Air Force Family!

Play and Stay in San Antonio! The picture here is The Hotel Contessa. A great stay in the perfect location! Huge suites that can accomodate whole families...Air Conditioned! (This is important in San Antonio)

Tip #1 Plan your trip early, but remember that any recruit can be "recycled" at anytime (that means sent back to the beginning of Boot Camp again), so purchase insurance for your trip in case you need to postpone it!

Tip #2 Let your recruit know that you will be coming to graduation. Surprises are nice, but if your recruit is "recycled"(see Tip #1), the surprise will be on you! And you want them to know to look for you at the family events during Graduation week.

Tip #3 Plan to attend the orientation that the base so kindly prepares for families of recruits. There is information there that even your recruit doesn't know. Like yes, they can leave the base on certain days(there are exceptions for disciplinary reasons). You want them to know this, and they are too busy to pay attention to the details at this point.

Tip #4 There is no PDA with your recruit. Don't know what that is? That's no Public Displays of Affection! Yes, Mom, that means you, too! There is a 5 second hug rule. That's it. No ups, no extras. And don't break this rule...the recruit can be "recycled" all the way up until they leave the base after graduation!

Tip #5 Don't plan excursions without knowing the schedule! Once you attend an orientation at Lackland, AFB, you will have a better understanding of the schedule-yours and the recruits. There will be a day away from the base for most recruits (see Tip #3 for exceptions) and there is a Seaworld nearby that gives free admission for graduates in uniform. This is a great way to spend a day with the family. However, most graduates will be happy just to be off-base and to eat civilian food for the first time in 6 weeks. Relaxing in downtown San Antonio is a great plan, too. This is why renting a car is a must!

Tip #6 Your recruit will be on the edge of his/her seat during your visit. Don't be surprised if they seem different...they are! They are now servicemen and servicewomen in the United States Air Force! They live and breathe much differently than they did the last time you were together. Patience and Understanding go a long way at Basic Training.
They will appreciate your presence, whether they seem to or not.

Tip #7 Enjoy your recruit! The next phase is Tech School. Enjoy it while it lasts!