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**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.
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RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021
Please note! Changes to this guide happened in October 2017. Tickets are now issued for all guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter base. A separate parking pass is no longer needed to drive on to base for parking.
Please see changes to attending PIR in the PAGES column. The PAGES are located under the member icons on the right side.
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- Graduation Info
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Our PIR experiences and tips
Hi Folks. We were at our first PIR on January 8, 2016 and would like to share our experiences in hopes it will help out new Navy families.
We flew into O'hare on Thursday night. The airport is big, but not too intimidating. The person at the information desk pointed us in the right direction, and we found ourselves on a bus heading to the car rental area. The folks at Alamo were very friendly and helpful, and we were on our way in no time at all. Note: we didn't have any checked bags, so from landing to driving out of the parking lot took a total of about 30 to 45 minutes. Our arrival was at 6:30pm on a Thursday, and the airport was not too busy.
Our drive was to Waukegan, and was an easy drive. At about 7:00pm there was very little traffic, and the drive took around 45 minutes. The toll was $1.90. We stayed at the Courtyard Mariott in Waukegan, which was very nice and very clean. Desk staff was friendly and full of tips and suggestions. While checking in we put our name on the shuttle list for the ride to the PIR. That was the best thing we did, more on that later.
For dinner that night we ate and Anastasia's, which is next door to the Courtyard. Great food and great service. Four of us ate, with a drink or two, for $55.
The next day we had a quick breakfast in the lobby, and were on the shuttle at about 6:30. Tip..go on the early shuttles for the best seats at PIR. When we saw the line of cars waiting to get in the gate, and then the shuttle van drove around all of those cars to bring us directly to the gate, we knew we made the right choice. Total cost for the van ride is $3.00 per person each way...money well spent. The van can hold six passengers, so there is room for your entire family, and if one van is full, there will be another one soon.
After getting through security (tip, have license ready), it's a little walk to the ceremony hall. Plan accordingly if the weather is bad, and don't put your ID away, you'll need it again. We were sitting down by 7:15. When you walk in the hall, look for your recruits division sign so you'll be sitting in the right place, get your seats, and settle in. Tip, go to the bathroom before you sit. There were 12 divisions graduating that day, so people who arrived later had difficulties finding seats near their recruits division.
The PIR is great, and I won't give away any of their surprises, but relax...you will really enjoy this ceremony. And following the PIR....LIBERTY!!! After 8 weeks, you can finally hug your Navy Sailor.
Our son had to check into A school, so we left him there and went back to the Courtyard, via the same Black and Red van. The driver was sitting near the gate when we came out. Another friendly man, and not a scary driver either.
Lunch was at Sweet Tomatoes, all soup and salad. Fresh salad fixings, and all you can eat.
We picked up our son at about 3:00 pm and got caught up on the last 8 weeks. Afterwards we went to dinner at a Sushi place...not very good, and very over priced. Oh well, the only downside to the weekend.
The sailors need to be back on base at night, so we dropped him off at about 7:00 pm with plans for breakfast the next day. Also, they can now have cell phones on base, so you can bring your sailors phone if you want to.
Saturday...we drove to Wisconsin and had breakfast at Franks Place in Kenosha. It is not very far from the base (about 30 minutes), and it is definitely worth the trip. WOW....what a breakfast. Try the garbage plates, and a bloody mary. Incredible. Guy Fieri filmed a show for diners, drive ins, and dives there.
On the way back to the Courtyard we found a Jelly Belly plant. Couldn't tell you exactly where, but I'm sure Google could help.
Later that day we had lunch at Portillo's for Chicago style hot dogs. REAL cool place, and the food sure was good.
Dinner brought us back to Anastasia's. They have an incredible deep dish pizza. Our left over food went back to the base. We had to have our son back on base by 10:00pm, and you can drive them directly to their ship. Make sure you all have your ID's handy, and also the rental slip for the car.
Our return trip was incredibly easy. It snowed Saturday night, so I figured I'd get an early start. Traffic was light and the roads were clear. We pulled up at Alamo, there were two employees who met us at the car, and by the time the four of us were out of the car they already had our bags on the shuttle bus for us. The bus ride to the terminal was about 15 minutes, and TSA check in was about 30 minutes. Total time from hotel to gate was about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but I'd suggest you plan to get there early in case your travelling at a more busy time.
NOTE: Thank you Navyformoms for all of your information. After reading the posts by others, we were very prepared for the PIR, making our trip much more relaxing and stress free.
And...welcome to the Navy family!
Views: 11542
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Colleen on
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Thank you! That was great information and will definetly be utilizing your recommendations. My son just left today for boot camp, I've heard the graduation ceremony is beautiful, thanks again!
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Permalink Reply by AllThings on
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Thank you for this. It will help me in the near future. Congratulations on having your son graduate and for planning and executing a successful experience for your family.
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Thank you! Our son is graduating on the 65th and we have never been there before or to that airport. Sounds a little easier than we have been anticipating! Congrats to you and your family!!--
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Permalink Reply by lemonelephant on
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Christiane, I left info for you on your My Page.
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On Jan. 6th
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Thank you so much for posting this! This is all great information!
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beachteach, I left info for you on your My Page.
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Permalink Reply by BoiseMom on
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Wow, this is a great write up and so helpful. Thank you so much and congratulations to you and your sailor. Our PIR is January 20. We are so excited!
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I have found your post to be extremely helpful. I've got a stupid question. Due to the weather we will be dealing with, what do you suggest for me to wear to the PIR?
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Permalink Reply by Sar on
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Thank you so much for sharing, sounds like you were able to do a lot. Good to know about the shuttle.congratulations.
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Permalink Reply by Bandmom on
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Thank you so much for the detailed information. My son has not yet left, but it is coming up soon. I will keep your information handy.
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Tea Time, I left info for you on your My Page.
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