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Graduation Dates

The Graduation Parade Ceremony is always held on Friday morning at 9:00 am at the Parade field. Your last opportunity to attend the events briefing at the Reception Center is on Friday at 7:15 am in the Auditorium. Busses will take you to the Parade field from the Reception Center starting at 7:30 am. Plan to arrive at Lackland AFB on Friday morning between 6:15 am - 6:45 am as the lines into the base can be long and slow --- and have your ID and proof of insurance with you.

Trainees may leave the base after 2pm on Friday and at 9am on Saturday for Town Pass.

Calculating the exact date of graduation is extremely easy!

1. This formula does not change. Perform your calculations exactly as shown below.
2. The date you arrive at will be very exact and accurate.
3. There may be a Federal Holiday or two during your Airman's training. If a Federal Holiday falls during the 6th week of training, the Retreat Ceremony will be canceled for that week of training.
4. The Graduation Ceremony (a.k.a. the Parade Ceremony) will be conducted regardless, and it is ALWAYS held on the Friday of the 6th week of training.
5. Training officially begins on Monday in the next week after arrival.
6. Basic Training will ALWAYS last for 8 weeks, from start to finish. 8 weeks is 8 weeks regardless!
7. Trainees usually arrive on Lackland on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. If a trainee arrives on Friday night, or anytime on Saturday or Sunday, they will be held over for one additional week and will join the next incoming flight of trainees.

1. Arrived on 17 October
2. Started training on 22 October
3. Training Lasts for 8 weeks
4. Graduation is always on a Friday

So, here is how the calculations would look:

Zero Week (processing):

Initial Physical Fitness Evaluation
Immunizations
Drug Testing
Uniform Issue I
Haircuts
Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) Briefing


First Week of Training

Weapons Issue (m-16)
M-16 breakdown & Assembly
Dress & Appearance
Rank Recognition
Law of Armed Conflict
Human Relations
Nutrition & Fitness
Rendering Courtesies
Records ID Processing


Second Week of Training

Weapons Cleaning
Weapons Handling & Maintenance
Temper Tents
Tactical Movements
Challenge Procedures
Integrated Defense
Career Guidance


Third Week of Training

Job Classifications Interviews
Self Aid and Buddy Care
Drill Precision


Fourth Week of Training

Haircuts
2nd Uniform Issue
BMT Obstacle Course
Chemical, Biological, Nuclear Defense Training (CBRNE Chamber Training)
Improvised Explosive Devise Familiarization
Anti Terrorist Training
Dress & Appearance II
Weapons Evaluation


Fifth Week of Training

CPR Familiarization
Build Temper Tents
M-16 Live Fire
Warrior Role
Joint Warfare
Basic Leadership
Security Programs
Mental Preparation for Combat
Pugil Stick Fighting
Intro to Code of Conduct
AEF Predeployment Preparation
Written Test I


Sixth Week of Training

Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills Training (BEAST)
Deployment Briefing
Equipment Issue
Camp Set Up
Field Training Exercise
Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE)


Seventh Week of Training

Final Physical Fitness Evaluation
Combat Stress Recovery
Financial Management
Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
Joint Ethics
Military Citizenship
Air Force History
Air Force Organization
M9 Weapon Live Fire
Written Test II


Eighth Week of Training

Core Values Briefing
Technical School Briefing
Hair Cuts
Airman's Run
Airman's Coin Ceremony
Retreat
Honor Graduate Ceremony
Parade Graduation
Open House
Town Pass

Please!...don't listen to rumors and the vast quantities of misinformation that is rampant! The information I have cited above is correct and 100% accurate! All you need to know is the exact date that your Trainee arrived on Lackland AFB and follow these simple instructions.

For more information about Graduation Schedules and Events, visit our Visiting your Trainee page.