Navy Lodge

[Kamara HarrisHairston]

I just made reservations to stay at the Navy Lodge. Anyone else staying there? I understand it's very convenient. Any other information would be helpful.

[Lee]

Hi, we just got back from GL for our son's graduation (174). The Navy Lodge was convenient, affordable but not very comfortable! The beds in our room, and a friends as well were not too great. I spoke to the manager of the Lodge and she said that the beds were scheduled to replaced in September. All said it is a good deal if you don't have a bad back. They did however have decent coffee in the lobby.
The entrance for RTC is not 2 miles from the lodge and the train station next to RTC.

[Kamara HarrisHairston]

I guess I'll try and do some sit ups now and get my back strong for the bad beds:-) Someone else said the beds were like sleeping on a bag of rocks....I hope that's an exaggeration. How did you get to the PIR ceremony? Did you walk over or drive? I heard they do not have a shuttle to the PIR. Was it really convenient for the sailor. My friend was a Navy kid (his dad was in the navy) He said they have good inexpensive meals at the navy lodges. Did you eat there at all?

[Sherri]

It's not really close enough to walk to so driving is the best bet. It wasn't nearly as bad to get on base or as time consuming as I feared. The day of PIR was obviously the worst but not horrible. The other days we just drove up, got right on, and sat and waited for him in the parking lot. There is nothing at the Navy Lodge, other than vending machines, to eat but there are a couple restaurants really close by. We ate at a place called the Full Moom (or something moon...bad memory, sorry) several times. The food was decent and not badly priced. I didn't notice that the beds were that bad. Maybe I just have low expectations. lol

[Kamara HarrisHairston]

Thanks for all the info. How early did you leave for PIR. They start letting guests in at 0630. Maybe I should leave about 6a. Do you think 30min should be sufficient time to drive over,go through inspection and get in to sit? Overall, do you wish you had stayed somewhere else?

[Sherri]

we left the lodge at 610am. we were told that if you get to the gate earlier than 620 they turn you around. the traffic really wasn't bad at all driving to the base. you wait in a good sized line to get onto the base. then they have you drive around and all the cars line up in different lines. some people have to get out while they fully search the cars and some (like us) they just ask for ID and have the dogs sniff outside the car. from there they take you to the parking lot. you walk over to the drill hall where you wait in a line where they check to make sure you're on the list . from there you enter the actual drill hall. we were sitting in the drill hall by 730am. then you wait...and wait...lol. i don't think where you stay will make any difference. you are only there really to sleep and shower.

[Kamara HarrisHairston]

thanks for all of the info. it's really helpful. I will plan to be up and gone by 615ish. (415 my time) but I'm sure I'll excited enought that I won't be sleepy.

[Jan aka Chris' Mom]

we stayed at the lodge for the 5/9 PIR and it was not bad, there is a mini mart NEX at the end f the street and they will give you a temp card at the front desk and you are allowed to buy certain items there during your stay.

the coffee is better at the front desk then the stuff they give you to brew in your room. The name of the restaruant is the Full Moon and is open 24 hours looks like a hole in the wall but was very good we had Mother's day breakfast there. it was on route 41 you will most likely pass it on your way into the lodge upon your arrival.

there are a lot of fast food places near by on Greenbay road heading North. and Gurnee mills has tons of great chain restaraunts.

we went for Pizza at Silo's after PIR was the best I ever had we all loved it and by the amount of business they were doing I would say we are not alone. google it very easy to get to from base and close I think it was about 5 minutes( not sure was to busy looking over my new Sailor)

As for getting to PIR we left the lodge at 630 and we breezed right through all the check points with no lines any where until we got to the drill hall because they had not opened the doors yet.

do keep in mind that they have signs up saying where your division lines up and both times I have been there they have been off slightly looking at the drill hall from the bleachers my son was further to my right then the signage would lead you to believe.

[Kamara HarrisHairston]

Thank you for all of your info as well. I really appreciate you taking the time to pass on your experiences. Was your son able to stay with you during his liberty? I know he probably had to be back by 9p, but was the Navy Lodge convenient for him or do you think he'd would have wanted to get away a little. I'm going to write my son another letter and ask him. I've sent so many...I don't know if I asked him already or not.

[Jan aka Chris' Mom]

we spent very little time at the lodge...he had to be back early friday for duty but we had a nice lunch together and hung out at the park for a little..my guys are big on the outdoors so we went for a nice walk and hit the mall (Gurnee Mills) for a little bit.
Saturday he was free for the day so we took the train into Chicago it was okay Sears tower was the best but Navy pier did not impress any of us even though I did like the stain glass window exhibit (pics on my page)

[Darla Frandrup]

Very new mom here....just figured out what PIR means. My son leaves tomorrow for boot camp. How long do they get to spend time with us? I thought it would only be the day of graduation. Does graduation always take place on the same day of the week? Does the liberty time vary? We have lots of family coming along, probably 10 or so. I assumed they could all come to the ceremony. Is this true?

[Cheryl Boyer]

Oh boy! Welcome to your new home!! To answer your questions, 2000 of us will, Graduation is on Fridays, they get to have the weekend with you, unless they have watch, they must be back on base by 6:00 pm or so, depends on his superiors, and only 4 will be granted tickets...there are alot of different takes on that, but officially, it's only 4. First get him off to boot, there's so much more you'll want to ask! Like "WHAT'S THE BOX?" Good luck, my daughter is graduating this Friday...so it's nice to help a newbie...ask away!

[Darla Frandrup]

Okay, you got me! What is the box???
I'm still waiting for the "I arrived phone call". He flew out this morning; I'm really hoping to hear from him soon! Thank you to all of you out there for sharing all of this information. It helps me so much to hear that all of you have sent off your "kids" and survived to tell about it! I am so proud, but still pretty sad. This is way different then moving him to his dorm room 4 hours away. It just feels soooo different, does that make sense? If his PIR is 9 weeks from the first friday he arrives, it would be on his 22nd B-day. August 1st. How wonderful is that. After boot camp and while in A School can he can have a lap top, digital camera and cell phone? I'm already writing letters (as is most of our family). Thank you again! I can't tell you how nice it is to meet you all! :) Congratulations Cheryl to you and your daughter!