Graduation Week Information
Graduation week is the highlight of the time spent at OTS. It is the culmination of months of hard work and determination. Because being commissioned as an Air Force officer is a once in a lifetime event, the events during Graduation Week are special for our Officer Trainees (OT), as well as their family and friends.
The Family Orientation is designed to provide spouses, fiancés, and their dependents with insight into life of an Air Force Officer's family. Great for separating myth from reality and getting advice from someone who's "been there and done that".
The program provides new officer spouses and fiancés with an introduction to Air Force family life and is a springboard to the Air Force’s Hearts Link Program. Family Orientation started with a welcome from the 24th Training Squadron Commander (24 TRS/CC). After the 24 TRS/CC welcome, guest speakers will come from the Airmen and Family Readiness Center (AFRC) to talk about all the wonderful services the AFRC on all US Air Force Bases provide to the military family, from the Maxwell AFB Child Development Center (CDC) to talk about the general child care opportunities provided for on the majority of US Air Force Bases, and from the Tri Care office to provide a introduction to the Military's health care system. After our guest speakers, a Spouses Panel made up of officer spouses welcome the new spouses to the Air Force Family and answer any questions they may have. The panel will be made of ladies and gentlemen with a wide range of experience from a Captain's spouse with no kids and 5 years of experience to a General's or Colonel's spouse with 20+ years of experience in the US Air Force and who has had multiple kids.
This event is for the OT’s immediate family (dependents) or future spouses/dependents; however, extended family and friends can attend, just know that the information is mainly for the spouses or soon to be spouses of the new officers. Child care will NOT be provided on the OTS campus during Spouses Orientation, rather you canbring your children to the family day event with you. If you would like to attend, please inform your spouse as you get closer to graduation week and you will receive a personal invitation from the the 24 Training Squadron Commander.
Prior enlisted spouses are encouraged to attend not only to gain knowledge of the officer life but also to share their knowledge of the Air Force.
This will also be a great time for you to network with spouses who will be going to the same base as you.
Please plan on a full morning or afternoon (2-3 hrs) of events. We recommend you eat before the orientation as snacks and beverages are provided but not a meal.
The Open House gives family and friends a look at what their OT went through where they've been for the last three months.
The OTS Open House provides an opportunity for family and friends to see what their OT has been doing during their time in training as well as what we've done to take care of them and turn them into Air Force Officers.
The Open House is on the day before graduation and begins with an orientation in our main auditorium (Boyd). Here the commander and staff speak about the accomplishments of the trainees and provide demonstrations of the traditions and procedures the trainees have had to practice during their time here.
After the orientation, the OTs are then able to give their family and friends a personal tour of our world class campus. You'll get the opportunity to visit their Flight Commander and see all the places you only heard of in letters home.
The OT Wing Awards Ceremony is also part of the Open House events. Please join all us in the main auditorium (Boyd) as we celebrate all the accomplishments that your OTs have made while at OTS.
The Commissioning Ceremony is where it all happens. Family and friends are welcome to come witness their OT become an officer in the United States Air Force.
The Commissioning Ceremony is the highlight of the time spent here at OTS. Every trainees goal is to be commissioned as an Officer in the United States Air Force, and this is when that happens.
Every flight (11-16 people) has its own commissioning ceremony, and every OT is commissioned individually. The Oath of Office can be administered by any active duty, retired, Reserve or National Guard officers. It can also be administered by certain civil officer who are authorized by federal or local laws to administer oaths.
If you have a family member or friend who meets one of these descriptions, you may choose for them to commission you. If not, your Flight Commander will be happy to do the honors.
After the oath is administered, anybody of your choosing will then pin on the gold bars. This is often done by family members, children or friends.
After being pinned on, some new officers perform the traditional "first salute". It is a tradition to give a silver dollar to the first enlisted person to salute you. Some ask enlisted or formerly enlisted friends or family members to come forward and render the first salute. This is one of the ceremonies most moving traditions.
Because being commissioned as an Air Force Officer is a once in a lifetime event, we welcome all guests, as well as children. We ask guests to feel free to take pictures or video.
The Graduation Parade is the final event at OTS as the training is officially completed with a spectacular military parade.
The Graduation Parade is the last ceremony during graduation week. It not only showcases the transition from OT to Officer, it signifies the end of training.
The parade takes place on graduation day at 1000 hrs (10:00AM). The parade ground is located on the OTS complex and we ask that family and friends arrive early to ensure seating. Parking is available behind the OTS complex and is within easy walking distance to both the parade ground and the dormitories.
Lodging and Travel Information
When it comes time for you to come see your loved one graduate and commission in the United States Air Force, please visit the Family and Friends of Officer Trainees page for lodging and travel information.
The Commissioning Ceremony is the highlight of the time spent here at OTS. Every trainees goal is to be commissioned as an Officer in the United States Air Force, and this is when that happens.
The parade takes place on graduation day at 1000 hrs (10:00AM). The parade ground is located on the OTS complex and we ask that family and friends arrive early to ensure seating. Parking is available behind the OTS complex and is within easy walking distance to both the parade ground and the dormitories.