Lackland Air Force Base

We were here for a Basic Military Training graduation. The facilities were top rate, the Airmen & Airwomen we spoke to were helpful and courteous. We went to the Base Exchange (BX) for lunch — they have a decent food court and a Starbucks.

Attended for BMT graduation. The briefing for families/​friends during BMT graduation was informative — be sure to pay attention to all instructions about conduct and courtesies while on basis. Take advantage of offers for discounts by local attractions, too. As first-​time visitors to San Antonio, it made the trip even more wonderful!

Clean base nice military personnel at the gate an love the attractions an military history all over the base it is definitely one of my get away places I go to when I need to get away from my army life an just want to surround myself with a different kind of people gotta love my air force they take care of me through the air day an night thank you air force your service an help doesn’t go UN noticed I salute all my brothers an sisters in all military forces no matter if you’re army like ME

First time on this base. You can’t really give a bad review here this place is huge!!! Never been to an Air Force base usually just camp bullies. The attractions are great and the base is clean. Entrance personnel were attentive.

We are here for a BMT graduation and every person that we have encountered has been more than hospitable. We couldn’t be more happy with how well everything is organized for the events. Each airman has been more than kind and gracious and even offered to help assist my injured mother by pushing her wheelchair around. What more can I say? This place is pretty amazing. No complaints here.

I work on base a few times each week; I purposely do not schedule anything for Thursday’s or Friday’s due to retreat and graduation because it can be a mess! Lots of families and plenty of cones blocking turn lanes. Plan your trips to base wisely and you’ll be fine.
Streets are easy to navigate and buildings are easy to find, use the big signs — they’ll get you to where you need to go.
Just be careful when driving near the school at release times — so many kids running in front of cars and not using cross walks. Very dangerous.

Friendly staff and easy to navigate around. Multiple entrance gates keep things moving at a good pace and lots of directional signs to guide you in the right direction.
Poorly lit at night, inadequate parking, lots of run down facilities and roadways. Not enough food options.
Base is going through an overhaul and should be on point in the near future. I hate that there is a Starbucks in the bx — wish they could have opened up to a local coffee shop.
All in all, regardless of the flaws, this place turns out some top notch Airmen. Priorities are obviously where they should be.

…Basic Training.
8 weeks of excellence! Nothing to complain about.

We came here for our son’s BMT graduation. Although the base is a little tough to navigate based on some streets and gates being closed or blocked off, they do a good job of getting you around and through the graduation process. Show up early and be ready to wait in certain situations. We arrived early the first day and sat through the first orientation which was informative but if you do your research ahead of time online, you can skip this process altogether. The Airmen run is cool and make sure you get a good spot on the street for viewing that. Once that is over, get to the bleacher stands and grab a seat, they fill up fast.
Base liberty is boring other than being able spend the afternoon with your new Airman. The next day we arrived early for the graduation buses to take us to the parade field. I would recommend to drive to the parade field as they seating fills up fast and there is plenty of parking over there. You just have to know where to go. We saw a few smart families do this while we all waited in line for the buses there and back to the reception center.
The staff were all friendly and informative. Overall, the Air Force has a great operation. Again, research online all about graduation and take notes.

I served at Lackland for both my BMT (Basic) and MedLab Ph2 tech school.
Basic training — how can I describe it? At it’s best, it teaches young people how to follow orders and learn discipline, useful things for anyone trying to survive in a tough world.
The worst? Having a psychotic, alcoholic senior TI with a chip on his shoulder against the whole world, looking for ways to vent on young troops. While this was not the typical experience, WE had to live through it. We heard the stories about other guys that couldn’t hack it climbing into their cots after lights out and slitting their wrists, with the discovery being made by the dorm guards patrolling the barracks, sometimes slipping in the pool of blood that would collect alongside their cot.
This experience made me a stronger man, and taught me not to judge the content of a persons heart by what they looked like on the outside of their body. Tough street kids from the Bronx were known to save moths from death and free them out an open window. Many other from across the country came from broken homes and from less affluent families. Regardless, we all pulled together and helped each other survive it.
You who served with me, you are my brothers. You are in my heart eternally, and we shall someday meet again. Comrades in arms forever!
«We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be never so vile. This day shall gentle his condition. And gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.» — William Shakespeare

