Oak and Liberty Blogs

Guard & Reserve Deployment Guide: What Families Need to Know (All Branches)

A complete, family-friendly guide to understanding how deployments work for the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard...

Drill Weekends Explained: A Complete Guide for National Guard & Reserve Families

When someone joins the National Guard or Reserve, their military commitment looks very different from active-duty life — but no less important. Drill weekends are the foundation of Guard and...

Army MOS Breakdown: The Most Popular Jobs for Guard & Reserve Soldiers (A Family-Friendly Guide)

When your loved one joins the Army National Guard or Army Reserve, their MOS — Military Occupational Specialty — becomes the foundation of their entire military journey. It determines where...

Air Force Tech School Travel Guide: What Families Need to Know (Sheppard, Keesler, Goodfellow, Lackland & Vandenberg)

After Basic Military Training, every new Airman — and many new Guardians — move on to Technical Training School, where they learn the skills that define their military careers. Tech...

Army Reserve & National Guard AIT Guide: What Families Need to Know (Rules, Liberty, Phases & What to Expect)

After graduating Basic Combat Training, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers move on to Advanced Individual Training — the phase where they learn the technical skills, discipline, and professionalism...

National Guard & Reserve Training Travel Guide: What Families Need to Know (All Branches)

National Guard and Reserve members train alongside Active Duty — which means families often travel to the same major boot camp locations and graduation ceremonies as the full-time force. But...

Space Force Graduation & Training Guide: What Families Need to Know (BMT at Lackland + Technical Training)

The United States Space Force is the newest branch of the U.S. military, which means many families are still learning how training, graduation, and technical school work for new Guardians....

Coast Guard Cape May Travel Guide: Everything Families Need to Know for Boot Camp Graduation

Every enlisted Coast Guardsman completes training at TRACEN Cape May, making this graduation trip a milestone every Coast Guard family eventually experiences. With its coastal scenery, relaxed atmosphere, and family-friendly...

MCRD San Diego Marine Corps Graduation Travel Guide: Everything Families Need to Know

Graduation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is one of the most emotional and iconic experiences a Marine family can have. After 13 weeks of intense training, transformation, and...

Parris Island Marine Corps Graduation Travel Guide: Everything Families Need to Know (MCRD Parris Island)

Graduation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is one of the most powerful and emotional milestones in a Marine family’s journey. After 13 weeks of intense training, transformation, and...

Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp Travel Guide: What Families Need to Know for PIR Graduation (Pass-In-Review)

Pass-In-Review (PIR) at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes is one of the most emotional and memorable moments in a Navy family’s journey. It’s the first time you’ll see your Sailor...

Fort Benning Travel Guide: What Families Need to Know for Graduation (Infantry, Armor, Airborne, OCS & Ranger)

Fort Benning — the home of Infantry, Armor, Airborne, OCS, and Ranger training — hosts some of the most iconic and emotional graduations in the U.S. Army. Whether you’re attending...