Air Force Basic Training Graduation: What You Need to Know
Graduating from Air Force Basic Training is a major milestone — your Airman or Guardian’s first step into their career, an incredible accomplishment, and an unforgettable moment for them and their family and friends. To help make your trip as smooth and stress-free as possible, here’s everything you need to know about attending graduation at JBSA Lackland.
Location and Travel
Where: JBSA Lackland, San Antonio, Texas
Nearest Airport: San Antonio International Airport (SAT) — approximately a 20-minute drive to the base
Getting to Graduation:
Whether you’re driving your own vehicle, renting a car, or using ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft, it’s important to review gate entry procedures and event parking ahead of time:
JBSA Lackland Graduation Parking Information
Accessing JBSA Lackland
Visitor Access Requirements:
Every guest must have a Visitor Access Request Letter (VARL) completed by the trainee for pass issuance.
Guests must present a Visitor Access Pass (VAP) and a government-issued photo ID to enter the base.
VARL Details:
Forms are provided by your trainee’s recruiter and should generally be completed before your trainee departs for Basic Military Training (BMT).
In rare cases, trainees may contact you during BMT to provide information for completing a VARL.
Once processed, VAPs are typically mailed around the third week of training.
Important Notes:
If you do not receive your VAP, contact your trainee via a Sandboxx Letter or authorized telephone call.
A valid Department of Defense (DoD) ID, such as a Common Access Card (CAC), can also provide base access, but check in advance with the visitor center to ensure your ID type is accepted.
Passes are non-transferable — each visitor must have their own VAP and photo ID.
Vehicle insurance and registration will be requested for guests arriving by car.
If you arrive without a VAP, visit the Luke East Gate Visitor Center (open 5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily). Note that the BMT Reception Center cannot verify guest lists or issue passes.
Air Force Basic Training Graduation Dress Code
Airmen and Guardians in training will wear their dress uniforms.
Guests may dress casually or in their Sunday best; there is no official dress code.
Check the weather in advance — San Antonio can be warm and occasionally rainy. Graduation ceremonies are outdoors, so bring sunscreen, an umbrella, and be prepared for all weather conditions. Ceremonies are only moved indoors during extreme weather.
How Many Can Attend Air Force Graduation
Each trainee may list up to six guests on their VARL.
Children under 18 and individuals with a DoD ID do not count toward this limit, allowing most trainees to include all of their loved ones.
Air Force Basic Training Graduation Schedule
https://www.basictraining.af.mil/Home/BMT-Graduation-Information/Schedule-of-Events
What Happens After Air Force Basic Training Graduation
All Airmen and Guardians will depart Lackland the day after graduation (usually Friday).
An Airman in the Guard or Reserve will go to Tech School when an opening is available.
Air Force Basic Training Graduation Gifts
It is not required to get your Airman a graduation gift. If you choose to gift your Airman, we encourage you to look at our basic training gift guide. Our gift guide is filled with ideas from current service members who shared the best/most practical Basic Training Graduation Gifts.
The feeling you will get when you see your New Airman for the first time will be more than you could ever imagine. It is truly a special day and time to enjoy and celebrate with your Airman and family.
Safe travels, and congratulations to you and your soon-to-be new Airman!