AFROTC Field Training Graduation

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gunnison

5-Year Member
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Nov 9, 2009
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I'm planning to attend DD graduation from FT this coming Monday, but I haven't received any details as to the time I can arrive at Maxwell, start time for the ceremony, gate to enter at, etc.

Any information that you can provide will be gratefully received.
 
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I seem to remember the parade being at around 10 for Max 4, so i assume it will be the same for Max 5.

Sooo.....Get there before 9 would be my best advice :wink:
 
Ditto to what JeRDLe said. As for arriving, there were some people in the stands around 8ish for us. The parade itself should last about 30 min. After that you will be able to meet up with DD for a couple hours. You can eat on base, see the dorms, or visit some training areas. I would suggest going to the food court on base just so DD can get off campus. My flight-mates and I had enough of that place on parade day.
 
Kevster your post made me LMAO because it is so true, but is sadder is the fact that Taco Bell, or BK just sounds so good it makes their mouth water.

I don't know about Maxwell's food court, but I assume it is like every AF base, it is attached to the BX and/or commissary. Before you ask if they want to do some shopping, understand you may not be allowed into the BX. BX's and commissaries require military i.d. Some BXs check before you enter, some don't, but all require the i.d. at the check out to purchase anything, even a pack of gum. If she has an i.d., she can escort you in, but again any purchases must be paid by them, you cannot slip money to them at the register and say it is a gift. This is a HUGE NO NO in the military world. Most BX's have little vendors outside of the BX in their mall, you can shop and purchase anywhere there without showing i.d.
 
Pima said:
Before you ask if they want to do some shopping, understand you may not be allowed into the BX. BX's and commissaries require military i.d. Some BXs check before you enter, some don't, but all require the i.d. at the check out to purchase anything, even a pack of gum. If she has an i.d., she can escort you in, but again any purchases must be paid by them, you cannot slip money to them at the register and say it is a gift. This is a HUGE NO NO in the military world. Most BX's have little vendors outside of the BX in their mall, you can shop and purchase anywhere there without showing i.d.
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Another cadet and myself went to a BX with an army captain a couple months ago and we all made separate purchases - none of us were ever asked for ID (except for the driver when going on base).

Anyway, i'll bet DD is glad to be done with FT, the food is so much better at the sit down resturants off base :biggrin:
 
All I can say is that wouldn't happen in NoVA, including driving on base. Here everyone(age appropriate) in the car must present some form of i.d just to get on base.

It may be that the bases/posts here also have a lot of civilian contractors and government employees. They are allowed to get gas, shop at the shoppette, eat at BK, etc., but they are not allowed to shop in the BX/PX/MCCS

DS only on Wed. went to MWR to buy King's Dominion tickets, and he had to show military i.d. prior to purchasing the tickets. It makes sense since the military ticket cost $32 compared to $60. Quantico is a post that you can drive on just showing your DL, thus, when you are on post the stores make sure you are military prior to purchase. SJAFB is a post that you must have someone with a military id to come on base or you have to go to the Visitor's center, thus, they are more laxed when it comes to the BX, but still as a spouse I always had to show i.d. at the BX. In my 25 yrs of using the system, maybe a dozen times or so was I not asked to show i.d. I am pretty sure that you weren't asked for i.d. because of your haircut. :shake:

I do agree off base restaurants are better, especially if there is a Schlotzkies!
 
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I appreciate all of your responses; they certainly did help. Just a couple of things to add based upon my visit to Maxwell last week. I found that these were the best directions to the base.

Also, a heads up for anyone planning to attend the graduation parade: the Maxwell Visitor's center staff require that you present driver's license, proof of insurance, and registration for your vehicle in order to be issued a pass to get on to the base. Some folks didn't have all those docs and were denied entry.

I really enjoyed my visit to Maxwell, and my daughter was delighted to see me. We had the chance to visit her quarters, and met a number of outstanding young officer candidates who were excited and proud of becoming leaders of the Air Force.
 
Very good point gunnison.

To add onto that point, you should give yourself additional time to clear through this process. Typically the base will have a visitor center prior to the gate and that is where you present the paperwork and get your day pass for your vehicle.

If they have a ton of parents entering at the same time it can create a bottle neck. When Bullet retired we had to register 8 cars for family members, start to finish it took about 30 minutes to get all 8 cars done. I use this as an example so you understand if a lot of people are coming on base it may be more than 5 minutes to go through the system. Leave time for the JIC.
 
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