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**UPDATE 4/26/2022** Effective with the May 6, 2022 PIR 4 guests will be allowed. Still must be fully vaccinated to attend.
**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.
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In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose).
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**UPDATE 8/25/2022 - MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED. Vaccinations still required.
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Fun things to do in IL during liberty?
I'm trying to plan my weekend with my Sailor in March and I'm assuming it's going to be freezing outside (especially compared to CA weather), but I'd still like to have fun while he's free. Anyone know any great places to go to or activities to do while we're there? I'd also like to save as much $$ as possible.
What would you rate this place? (1-5; 5 being THE BEST!) & why? What makes it great or not so great?
(My Sailor's school is in Great Lakes, so I'll have the weekend with him).
Views: 1725
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Concernedad on
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In Chicago they have a really fun bike tour that takes you around the inner city and to the local zoo (which is free), Navy Pier, and even the original Playboy mansion. In march, the weather might be freezing, or it may be very nice (for Chicago standards). What's the saying about "out like a lion, in like a lamb"?
There's not much to do around GL, except maybe go to the mall.
Keep in mind, he will have a limitation on how far he can travel from base.
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Permalink Reply by Anti M on
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Yes, but don't encourage newbies to do so on an open public forum.
Unspoken rule of the Navy, if you are breaking the rules, and getting away with it, don't broadcast it. Fly under the radar, so to speak.
I went to A school at Great Lakes, as did my ex and my husband. It is not nearly as relaxed as it used to be, not by a long shot.
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Permalink Reply by erh12275 on
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It's funny you say that because my husband was just stating to me that marching in tennis shoes must be nice.
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My husband was in boot camp in Great Lakes. When I went the first time for Christmas we didn't get to do anything. However, when I went back for graduation we got to go to Chicago. We window shopped alot. We also ate at Hard Rock Cafe. There is a lot to do in Chicago. There is Navy Pier which I highly recommend. It was brutally cold when he graduated(Jan 8) but we managed to still go just because it was something we could do together and enjoy. We also went back again 2 weeks later as he was on hold for school. I actually liked Great Lakes/Waukegan.
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Permalink Reply by beben528 on
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I heard the Navy Pier is beautiful. It's definitely on the top of my list (so far)! Thank you :)
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I believe they are allowed to go to Chicago. At least they were when my son graduated.
I wouldn't suggest going beyond the limits though. If any sort of event happened that they would have to report going beyond their limits, they would be severely penalized. I wouldn't risk it.
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I heard the distance was within 50 miles of GL, but I'm not too sure. Definitely going to do more research on it. Don't wanna get my Sailor in trouble. Thank you :)
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It is 50 miles. Chicago is well within boundaries.
During A school it is 300 miles. Every ship and command in the Navy has a recall limit for liberty.
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We were just in GL for graduation in January and weekend liberty, before A school in GL. Our sailor wanted his phone, good food, sleep, and family time just being relaxed. The range was 50 miles. It also took quite a bit of time for the checking out and checking in which we hadn't anticipated. So plan for that to take at least a half hour, sometimes more. We are an outdoor family, so we walked the beaches at Illinois Beach State Park, awesome ice formations on shore. He enjoyed the peace and quiet of that. Just relax and enjoy your new sailor and let what happens happen! P.S My sailor also wanted a home cooked meal, so I brought a crock pot of his favorite enchiladas and we ate it Friday night in the hotel room. He was so happy!
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Permalink Reply by Navymom on
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When I had visited my older daughter for her graduation we went to the mall. She needed a phone so we spent time doing that and browsing the mall. There is a great pancake restaurant there that we loved. Mostly she wanted to spend time with us so we went swimming in the indoor pool at the hotel.
Count on your sailor taking a long nap when you bring them back friday after graduation. She was very tired.
Also the zoo is free and definitely fun to do!
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