Graduation & associated costs

[Lil's mom]

Hi Ladies, this is my first time here, my daughter has been a DEPer since May now. Finally after a crazy summer things are slowing down and she suggested I connect with other moms here. We are all incredibly excited for her. After being in college and realizing the music industry jobs are very few and far between, she decided to concentrate on other endeavors. She called one day and said "mom, meet me at the recruiting station" Being from a family of Marines and knowing she wanted to fly, I assumed AirForce. I was totally shocked when she said Navy. OMG was I taken off guard. I'll never forget that day walking into the Navy office, all I said was "WHY NAVY?" Recruiter answered, "Why not". We had the greatest meeting ever. So many things have changed in 30 years. I suppose if I had a recruiters like them, maybe I would be retired by now. Haha. Any way, my biggest concern right now is saving for the cost of graduation, air, hotel and stuff like that. We are from the east coast and her grad. will be around the 1st of april. can anyone give me an estimate on what it may have cost them for their trip out to Great Lakes? Thanks,
Lil's

 

[Tammy-Andrew's Mom]

Hi, Lil's Mom - my son graduates in November and we're averaging around $500 per person for airfare, hotel and car through Expedia.com. This is to come in on a Thursday night and leave the following Sunday. But we're coming from California. We hear that there will also be graduation pics (min. package starts at $140) and assorted videos and memorabilia that will be available. Then there's the cost of food (we're thinking about $100 per day for the 4 of us including our recruit) plus the cost of whatever we'll be doing during his liberty. So we're trying to save $2000 for this shindig. But we wouldn't miss it for the world. Plus, we're still waiting for his first letter so that we can try to organize a family social with those that are in his division. Hope this all helps. Take care, congratulations and good luck!

[Lil's mom]

Thanks Tammy-Andrew's Mom, This is a bg help, I am thinking maybe flying in to Milwaulkee either from NH or Boston, but still too soon to really make definate plan, but like tons of others gotta start saving now. will talk soon, Kriss Lil's mom

[Kacey(1109M)]

flying and car rentals in Milwaukee are much cheaper we saved $100 per person in flights and $50 on car rental

[Lil's mom]

Thanks Brad's mom, where did you fly from?

[Kacey(1109M)]

sorry..for the delay... State College PA

[Jaimers]

Hello Navy Moms .. Thank you for the information ....and Lil's Mom thank you for asking the question...I was thinking of the same thing..."cost" My DEPer will be leaving in feb so estimating that her PIR will be in April. We are coming from arizona. Saving for the big day....all advice are much appreciated .... Thank you again!!!!!

 

Jaime(JazziesMom)

[Lil's mom]

Hey Jaime, I don't get on here much, but glad I checked this out this morning.  I wonder if our kids with meet up.  I am in NH,. My daughter leaves in Feb also.From the East coast I gathered it was gonna cost us around 600 or so per person for like 3 or 4 days., still workin on that myself.  will keep you posted.  We heard it was much cheaper to fly into Wisconsin.  There again, depends on where from and to, most people go to Chicago.  So I will try and show up here once a week anyway.

Krissi 

[Jaimers]

Hello Lils Mom, First off Hope your Christmas was wonderful!!! So when does your dau leave for BC. My dau leaves for BC on 2/16... like you i have been reading up on what to expect for BC and PIR . Yes it is so much cheaper to fly in to Wisconsin. MKE airport is about 43miles from GL. rental car is also cheaper since the airport tax is much much cheaper in MKE. Enterprise seems to be the most reasonable of all. We are coming from arizona as of now airfare is at about 320 per person... hoping there will be a sale or something by the time my dau will be doing her PIR. I am so anxious already lol.  I try not to think about the day she leave for BC but instead i think about the planning and getting info for our trip to see her for PIR. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year.

Gob Bless

Jaime (Jazzi's Mom) 

[Lil's mom]

Hey Jaime, thanks for the note. my daughter leaves Feb 8, right now we are in the planning stages of her farewell party, way to stressful.  I was all good up until this week, till reality set in, now i keep getting reminded of all those "lasts" of everything.i eventually think  things will calm down. Shouldn't let it bother me, she's be out in San Diego for a few months with her boyfriend so, if I can survive that i should be able to handle 8 weeks.  yeah, I think we'll do the Milwaulkee thing too.  I just wish we could have a definate date for PIR so I could get the plans over and done with early.  I hear sometimes their PIR can get changed if the whole unit doesn't perform well.  Hope that's not the case.  Also don't forget to save for pics, my friends say they ordered the basic packet right away so they had it sooner.  God, we'll be hit with all this stuff at the last minute.  ugh!  anyway, keep in touch.

Happy new year.

Krissi(*Lil's Mom)

[Marybeth]

 

Your recruit will be ordering and paying for the pictures - so unless you plan on reimbursing her then you can strike that from the budget!   They do offer a DVD of the ceremony, you'll have the opportunity to order it at PIR. 

 

Since you are so budget conscious  (and who isn't these days) - stay at the Navy Lodge.  It's $65 a night including tax.  It's also the closest hotel to the RTC (Recruit Training Command).

 

For activities - the train into Chicago is cheap - and there is a station at RTC, so easy to just park and hop on.  There is a fee for parking, but I don't remember how much. $1 or 2.   Look thru some of the other forums there's tons of info on what to do in the area; and a lot of the attractions (museums, etc.) in Downtown Chicago are free for the military.

 

Good luck to you and your future recruit.

[Lil's mom]

Thanks Marybeth for the info, the more I get the better my plans. We are definately going to fly into Milwaukee, and hope to get a room at a Marriot (husband works for them) so our discounts are usually pretty considerable.  Not sure of what kind of time we will have on our hands as of yet.  She thinks she may only be gettin  2 or 3 days before A School.  I am starting my countdown now till she leaves, cannot believe it, getting real close...

Krissi

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Lil's Mom   join this group   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampinfebruary   here you'll connect with other N4M's whose rcts leave in Feb as well as get good info