Family Stories

4 families have shared what graduation day was really like

Watched My Brother Graduate

Went down to watch my brother's graduation last week. Strange seeing him march around so serious when two months ago he could not even do his own laundry. Parking was rough, we ended up walking much farther than expected. It was hot too, really hot, hotter than I expected for that early. A friend of his from high school did Marine boot camp last year and said their family day was way more relaxed, less standing around. Every place near base had a line out the door after, we drove a while to find somewhere. Not sure yet if we'll make his tech school graduation too, depends on my work schedule.

Jake T.

Sibling · 323rd TRS

Jul 2, 2026

Tip

Wear comfortable shoes, there is a lot more walking than you would think.

Came down for my husband's BMT graduation, the parade was well done as well as getting to see him afterward for a few hours. Would recommend getting to base early as well as bringing cash since some of the food trucks do not take cards.

Amanda K.

Spouse · 322nd TRS

Jun 25, 2026

My Grandson's Graduation

I went through basic myself back in 1988, so a lot of it felt familiar, even if the bleachers haven't gotten any softer. Somebody at breakfast told us to get there early for decent parking, glad we listened. The sun got on us fast even in the morning, glad my daughter made me bring a hat. We were on our feet a good while before things started and my knees let me know about it. They do a coin ceremony now, we never had anything like that, my grandson seemed proud showing it to me after. My daughter kept the visitor pass for some reason and still has it stuck to the fridge.

Robert T.

Family member · 321st TRS

May 28, 2026 · Lubbock, TX

Our Trip to San Antonio

GET THERE EARLY was all anyone told us, and we still barely found parking. You need your ID out the whole time, mine was buried in my bag. We flew in the night before and barely slept. It was not a long ceremony but there's a few hundred other families doing the same thing. I wore his squadron color, red, so he'd spot me faster. When they let us go find him I was already crying, hugged him so hard my sunglasses snapped in half. We only had him a few hours before he had to pack for tech school. My sister watched our dog all week and sent a ton of pictures of him looking sad on the porch.

Sarah M.

Parent · 320th TRS

Apr 16, 2026 · Aurora, CO

Tip

Keep your ID somewhere easy to grab, you show it more than once.