Our son recently started his Air Force training. As parents what are some good tips you can give us to do and not to do. Can you give us some info about his last week in basic and what we need to prepare for. When can we expect to get letters from him? We haven't been able to talk to him since he left. I appreciate any response.

Air Force Dad & Mom

It gets a little hetic in te first weeks of basic(boot) camp, but he still should have time to write his folks or call.
If he hasn't been gone that long, you should be getting something soon in the mail. In the first few weeks the DI make the recruit write at least one card home.
Phones and down time are strictly limited in the first few weeks,(at least they were for me 30+ years ago), but then things become more routine and they will start writing/calling home more often.
Has he ever been away from home before? It just may be a new experence for him and he's caught up in it.
My daughter wasn't much for contact after she got used to the boot life when she was in the Navy, but communictions got better as time went by.
He'll be ok, just probaly caught up in it. I was just as bad, caught hell from it to.

I appreciate the time you took to respond.

I can kinda back what mech says (though I went through USMC boot). The first two to three weeks are so hectic and full of culture shock, it's hard to think of anything but the task at hand.

I went to AF boot camp about 3 years ago. You should get a call soon to let you know he is OK and to give you his mailing address.

Make sure to send him mail often and keep him up to date on what is going on back home.

I dont know what your relationship is like with your son but if you want to have some fun with him send him A LOT of photos. The TI's look through all the photos and will sometimes pass them around to all the other recruits. Its a way to bring some attention to him and usually lightens the mood at basic (Well it did for my flight)

Also, send him candy. The TI may or may not let him eat it but it usually gets a response from the TI's.

Remind him that Basic Training is nothing to stress about. Remind him to keep his wits about him. My biggest regret from Basic was taking it too seriously so when I left I didnt have any really funny stories.

What career is he going in as?

The recruiter told us not to send any pics or candy or it would just make it harder on him.

It depends on the TI's really. One guy in my flight recieved candy and was told he had one minute to run down to the break area and eat it.

As far as seeing our son graduate. When will we receive a letter about the details? This Tuesday he will be in week #3.

He's just started then AFDAD. You should have no worries. If I remember correctly usually in the second week you should get a card.
Also arrange to make sure he can call you collect. All posts have a bank of phones the recruits are allowed to use at specific times. Cells phones where not around when I was in, or as popular with my daughter time, she didn't have one when she was in, but I do not know the regs. or the status on cells when you are in boot camp.They take your civies away in (basic(boot) camp and reurn them when you leave.
If for some reason he still does not call or contact you with a certain amount of time,after week 3 or 4, the Red Cross can get a hold of him to check and make him write home.
Remember though, he'll be run ragged during his basic(boot) time due to all the testing and instruction he will be receiving. The hours are long and the pressure is on at all times to maintain.

quote:

Originally posted by AFDAD:
As far as seeing our son graduate. When will we receive a letter about the details? This Tuesday he will be in week #3.

I cant remember what week it was but if I remember correctly the parents receive a sort of package detailing everything. My parents didnt go because they were still in the UK.

If you are looking for just general information about basic training than you should be able to call Lackland AFB and they will let you know. They wont be able to tell you anything about your son but I am sure if you ask about the graduation than they will tell you.

What careerfield is your son going in as?

We received his address finally. Thanks for all your help. We wrote him and mailed it out immediately. We got a letter from the air force but no letter from our son which is no problem. At least we can write him now. They gave us a graduation date. There is one motel listed only 50 yards from the AF Base. Where should we stay? Can you give some advice about how to prepare and maximize our time with our son. We get to spend about 5 1/2 hours with him on a town pass. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Our son is going to be working on aircrafts is all we know.

Personally I'd stay farther away from the base, most places by the gates are more expensive around graduation time.This would be for your stay, for he will not have all tht much time after the grad. ceremony. It basically depends on where he is, I know practiaclly zip about Air Bases.
It also depends on transportation, you driving, car rental, your expenses, etc.
You really don't get much time after graduation to spend with him before they ship him off to the next school, so your time downtown will be extremley limited, he cannot miss his departure time, so disappering far after a graduation should be a no no. Let him take you for a tour of the base, se how he feels about that. Take him out to eat etc. Check the internet for places near by.
As time goes on, you should recieve more information and very possibly from you son.
Good luck to him, I hope it all works out.

We are planning on staying outside the main gate at Lackland Air Force Base. We are trying to decide how long to stay. It says that are having a 2.5 mile run on Thursday 9:00 am. and after the retreat Airman are due back by 7:30 pm. Friday is the graduation at 9:00 am. town pass from 2:00-7:30 pm. Saturday town pass is from 9:00am-7:30pm Sunday, Airman released for base liberty. What is something we could do together Saturday that is fun in the area? What are some of the do's and dont's? Again, thanks for helping us get ready for our sons's graduation.

Well, I went to Six Flags on my town pass with some friends. I know some other people who just went back to their parents hotel, watched TV, ate junk food and drank a beer or two.

I think the Alamo is nearby. There is also a place but I cant remember the name for sure, something like The Boardwalk. I didnt go but I heard those that did had a good time.

Your son is probably going to have a lot of stories to tell you and you are probably gonna wanna know what the training was like etc so try and pick a place where you can talk.

Also, your son is going to get briefed on this everywhere he goes but I cannot stress this enough. At alomst EVERY Air Force base in the US, just outside the gates are usually a lot of payday loan places and car dealerships etc. Please advise your son to not use those places at all, ever. There was a young airman on my base who just recently took out a payday loan and is going to be paying for it big time in terms of credit score and money out of pocket. It can also get you in trouble with your bosses if you cant pay your bills. Just make sure that he is aware that just because the businesses may welcome military members they are not military friendly.

The day before graduation, I think, all of the trainees run a certain distance and along that road the parents will be allowed to stand, watch, wave etc. You wont be able to meet with your son at this time. Then that evening they have another ceremony, where they announce award winners and have other events. Again, no meeting. Then the next morning you will be at the Parade Grounds, in the stands, the trainees will march up in formation in the field. There will be speeches, possibly a fly-over, and then they will announce which formation is which squadron and flight. Once that is all over you will be allowed to leave the stands and meet your son. From there, I think base liberty started. Your son will probably take you to his dorms, show you his wall locker and bed and how neat and perfect everything is. Then you can go and buy souvenirs etc and walk around the base. The next day is his town pass and you will be allowed to pick him up in the morning from a certain location ( cant remember where but you will be told) and then you can go do whatever you want. Just make sure he is back on time.

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I think the Alamo is nearby. There is also a place but I cant remember the name for sure, something like The Boardwalk. I didnt go but I heard those that did had a good time.

It's the Riverwalk. And, yeah, it's kinda cool. I HATE Texas, but I did enjoy the Riverwalk.

http://www.riverwalkguide.com/

Some great info. Thx.

We are staying on Hwy. 90 can you enter the base from Hwy 90? Which is the best way to enter?

I just did a google map search of Lackland AFB and Highway 90 run right outside the base so it will most certainly be sign posted to let you know what exit etc to take.

I just looked at the Lackland from an overhead satillite and found the base and all roads. I believe we have it down now. I found the mall, airport, AF Base, our motel, six flags, riverwalk. I appreciate all your help. We are really looking forward to having a great weekend with our son. I will tell him about this site and what a great help it was having you guys help us with our questions. Maybe this thread may help future Air Force parents. I will post some of our experiences on this thread when we get back.

God Bless!

i know when i graduated i went to Hooters in my blues and thought I was the heat until a few years later i looked at my pictures and wondered what I was thinking