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BMT expands graduation events, returns to parade grounds

  • Published
  • 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas-- Beginning June 8-9, Basic Military Training graduation events will expand to two days and include the return of the traditional military parade at the Gateway Wing parade grounds.

Following the recent announcement that proof of COVID vaccination was no longer required to enter BMT ceremonies, today’s news release reflects the improved current health protection conditions within the local San Antonio area that have contributed to making changes.

The 433rd Training Squadron will be the first to execute the two-day graduation events on Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9. (The Airmen who graduate on those dates will begin their BMT on Tuesday, April 19.)

The following conditions will apply beginning with the June 8-9 BMT graduation events:

*Any individual with installation access may attend the graduation events.

*Guests who do not already have access to the installation must be invited by their trainee and vetted to receive an installation pass.

*Trainees can invite six guests who require installation access.

*Those under the age of 18 may accompany parents/guardians and are not required to have a separate installation access pass.

Day One of the graduation events will start with the Airman’s Run, followed by the Airman’s Coining Ceremony and culminate with on- or off-installation liberty. Day Two will be the BMT Graduation Parade followed by on- or off-installation liberty. Graduates will continue to ship to their respective technical training locations on Fridays.

“Thanks to the tremendous support of our Joint Base San Antonio mission partners, we have been able to gradually open up our graduations to an increased number of visitors, as well as return to the parade grounds,” said Col. Rockie Wilson, 37th Training Wing commander. “We have fought hard for the past two years to keep our trainees, our staff and our community safe, and to ensure the basic training mission never missed a beat. The return of two-day graduations is an exciting moment for these graduates and their families.”

As a reminder, installation access is determined by the installation commander and Security Forces vetting procedures. Those guests invited by their trainee through the formal invitation process will be pre-vetted and will receive their installation pass in advance of graduation activities. Security Forces will not process or issue additional or same-day visitor passes for graduation ceremony attendance. Personnel with authorized Department of Defense credentials allowing escort privileges may escort up to five non-DoD credentialed personnel in their same vehicle without a pass being issued. Escorts are required to remain with, and maintain control of, their visitors at all times while on the installation.

BMT graduations opened up to a limited number of visitors in July 2021, the Airman’s Run returned in November 2021, and proof of COVID vaccination was no longer required as of this month. The current graduation schedule is as follows.           

Wednesday, (DATE #1)

6:00 AM

Pfingston Reception Center Opens

7:30 AM

Airman’s Run

8:00 AM

Events Briefing

8:45 AM

New Spouse Orientation

9:00 AM

Events Briefing (same as 8:00 AM)

10:00 AM

Airman’s Coin Ceremony

10:30 AM

On/Off Base Liberty (TBD)

8:00 PM

Airman are due back to Training Squadron

 

 

 

Thursday, (DATE #2)

6:00 AM

Pfingston Reception Center Opens

7:30 AM

Buses for handicapped visitors begin to depart from Pfingston

Reception Center to Parade Grounds (last departure at 0830)

9:00 AM

Graduation Parade

9:30 AM

On/Off Base Liberty (TBD)

6:00 PM

Airman are due back to Training Squadron

 

All events take place at the Pfingston Reception Center and the JBSA-Lackland Parade Grounds. Visitors should follow the USAF BMT Facebook page and www.basictraining.af.mil for the latest official ceremony and entrance requirements.  For more information, please email 37TRW.PA.INBOX@us.af.mil.