Liberty Weekend

[napoleon & yvette (for our son gerald)]

Son going to BC on 11/20 from SD. Recruiter says all grads happen on a Friday and he will get to have liberty weekend with us and reports back on Sunday. Question, can sailors stay at the base if they don't stay with their families at the hotel? I also heard they cannot do certain things while on liberty like smoking, what have been your expreiences? Also, aside from the Sears Tower, what are a couple of "must sees" out in Chicago considering the weather in January. Thanks in advance.

[Lynn Shoop]

We just got back from my son's PIR a couple of days ago. He graduated on 10/31.

Yes, your son can stay at the base. In fact, I think most sailors do not have overnight liberty anyhow and he will probably have to return to the base. Our son did. The first day he got to leave the ceremony with us, but had to be back by 6pm. The second day it was 8pm and on Sunday it was 10pm.

They must remain in uniform the entire time they are on liberty. No smoking, no drinking, no using cell phones, no driving. There are other rules too, but I don't know all of them.

We didn't go sight seeing or anything. My son just wanted to hang out with us and go to the mall to purchase his new cell phone. They cannot take their cell phone back to base with them. My son went to A school at GL, so as soon as he moved to his new barracks, he was allowed to take the phone back with him. That happened on Saturday night.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

[napoleon & yvette (for our son gerald)]

Congrats on PIR, what's his field?

[Nancy M]

Just a FYI my son Graduates BC 11/21 we have the flights and hotel booked till Monday, just got a letter from him that he received his orders and he will have two hours after graduation to see us and then he fly's out to school. Very disappointed and very expensive trip for us. Be prepared, Nancy

[napoleon & yvette (for our son gerald)]

Well, at least u spent a good 2 hours. What field and where is he going?

[Amy [[Chips proud wife<3]]]

my husband just graduated this past weekend...and he had to be back on base every night. almost all the sailors have to be back. if they have duty or watch they have to be back earlier than the time thr RDC gives them. a lot of sailors are grad n go and they have a short amount of time with thier families before packing and leaving for school. some divisons have overnight liberty if they win the captains cup or other things. its at the RDCs discretion though. we didnt do much this past weekend. haha we had a lot of plans, but just ended up hanging out at the hotle on friday and sunday. he just wanted to relax and spend time with me and our 2week old baby he saw for the first time. on saturday we went to Gurnee Mills Mall, spent 7 hours there. haha. its HUGE.
well good luck to your son and to you. this site is a godsend.

[napoleon & yvette (for our son gerald)]

when do they get to find out if they will have the weekend or grad n go?

[Amy [[Chips proud wife<3]]]

about 3 weeks into BC. and you shall also know when they send you Graduation Brochure in week 4 or 5. it will say if they are grad n go. if they arent the have liberty, but not overnight, thats up to the RDCs discretion

[napoleon & yvette (for our son gerald)]

thanks! what job will your husband have if I may ask?

[Amanda Y.]

Graduation will be on 1-15-09 for div 68 sh o9... it is on a thursday...just wanted to see how everything was going!?

[napoleon & yvette (for our son gerald)]

Hello Amanda,

Did you receive a package with his PIR date? The website says 1-15 for div 068 but his recruiter told me he thinks it's on 1-23 so I am not sure. He also said PIR is always on a Friday???

[Amanda Y.]

the reason this one is on a thursday is because of MLK Day. If the website says 1-15 it is right. That thing is never wrong...I haven't received the packet yet but we are supposed to get it this week. If your child is DIV 68 then it is 1-15. Also, if their A school is in Great Lakes or Pensicola(i think) they will not be a grad n go...they should have liberty

[Angie]

Amanda- Scotty's recruiter said that since he is staying in Great Lakes that he might be able to actually leave for the weekend. He said it depends on when they let him move into his new quarters. If they let him Thursday, then he might get to actually spend the night away. Isn't your husband staying in Great Lakes, too?