Operation Home Cooking 2025: Annual Thanksgiving tradition opens homes to trainees

Basic Military Training is looking for approximately 400 host families to share Thanksgiving Day festivities with trainees who are away from home for the holiday. Volunteer families must be within one hour of the San Antonio metro area.

This year’s participants are in the 6th and 7th week of basic training – including graduating Airmen without visiting family and friends for graduation.

Volunteer host families must be willing to accept two trainees into their home to support BMT’s Wingman Concept. Please note that volunteer hosts should submit information as soon as possible as slots fill up quickly. Due to scheduling and escort requirements, volunteers cannot request to host specific trainees. Host families must provide transportation – pick-up and drop-off is the Pfingston Reception Center at JBSA-Lackland. Pick-up time from BMT is from 7 to 9:30 am, with curfew time for return at either 6 or 7 pm, depending on the week of training of the BMT member. Specific curfews are driven by mission requirements. Remember to plan for holiday traffic when returning to BMT to ensure curfew times are met.

Requests are no longer being accepted as we have reached capacity. 11/18/2025 3:40PM CST