Ship 03, Div. 367

[Bryce's Mom - Ship 03, Div 367]

Would love to chat with Mom of other SR's on Ship 03, Division 367!

[Jimbo]

Then I'm sure they are running into each other in the pool. Have you ever seen their pool workouts?

[Jimbo]

I'll message you

[Jimbo]

That could be the case. My daughter was supposed to ship in March but they bumped her up to now. She was told that they like to keep the female AIRR classes together so you don't have one girl with a bunch of guys. I actually thought that she would have been in an 800 division since AIRR is considered special operations and she gets up at 0400 to do the workouts with the Seals, SWCCs and Divers. Maybe that's only for guys and the girls are different so I don't know.

The two of them are really smart so we'll see if they figure out my joke. I always tell my kids I know what they are up to at all times and that I have spies reporting to me everywhere...lol!

How are you taking the separation? I've actually been ok with it. My brother (a Nuke, too) and sister were in the navy when I was 11 and I went through Great Lakes myself, so perhaps I'm just used to things. Maybe it's because we live outside Chicago and she's just down the street so it's not like she's far away at all.

I did sort of chuckle at people's excitement over getting the box back. It's dirty socks and underwear...not that exciting...lol!

[Bryce's Mom - Ship 03, Div 367]

I still haven't gotten my letter but by surprise my son called me yesterday :)  I was afraid at first that he had gotten hurt.  Just need info. for a clearance.  I hope I get the letter today!  Jimbo, that is so funny about telling your daughter to say hi to Lizzie.  Our kids will be dumb-founded when they figure out we have a discussion group.

[Bryce's Mom - Ship 03, Div 367]

This is copied from another post but very good information:

 

WHAT TO BRING TO PIR

Be there as early as you can-before 7:30 am. Wear dressy casual, nice jeans are fine. If your PIR is in the winter months , you may want to wear flannel underwear. Wear comfortable shoes-you may have to climb bleachers and will be doing a lot of walking. Remember layers are the way to go. Gloves, hat, scarf. (For winter PIR)

One thing I did was a few weeks before PIR, start a “PIR bag”, not necessarily one you’ll carry but just something to throw things into you don’t use daily or routinely that you might forget. Binoculars, camera, a baggie full of tissues, lint brush, tide pen, etc.

Bring: photo ID, camera, binoculars, tissues, lint brush and tide pen (dress blues in the winter and dress whites in the summers), chapstick; hand lotion (cold weather dries you out) towel for your recuit to sit on while ya'll are out enjoying Chicago after PIR and for you to sit on while you watch PIR, Don't forget an umbrella just in case. Watch your make-up when you hug him/her--he/she has to be very careful with their uniform , a checkbook-for the photo packages(minimum pkg is ~ 140.00) and anything else you want to buy at PIR. At the hotel :bring old clothes for your recruit to wear while at hotel (in case there is enough time for that so they can be comfortable.) REMEMBER though, In public sailors must remain in military issue clothes...even to swim
.
I've read to take a shuttle if possible (even if you rented a car)-it'll bypass the long line of cars at the gate and drop you off at front gate…you’ll still have a good 15-20 minute walk but it is flat and you’ll see new rcts marching with their division flags. I don’t think my feet touched the ground during the entire time.. Sit at the top of the bleachers so you'll have something to lean against (besides some one’s knees) Try to sit across from where your sailor is and to the right that way you can see him/her better. There will be signs indicating where your Sailor’s division will be.

Be careful about too much kissing and hugging You also need to leave their R arm free while on liberty in case they have to salute to an officer. No hand holding is allowed. They have to behave very differently from a civilian.
Bring their laptop and phone to hotel so they can catch up with their family and friends at home.

If you rent a car (and I suggest that you do) Google addresses: RTC, the airport, hotel, Navy Pier, Gurnee Mall, restaurants. Etc & write down the address. If you have a GPS.take it with you, if not rent one with the car. Take plenty of change for the tolls’

Liberty is ‘time off’ from the daily routine. Graduating Sailors will be granted liberty to go off-base during the day with their families.

1. Graduating Sailors may not smoke, drive, or consume alcoholic beverages while on liberty.
2. Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC.
3. Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty. If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must be in authorized Navy issued workout gear.
4. Liberty expires at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sunday. No overnight liberty is authorized. Due to security checks and transit time, please allow ample time for graduating Sailors to walk back to their assigned ship prior to the end of liberty.
5. Families may not enter the base after graduation and will need to meet graduating Sailors for liberty at the main RTC gate.
6. Graduating Sailors departing RTC for follow-up training the same day as graduation or in a duty status will be granted limited on-base liberty.
7. Graduating Sailors receive an in-depth liberty briefing prior to their graduation day.

While you wait for your Sailor following graduation, MCPON Hall and eateries at RTC are available, or you may use your graduation parking pass to visit the USO, building 27 onboard Naval Station Great Lakes (Mainside). Parking is available outside Gate 1 adjacent to Mainside’s Visitors Center located on Sheridan Road. Walk through Gate 1 and proceed to the USO located on the corner of Farragut Avenue and Rodgers Street; escorts will assist. Snacks and drinks will be available on the second floor of the USO

Ladies...the question of when they switch from white to blue dress uniforms and vice versa was brought up in another PIR group. I asked Hoppi (aka Angie) and she said:

Great Lakes switches in April and Oct.

BTW...She also said: Hawaii never switches to Blue and Iceland never switches to White.