I give Lackland Air Force Base FIVE STARS because the place is truly amazing! I was born and raised in New York City, where people are not too friendly, and don’t always have the time to smile, greed you, or even acknowledge you. The people in Lackland Air Force Base are the exact opposite. I came here a few days after getting surgery on my foot, and I can truly say that I was never uncomfortable. I was given the best seats, and was treated with so much respect. The environment and the airmen’s new attitudes towards life and others seems to rub off; I am telling you, even the families of the airmen were on their best behaviors! I learned to have a new attitude towards airmen and others who serve our country… thank you!
My brother becoming an airman was probably one of the best things that he could have ever done… he is a changed man, and even though I miss him every single minute that passes, I know he is happy with what he is doing. He has shared so many stories about how the Air Force has changed him and done good for him! Also, due to the fact that I had surgery, I was resting, and I saw a group of new comers, future airmen, and how fast the training begins, and how tuff it really is; You really have to be mentally prepared for it… It’s something that those individuals must really have a heart for!
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, YOU WERE GREAT TO ME!
[I came here at the end of May and stayed through early June 2013].

It was nice experience, since we were there for daughters graduation. The base itself is humongous, you get lost easy. There was some construction in some places.
Exchange (BX) was ok, although the cashiers were dry & forcing the greetings/​friendliness.
Food court was limited in selection & knowing it’s Texas & Mexican food differs sometimes. Not knocking it, just had other preferences.
Other than that was just that, a nice experience, nothing to brag about.

Came here to watch my boyfriend graduate from bmt and although my experience was great I rated it a four because I wish they would bring the graduates a little closer to the crowd. Yes, I get that there is a big crowd but unless we have a camera with a 20 time zoom we won’t be able to see our graduate until the bomb run. That’s the only thing I would rate a four. Overall, my excellence with everyone, families graduates and the over all atmosphere is priceless. So yes the graduation part is a for the rest because of family and seeing my boyfriend I rate it a five.

I seriously don’t see myself living in Texas. Took a trip for my cousins graduation. The locals were super friendly.

My boyfriend planned a surprise visit for me to San Antonio. He’s currently in the military and use to work on LAFB as an MP.
When we arrived at LAFB, the room he had reserved was not available, so the gentleman @ the front desk got us in the Texan Suite.
WOWZERS!!! This place is awesome. It felt so homey with the living area, kitchenette and full bath. it felt great, like a lil home away from home.

