Preparing for PIR

[Dawn Russell]

Hi everyone,
I posted this in the forum for my daughter's PIR, but someone suggested posting it where others can see as well.
I attended PIR a month ago for my son and am about to go again for my daughter. These are some helpful hints for anyone going to PIR. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, or add your own suggestions! I hope these help you as you prepare to visit your new sailor!

Helpful Hints for PIR

1. Take your camera!
2. Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk ¼ to ½ mile to the ceremonial hall.
3. Take a Tide stick
4. Take cash to the PIR. If you want a drink or a shirt, cash only
5. Get to the base early. I recommend being there when the gates open or soon after.
6. Be sure if you take your own car, that there is nothing in it that could be confiscated. Alcohol, knitting needles, scissors, etc.
7. Take a change of clothes for your sailor to wear if they lounge in the room. Outside the room, they must wear their uniform, but they will want to be comfortable if they are relaxing.
8. Remember, they cannot take laptops or cell phones back to the barracks. If they are grad n go, you can give to them at the airport.
9. If you plan to sight see, work your way toward the base. The traffic in Chicago can be horrible. Plan to have your sailor back to base with plenty of time to say good bye and for him/her to walk back to their ship.
10. If you plan to shop, Gurnee Mill Mall is great! Not too far from base.
11. Take them some goodies! Remember, they haven’t had sweets in 8 weeks! I took my son peanut M&Ms
12. Look online at what all there is to do before you go. You may be able to get discount tickets. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry (they have the only U-Boat in the US). If you want to go on any of the tours for the museum, you really need to reserve a spot beforehand.
13. As you are getting close to the base, there are three lanes. Stay in the middle lane. The right lane will end before you get to the base and it is hard to move over. The only time I had a problem with traffic to base was going to PIR. All other times, there was no problem.
14. Be sure to take change with you if you will drive in the area. There are toll roads. The tolls I paid varied from .50 to 1.00. If you get in the wrong lane and can't pay, or don't have any cash, don't worry. You can actually not pay twice without getting a ticket. Also, you can go online and pay the tolls you missed within a week.

[Victoria]

On our last day there with my son, he wanted to just get out away from the base and the city. So we drove north of Gurnee, on Hwy. 41 until we reached a road that went east called Rosecrans Rd. (173)....it was a short drive, about 30 minutes, and we ended up in a beautiful little town called Zion.
outside of Zion we found the Illinois Beach State Park North and South. We parked and walked up
the beach as it lapped along the shores of Lake Michigan. It was a lovely, and peaceful setting and
just what my son needed to clear his mind and relax. There were sailboats in the water, people picnicking and lots of cool rocks to explore. ( We confiscigated a few for cheap souveniers).......
We spent about an hour there, reflecting........ then we took him back to the base and said our goodbyes...... tough, but necessary. I would recommend that state park if you want to go and see the water and go for a great walk. It isn't really that far away......and Zion is a quaint beautiful little town.

[Dawn Russell]

That sounds so perfect!! What a great way to spend quality time together! Thanks for sharing!

[Valorie W.]

Thanks so much for this advice. We did g visit today after we visited North Shore Baptist Church on Sheridan Road. It was such a nice trip, very windy and cloudy, but still very nice. After the visit to the lake we ate at Applebees and it rained for most of the afternoon. I was so glad we went to the lake first. Thanks again, I appreciate the tip.

[Dawn Russell]

Hi Annette,
We are staying at the Navy Lodge this Friday for my daughter's PIR as well. I would drive. The problem I saw with my son's PIR was the shuttle from my hotel (not navy lodge) only took you at one time and picked up at another. If you missed it, oh well. The drive isn't bad, and you can take your time without worrying about missing the shuttle.

[Melissa (Tucson)]

Hi Annette:
I stayed at the Navy Lodge last April and they did not have a shuttle. You may have to drive on base (most do this). Let me know about the shuttle and if they changed their policy.....
Have a wonderful trip and enjoy every minute with your new Sailor! Bring back lots of pictures and post them on your page as soon as you can! Where is he going to "A" school?
Thank him for his service to our country for me. Blessings to you both!

[Dawn Russell]

I just got back from my daughter's PIR, stayed at Navy Lodge. No shuttle that I saw. If you rent a car, it is the closest hotel to the base. The rooms weren't that great. My carpet needed vacumming bad. The other two rooms in my group smelled of urine. They said it was from buildup in the a/c. Yes, they have wifi, but it is not free. the staff are probably the nicest I have ever met. Also, almost everyone there is for PIR and are nice to each other.

[Lynne Meeks]

We stayed at the Navy Lodge in June for my son's PIR and everything was wonderful. Room was great...nothing fancy, but we didn't need anything fancy just to sleep. I have no complaints whatsoever and will stay again when son number 2 has his PIR.

[PROUD Step-mom to a "Sailor"]

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR THE INFO!!! CONGRATULATIONS on your "Sailor"!!!

[Cathy (Mike's proud mom)]

Hello - Thanks for all the great tips! I will pass them on to the rest of my family that is going to PIR. My son graduates on 10/17. Anyone else going to be there on that date?

[Kim]

Hi Cathy,
My son is graduating on 10/17 also. What division is he in? Matt is in 393 USS Chicago. We are booked at the Navy Lodge also.

[Brandy Rivera]

Wow, I am so happy I went to this site! We are flying in Oct 9th, PIR Oct 10th. We have reservations at the Navy Lodge. Does anyone know if renting a car is completely nec. We are flying into O'Hare. Is there a tram or anything that will take you to the base on the PIR date from the Navy Lodge? Anyone with information on this I would greatly appreciate it. The more I know The happier I would be and safer we would feel. Thank you so much!

[MRM3]

Hi Brandy! I rented a car for my son's PIR in August and I was glad I did. The train only runs every 1 1/2 hrs. I talked with other families who relied on the train and they said they spent a lot of time traveling on the train and were almost late getting their recruit back to base. It depends on what time they have to be back...it varies with each recruit and you won't know until you go to PIR. My son was always worried about getting back in plenty of time....if they are late returning from liberty they can lose their privilege to leave the next day so it's very important to have reliable transportation. The majority of restaurants and entertainment are within a short driving distance from the base so I think it will be much easier to rent a car. I am going back for son #2's PIR the end of October and have plans to rent a car then also. The Navy Lodge does not have a shuttle to the base however it's only about 1 mile away. Hope this helps!