Can Family and Friends visit Tech School?

Can Family and Friends visit me in Tech School? 

Yes, you can have visitors while at tech school. Almost every weekend someone had family or friends visiting. During the week, after class is out, If you don't have anything to do, you are free to hangout with friends and family. On weekends, you are free to do as you wish as long as you come back to your dorm before curfew. Yes, unfortunately you will have a curfew while in Tech School.

Typically curfew is around 10pm on Sunday-Thursday and midnight-2am on Friday-Saturday. This will depend on your Tech School though as every job and location is different.  

It is possible to get a waiver on weekends to stay be able to stay off base at a hotel or with friends or family. Your MTLs will explain the requirements for submitting waivers while you’re in Tech School. Typically you have to have a certain GPA and be in phase 2 or ATP to be allowed to get a waiver. This means your first few weeks you’ll more than likely not be able to go off base. So if you want friends and family to visit, have them wait until you’re settled in and can get a waiver.

Keep the rules and drinking underage in mind. If someone (or you) gets in trouble and causes the squadron to be on lock down, you won't be able to hangout with your friends/family. Unfortunately, this is a very common thing. My Tech School was roughly 4 months long and I remember the entire squadron going back to Phase 1 or ITP because of underage drinkers. Most notably the last week I was at Tech School, two airmen got caught underage drinking and we were restricted to base and had to be in uniform at all times for the rest of the week and the next weekend. This made that weekend for those who had friends/family visiting not very enjoyable since they weren't allowed to go off base and enjoy time with their friends/family.

Keep in mind that even if you follow the rules, others might not and it can ruin things for everyone. The Air Force is trying to teach you integrity and how to be a team. If one person fails, everyone fails. If you aren’t 21, don’t drink. If you know someone who is under 21, don’t let them drink. It’s not worth it. Depending on the situation, underage drinking can get your kicked out of the Air Force. If you aren’t kicked out, you’ll usually get washed back a section of training and have to redo it meaning you graduate later than expected. It also sets a standard for you making mistakes. If you’ve been caught for underage drinking, you’ll most likely not get any leeway if you make another mistake even if it isn’t alcohol related such as waking up late or failing a test.