Writing this for families who will be attending graduation ceremonies at the base who are completely brand spanking new to this world. Yes, there are some of us walking into this, knowing nothing about what to expect besides the glossy photos in the generic brochure sent to us in the email before graduation.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure about how I would feel about coming to a Texas and a military base to boot. Banana, Beaches, Bases anyone? I blame the media’s portrayal of the state as … how most people in the «liberal» East Coast view them. Makes me realize my own bias and that generalizations of an entire population can run both ways. Side rant but I blame the media and their lazy oversimplification. To say the least, I was taken aback by how friendly, warm, honest the people I met were and the welcoming spirit was pleasant and completely unexpected.
The whole bleacher culture during the graduation ceremonies was a novel experience. The overall festive atmosphere where families broke out in their personalized tees and huge posters celebrating and recognizing their airmen was unexpected. The cameraman encouraged crowd waves among the huge bleacher blocks. It was pretty amazing to see family members who proudly represented their own colors and cheering for their graduates. Seeing grandmothers and grand pops overcoming their discomfort of merely standing up and down the hard metal bleachers during the processions was very emotional. [Lackland, please make special arrangements for these guests. they should be enjoying the experience and not worry about their seating]. The majority of the attendees seemed dressed for a football game while a few women braved wearing five inch heels (death wish to wear these in the bleachers) and survived. Chilly in the morning & hot (but surprisingly not humid) in the afternoon so bring a jacket but be ready to ditch it once the sun appears.
Please please please get a car. Otherwise you will be spending transportation costs equivalent to your flight tickets and/​or hotel stay especially if you decide to stay downtown and away from the base (which your graduate will probably prefer after spending eight weeks in basic training). At 24, now really regretting not having a driver’s license and beginning to realize the necessity of possessing one. Taxis from the Riverwalk area will run you up to 45+ but if renting a car is not an option, there are many drivers who are willing to escort you for several days at a lower fixed price without running the meter. Even within the base, a car is necessary to visit the different restaurants and shopping places. It’s not pleasant to be wander around Lackland in the blistering sun and not dressed for Texas weather.
Arrive early. Stands and seats fill early and by arriving on time or late, you’ll be left out with no idea of what’s going on. The base provides a great number of maps and schedules but you won’t have an idea until you actually arrive and see what goes on to understand what’s actually happening. Expect to wait on long lines to eat at restaurants within the base. Thursday was my first time dining at Popeye’s and to recall the long walk there and the painful wait on the line, I will never be able to muster up the courage to set foot in another one ever again (not that I regularly come across one at home anyway).
Ask questions when in doubt .at the reception center, to the numerous telephone numbers provided, the military personnel crossing your path, other families. Despite the orientation session, with hundreds of attendees, things get chaotic and misinformation is disseminated easily. Being a military base, many things remain unclear and confusing– especially regarding protocol and procedures. So it’s important to clear that up since no family member would want to jeopardize their graduate’s privileges or get them into trouble.
It’s difficult to leave this base without feeling an overwhelming sense of pride for your graduate during the ceremonies. The camaraderie and love present is unlike anything that I’ve witnessed in the past. One of my drivers told me that the current community of San Antonio was built by the military bases and the endless stream of families visiting the base each week for graduation. I’m really glad that this experience was completely unlike the one I imagined and feel fortunate I had the chance to partake in this experience.

I’ve served an entire career as a federal civilian, the last 10 being here at Lackland. For the most part, it’s a beautiful base, with a lot of great perks. I only gave it 3 stars for these reasons — The AAFES concessions are overpriced, the traffic on Thursdays and Fridays have never been able to be controlled, and after 10 years of driving onto this base every single day, you STILL don’t recognize my badge.

As a Security Forces officer, I’m constantly returning to Lackland. Not a bad base, but not the greatest base either. It has many amenities, especially if you’re here TDY, but I definitely don’t want to be stationed here. Not sure if I enjoy that BMT is absolutely everywhere. It’s certainly not like other services, such as the Army at Fort Benning, where their training areas are separate from the rest of base populace.
All in all, not bad.

I’m not in the AF, I was visiting my son who just graduated. This review is for the base itself. Everyone that I came in contact with on base was VERYYYYY respectful. The base is huge and well kept. There are many options for those who are there temporarily or longer. If I were in the service, I would definitely want to live there on a long term basis. It seems as if they have their very own world. It is as if Lackland is its own city and a great place to raise a family. It may be like that on all AFBs but hey, I’m just an overly impressed civilian, LOL! Good job airmen, keep up the great work and THANK YOU for making my boy a man, something I could never do~

Ohhhhhh Lackland.
How you and I share memories.
Memories such as Ironing boards being thrown at my head, marching 24/​7, talking through a reporting statement and eating a complete meal in less than 45 seconds, sometimes timed.
Less I forget the memories where you made me breathe in friggin tear gas, stand at attention for almost 2 hours and have me more terrified of a Senior Airman than that of the devil himself.
I’m giving you 3 stars because even though put me through all this bs, you taught me things as well. Though to be honest, I don’t fold hospital corners on my bed daily anymore or for that, ever, but, teaching me how to grow the f up was rather useful as I was a young and dumb kid.
Note to the wise who read this review… Don’t tell a TI (Training Instructor) «OK» for anything.
You’ll be over a trash can «throwing it up» for at least 15 minutes while everyone laughs at you.
Keep doing your thing Lackland, it’s helping the dumbasses of America.