on a busy Saturday. Instead, we visited the River Walk briefly, and then they wanted to explore a mall (and pretend they were teenagers again). After the mall, we went to our hotel room, where they indulged themselves in a long, hot, PRIVATE shower (no privacy in basic), and watched a pay-per-view movie (and, of course, ate constantly throughout the day).
Sunday : If you elect to stay Sunday (we didn't), it will be an ON BASE pass, unless your recruit is an honor graduate, or a winner of the Thunderbolt or Warhawk awards. The recruits will be released to walk to the Reception Center at about 0900 and can spend the day with you until about 17:30 (5:30 PM) that evening. They must be back in their dorm by 1800 to pack up and prepare to ship out to technical school the next day.
You'll be happy to know that I spoke with both of my daughters on the phone a week after they started technical school (Air Force Job Training), and their eating habits had ALMOST returned to normal.
Before we could get on with our day, there was some "running around" to do. My daughters needed to pick up some uniforms from the cleaners, and had to get some items from military clothing sales (One of them needed to buy an Honor Graduate Ribbon!). Be prepared to do this, as most places they may need to go (officially) are closed on Sundays, and some of the official offices, such as finance or personnel will be closed on Saturday, as well.
During our trip, there was only one authorized off-base pass, which occurred on Saturday. However, effective June 2004, the Air Force has changed their basic training pass procedures. The pass following the graduation parade on Friday is now an off-base pass, as is the pass on Saturday following graduation. Winners of the Thunderbolt and Warhawk awards, as well as honor graduates get an off-base pass on Sunday, as well. Others receive an on-base pass on Sunday.
If you elect to stay on base during the pass-periods, there are plenty of places to visit on Lackland, including the BX, Commissary, Bowling Center, parks, eating establishments, etc., during the on-base pass on Friday, but they will all be crowded with new graduates and their families.
If you've never seen a military commissary or BX, this will be your chance. You can enter these facilities with "your recruit," but you will not be able to purchase anything, unless you have a military ID card ("your recruit" can purchase for you, however).
We spent our time during the day eating (well, my daughters were eating, anyway), at almost every eating place on base -- and there are several of them, including the AAFES Snack Bar, the BX Food Court, Bowling Center, Gateway Club, Mitchell Hall, Smokin' Joe's BBQ, Arnold Hall, Burger King, Golf Course and various other concessions throughout the base. You will not believe how much your loved one wants (or needs) to eat (I'm still shaking my head over this, a full week later).
Again, you have to make sure you return them by 19:30, as they must walk back and be inside the dormitory no later than 2000.
Saturday : Saturday, the recruits are released at about 0900, and should arrive at the Reception Center shortly after. There is no need to arrive early on this day. The parking lot which was blocked off for the Retreat Ceremony on Thursday and used for the busses on Friday, should now be open, which allows much more parking space. Consider using this parking lot. While parked there, I noticed several people still parking blocks away, when they noted the other two parking lots were full.
Saturday's visit, like Friday is an "off base" pass. You can take your loved one anywhere downtown San Antonio. Again, you must return them to the Reception Center (or one of the other designated drop-off points) by 19:30. I won't go over all that's available to visit in San Antonio, as there are many attractions and they are available on the Internet, and in various guide books. Many people in my daughters' flight planned to spend the day at Sea World, or Fiesta Texas (Six Flags). Because I spoiled by daughters rotten when they were kids, they had already visited these attractions before, and had no desire to stand in lines on a busy Saturday. Instead, we visited the River Walk briefly, and then they wanted to explore a mall (and pretend they were teenagers again). After the mall, we went to our hotel room, where they indulged themselves in a long, hot, PRIVATE shower (no privacy in basic), and watched a pay-per-view movie (and, of course, ate constantly throughout the day).
Sunday : If you elect to stay Sunday (we didn't), it will be an ON BASE pass, unless your recruit is an honor graduate, or a winner of the Thunderbolt or Warhawk awards. The recruits will be released to walk to the Reception Center at about 0900 and can spend the day with you until about 17:30 (5:30 PM) that evening. They must be back in their dorm by 1800 to pack up and prepare to ship out to technical school the next day.
You'll be happy to know that I spoke with both of my daughters on the phone a week after they started technical school (Air Force Job Training), and their eating habits had ALMOST returned to normal.
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