Frequently Asked Questions
Answers sourced from official JBSA-Lackland guidance, basictraining.af.mil, and direct hotel outreach. If something looks off, email us.
Which gate should I use for BMT graduation at JBSA-Lackland?
Luke East Gate is the official primary entrance for BMT graduation, open 24/7 with a 24/7 visitor center for Visitor Access Passes (issue/reprint). Valley Hi Gate is also open 24/7 and is closest to the hotel cluster; use it when every adult already has their pass. Real ID or passport required for every adult either way.
What are the hours for the Luke East Gate visitor center?
Luke East gate and its visitor center run 24/7, including weekends and federal holidays; visitor center is Bldg 1196, 2602 Luke Blvd (210-671-6174). Arrive with time to spare on graduation mornings; pass lines are longest 6–8 AM. Lost or never received your pass? Call ahead, reprint availability varies, and Wednesday is the officially recommended day to reprint before Thursday's tighter schedule.
When is Valley Hi Gate open for visitors?
Valley Hi Gate is open 24/7. Its own pass desk keeps weekday business hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed federal holidays and AETC Resiliency Days. Most families arrive around 6:00 AM on graduation day, before the desk opens, so get or reprint your Visitor Access Pass at Luke East Gate's 24/7 visitor center instead, then use Valley Hi once every adult already has their pass in hand.
Where do I park for BMT graduation at Lackland?
After entering through Luke East or Valley Hi Gate, head to the Pfingston Reception Center. There are three parking areas: Lot A is closest to the Reception Center entrance and fills first (arrive before 7 AM for this lot), Lot B is overflow and about a 5 minute walk, and the Parade Grounds lot is Thursday only with limited spaces. Staff will direct you on arrival. The Reception Center opens at 6:00 AM on graduation days.
What ID do I need to enter JBSA-Lackland for graduation?
All visitors 18+ need a valid photo ID. A passport or Real ID (gold star on your license) gets you through fastest. A regular driver's license still works, but you'll go through extra processing at the visitor center, which takes longer. Minors don't need ID if accompanied by an adult.
What is the VARL for BMT graduation?
VARL stands for Visitor Access Request List. Your Airman fills it out with their recruiter during the enlistment process, it's turned in to MEPS, which sends it along to BMT for the trainee to submit when they arrive. Everyone on the list gets a criminal background check against a Negative Fitness Matrix of disqualifying offenses. Once cleared, physical visitor passes are mailed out, typically around the third week of training.
When is the VARL submitted, and can I still be added?
The VARL is submitted during your Airman's Zero Week at BMT, the same list they started with their recruiter at MEPS. Once it's submitted, names cannot be added or changed, and passes are non-transferable between visitors. If you need to be on the list, tell your Airman before they leave for BMT so they can include you from the start.
What if I wasn't added to my Airman's VARL?
Once the VARL is submitted, names cannot be added or changed, so a family member left off the list can't be added after the fact, and passes are non-transferable, so you can't use someone else's. Talk to your Airman about who is on the list. Family members with their own DoD-issued ID (CAC or military, dependent, or retiree card) can still enter independently without a visitor pass either way.
What ID do I need with my VARL visitor pass?
Bring both your mailed visitor pass and a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport (or another federally accepted alternative) to the gate. Visitors with their own DoD-issued ID (military, dependent, or retiree card, or a DoD civilian or contractor CAC, including Coast Guard CACs) don't need a VARL pass at all and can enter independently. A PIV badge from a non-DoD federal agency doesn't count; stay on the VARL if that's what you carry.
Do federal CAC or PIV cards count as a DoD ID for base access?
It depends on which card you carry. A CAC issued through the DoD's ID system counts, and that includes Coast Guard CACs even though the Coast Guard sits under DHS; gate scanners read them like any other CAC. JBSA's published valid-ID list covers military IDs (active, reserve, guard, dependent, retiree), DoD civilian cards, contractor cards, and the VA's Veterans Health ID Card (VHIC). A PIV badge from a non-DoD federal agency (DHS, VA, or any other) is not on that list, so on its own it won't get you through the gate; plan on the VARL visitor pass like any other guest. If you're unsure which card you hold and your Airman hasn't left for BMT yet, ask them to add you to the VARL as a safety net, it costs nothing and the list locks for good once they submit it during Zero Week. If Zero Week has already passed, the list can't be reopened, so your card either clears the gate on its own or it doesn't. The Lackland Visitor Control Center (lackland.vrc@us.af.mil) is the final word on edge cases.
How do I get from San Antonio airport to JBSA-Lackland?
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is about 15 to 20 minutes from JBSA-Lackland via US-90 West. A rental car is your best bet since rideshares can't drive on base. If someone's dropping you off, they can only take you to the gate entrance.
Is there a rental car office on JBSA-Lackland?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has a location on JBSA-Lackland (building 1646). Hours are limited and it's mostly for active duty and DoD personnel. Most families pick up and return at San Antonio Airport (SAT) instead, which has all major rental companies and is about 15 minutes from the base.
Based on JBSA-Lackland gate operations and base access policy (opens in new tab).