Graduation Week Information
Graduation week is the highlight of the time spent at OTS. It is the culmination of three 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 trainees as well as their family and friends.
The Spouses Orientation is designed to provide spouses and fiancés with insight into life as an Air Force Officer's spouse. 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. The morning is started with a welcome from the Training Squadron Commander followed by a short video. With this short introduction the spouses take a windshield tour of the “typical” Air Force base with stops at a company grade officer’s (CGO – 2nd Lt through Captain) house, a base clinic, a Child Development Center (CDC), and a Family Support Center as well as travel past many typical locations such as the Base Exchange (BX) and Commissary (base grocery store). After the tour active officer spouses welcome the new spouses to the Air Force Family and answer any questions they may have.
This event is for the Officer Trainee’s spouse or fiancé only. No children or extended family will be allowed in the event or on the windshield tour. Typically the officer trainee will be available or provided the time to watch children on the OTS complex. The Training Squadron Commander mails invitations to trainee’s spouses in the last few weeks of training.
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.
Please plan on a full morning of events. We recommend you eat breakfast before the orientation as snacks and a beverage 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 for the last twelve weeks 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. 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 trainees are then able to give their family and friends a personal tour of our world class complex. 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 completes the Open House events. After you have toured the complex with your OT and meet their Flight Commander, please join all us one last time this day to celebrate all the accomplishements 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.
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. 