The music at PIR is VERY loud, drums, trumpets, etc. I would bring ear plugs for your little ones, it could hurt your baby (or worse, wake her up!). Bring quiet, soft toys for them to play with. They can run around until about 8:45, then they will need to stay put, but you can walk around still or stand near entrance to bathrooms. There are two very large motion picture screens so you'll still be able to see the graduation. (the hall is huge!). Oh..... and bring $5 bucks to buy you 4 yr old a dixie cup (Sailors hat, or Lid as the sailors call it). They are NOT ever allowed to try on or wear any part of a military uniform, so they sell these hats to help prevent that and kids love it (it's their size too). They sell them near the coffee stand inside the hall, but they go quickly, so find your seat, then go get a hat before they are gone!

Taken from the Naval Training Center website. PLEASE NOTE THE WALKING DISTANCES AND BE SURE TO DRESS WARM AND WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!!

PARKING

"Family and friends will be directed to general parking at the Chapel lot, which is about 3 city blocks from the site of the graduation. Another parking lot, about 1 city block away is available for those with handicap stickers or hangers."

SHUTTLES

"Most hotels in the area also have shuttle service to the graduation. The shuttle terminates at the visitor center located at the front gate. It is approximately a 1/2 mile walk to the site of the graduation from the visitor's center.

[Jimbo]

One other thing.

If you live in a state that uses an EZ-Pass, bring it. The transponder will work on the Illinois Tollways and save you 50% over the cash toll price as well as permit you to use the Open Road Toll lanes and not have to stop at the toll booths.

 

For hotels, the nice areas are Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire and Gurnee. Libertyville is ok, too.

[Invisible12]

I think I've looked at just about every hotel in a 20 mile radius of RTC...LOL..can you recommend any hotels in the Vernon Hills area.  I don't recall looking there.

[Jimbo]

After looking around at different hotels, I'd have no problems with this one:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g36854-d1100114-Reviews-or1...

 

It's in a newer area and near a Sweet Tomatoes, which is always a plus for me! There is a Courtyard by it, too which is where my family stayed when I was stationed there. People are writing that it's old though.

Not to burst anyone's bubbles, but it doesn't matter much where you stay in the area. There is not much to do except either go to downtown Chicago or shopping at the Gurnee Mills outlet mall.

 

You could head to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg for better fun, shopping and dining options. In the Streets of Woodfield shopping center there is a Legoland place and a Gameworks.

 

Six Flags Great America closes for the season on 10/30.

 

In Chicago, the Sear (oops...Willis) Tower is cool but the Hancock provides a better view and is usually less crowded. If you drive downtown, you have to see the Bean! Navy Pier is not all that exciting and parking there is very expensive $25+.

If you take the Metra train to Chicago, for the most part you are walking or taking a cab from Union Station to get anywhere. Personally, I'd drive. ALLOW YOURSELF AT LEAST 2 HOURS TO RETURN YOUR RECRUIT TO THE FRONT GATE OF THE BASE. Traffic can be bad, even on the weekends. Also remember that on November 11th, the Bears have a home game at Noon.

 

Eating in Chicago? I personally recommend the Chicago Chop House. I stumbled in there by accident once and have gone back several times. The calamari is awesome.

 

Not to be overlooked is Kenosha, Wisconsin. It's close-by and less hustle and bustle. So there are options depending on what kind of weekend you are looking for. I was sooo sick with a cough my weekend that I just wanted to sleep. I wasn't even able to PIR and sat with the other sickies on the side...lol.

 

So, do your homework and if you have any questions, just ask and this local will try to help you out.

 

 

 

[Bryce's Mom - Ship 03, Div 367]

Some more awesome information from our site & to reassure us:

 

As far as the first call...they are NOT guaranteed to call. Most get 3 calls: the "I'm here" call, the "I'm still alive" call (3 weeks) and the "I'm a Sailor" call (after Battlestations)...some only get the last one, some get all, some get more....depends on the division, RDC and the rct.
Watch for the 847 area code and the id is usually payphone...occ it is withheld or restricted.
Sometimes they get a quick info call the first week or two...the id is US Government then.
They all need calling cards...it eats up 30 minutes to just make a call from a payphone....so they need a bunch of minutes. They can buy calling cards at the NEX. If you send them one ...make sure it is activated first (saves time)
When you get your first call DO YOUR BEST NOT TO CRY…your rct will be emotional and most likely will be tearful and if they’re not, they will be if you are and then you’ll waste valuable talking time crying.
Let them talk…they don’t get to talk much at boot camp, have questions and a pen and paper by the phone to jot down what they say. When they call and you hear their sweet voice…everything you wanted to ask will go out of your mind.
If they are upset..just reassure them, let them know that it will get better, it is only a few weeks and after boot camp it is MUCH better. Tell them you love them, yes you do miss them but are looking SO forward to seeing them march through those doors at PIR.
Then, hang up and come on here and cry and shout and be happy that you heard from your rct !!!
In the Navy, "no news is good news." They are allowed to contact you almost immediately if something goes wrong, and if they cannot, the Navy does. It was just over five weeks from the time my son left home and his first call, four weeks is typical.

[Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367]

Finally got the official letter yesterday.  My daughter posted the mail on the 19th and I received it the 22nd.  I guess Thursday's will be my mail day, then.

[Jimbo]

Mine was posted on the 19th, too. I got it on the 20th. So it looks like it takes two more days to get to Alaska.

Did she write on the back? Neither of us noticed it until somebody said something in one of the groups here and I looked...lol.

 

[Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367]

She did write a quick note....first place I looked as I was pre-warned.  So good to see her handwriting.