We had a good experience but it could have been better. Not knowing for sure your graduate filled put the proper paperwork for tickets needs to be addressed. Our son said he was graduating on tume but we never got confirmation that the tickets would there for us. Thankfully, they were.
For those attending: 1. They open the gates at 0700 (7 AM) and the ceremony starts at 0900. We rolled in there at 0730 and honestly that was too early but it allowed us to chat with other families so that was nice. 2. Know your loved ones division. They have signs on the floor with numbers that represent the recruits division. They will line up in front of their respective division, sit there. 3. At the conclusion of the ceremony go to your loved one and let them tell you where to go. Our son had us meet him at the NEX which is across the complex (not the NEX where you get your tickets). Congratulations and enjoy the reunion.

this is a continuation from my previous post

My husband is a Navy Veteran, My Father-In-Law who is 100 is a World War II Army Veteran. My son is an Air Force Veteran and my daughter-in-law has been in the Air Force Reserves for a while now. My husband and father-in-law do not remember any terrible name calling and profanity. My son and daughter-in-law went through a much easier and respectful bootcamp. While I realize kids today are less respectful than 50 or so years ago when my husband was in the Navy and I do believe The Navy has to be more forceful I believe it can be done in a more respectful way. The Navy has NO respect for families - if they did we would know all information about our the recruit graduating at least a week in advance to make arrangements. Imagine the heartache for a recruit who is being held back and the heartache for his family who finds this out and on top of it the family has spent all this money coming to IL. only to come back again hopefully in March for a new graduation date.

On a final note and to add insult to injury, my husband was entering the base to drop my grandson off and he went in the wrong lane. The person at the gate was beyond disrespectful he SCREAMED for my husband to BACK THE F--K up. Really? What a disgrace speaking to a 73 year old civilian Navy Veteran or any person in that way.

We were also told information at least 3 to 4 times that was not correct. You would think there website would be correct and the information you receive correct.

Very sad that the United States Of America Military conducts themselves in this matter.

very discerning and embarrasimg to go to a outlet store with civilians giving directions to obtain tickets to my grandson's graduation from boot camp.I realize that they have many graduations, I believe once a week, but the navy people , chiefs and 1st class , were very robotic and short talking to people , they should show more respect. The ticket dispersements should be on the base and from military personel.The graduation exercises were very good of course. I am familiar with this because I graduated in the year of 1959. I served on submarines.