Grad pics and dvd's

[ACTmom(ship 11 Div 054)]

This is just my 2nd day on community, and I've been reading about their grad pics and dvd's, and am a little confused.  Are the orders taken for these before grad , or do we order them on grad day?  thanks!

[NavymomGG]

I'm pretty new here too, but from what I understand, our recruits place the order for the package they want when the pictures are taken. It is important to order the dvd and the yearbook at the time that they order their picture package. Apparently, pictures can be ordered after the fact but the dvd of PIR and the year book cannot. I have read that we can send them a check if they don't have the money to pay for it themselves or we can Pay for it on graduation day. Not sure if the actual order is sent in on graduation day. Our recruiter told my son to order Everything when they take his picture, this was before he left for boot camp and I wasn't sure what he meant until I was reading the posts on this website. I reminded my son a couple of times when I have written letters. Lydia , Lynne and Jessica are wonderful resources for this information...Hope this helps...

[ochaos]

Yes you can always order more photos but the dvd and Keel (yearbook) must be ordered when the order is turned in. There is a package A and B, they can also add on other photos like division photos, photo frames etc.  I will try to find my order form and post what is on it. They have to pay for it, so if your recruit does not have the money send them some, as far as paying the day of PIR I do not know about that.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

Here is the info I have on pictures, dvd and keel...sorry it's lengthy

Per the NEX Photo Lab at RTC on 7/27/10:

IF a recruit orders Pkg A for $140 while IN boot camp, the Cruisebook (known as the Keel Yearbook) automatically comes with that package. IF a sailor or family member decides AFTER PIR weekend to order Pkg A, it does NOT come with it - and the price is not lowered due to this fact either. Reason: The Keel book is like a bonus feature for those who order early. Those who do not order Pkg A, but want a Cruisebook, can order one at the time photos are taken for $30. Very important: If a recruit orders Pkg A while in boot camp, but does not pay for it by PIR day, the Keel book will NOT be included in their photo order.

There are two exceptions: #1 - IF a parent/sailor walks into the NEX photo lab ON graduation day, they can order a Cruise book that day for $30 and #2 - IF a sailor is still at RTC for those few days after PIR, they have 5 days to walk in and order the book. The lab will NOT accept requests by mail or by phone for this book, even if you call or write within that 5 day period!

The reason for this is because they order the exact number of books that are paid for one week after PIR. Unlike photo re-orders that give you a year to re-order, you can never request a Keel Cruisebook after the fact.

Also, he wanted me to remind everyone that prices do change, so even if you see a post on N4M that states a photo costs "X" amount, that price could change by the time your recruit orders their photos. They can change things (like including the Keel book) at any time, but recruits will always know exactly what they are paying for when they make their order and those orders are safe from any changes that may go into effect later.

DVD's and VHS tapes of PIR are mailed out to the address given by the recruit approximately 5-7 weeks after PIR. The Cruisebook (Keel Yearbook) arrives 8-10 weeks after PIR.

 First, the recruit pays for these, either with a debit/credit card, or a check when they pick them up a few days before PIR. What I could not get confirmed was whether they can deduct it from their wages, but several Moms have posted that "yes", this can be done. Now... the parents/family can go in and pay for them and pick them up on PIR day - but you must be present to do that or have sent your recruit a check.

Pkg A is expensive, but it's your best deal at $140.00: It does NOT come with the DVD of PIR, that is ordered separately for $29 (includes the shipping). However, the large pkg DOES include the Cruisebook, also known as the Keel Yearbook. It comes as a "gift" for ordering and PAYING for Pkg A by PIR date. If a recruit does not order Pkg A, they can order the Keel separately for $30 (includes shipping). Here's the confusion though - IF a recruit decides AFTER graduation that they want a Keel, it is too late, because the Photo Lab submits their order to the printing company that week - and they only order the exact number of books that have been PAID for. So, if you decide to order Pkg A AFTER graduation, you will not get the Keel book as a bonus. Hope that makes sense!

Most recruits pick up their portraits a few days before PIR, then right after the ceremony they run back to barracks to pick them up and hand them to you. The DVD is mailed to the address the recruit writes down and arrives 5-6 weeks after PIR (got mine on time). The Keel is also mailed, but takes about 10 weeks to arrive (should get ours by next week).

So, even though my son spent $174, it breaks down to this: Pkg A $140, DVD $29, and $5 for a 5x7 of the "casual" Division picture. The large 11x17 formal Division picture is included in Pkg A. And remember, Keel book (worth $30) is included if Pkg A is ordered and paid for by graduation day.

My suggestion is to write your recruit now and discuss what you want. My son paid for his, so it was his choice - however I did surprise him by reimbursing him on PIR day, which is something we chose to do. We did not buy him a graduation gift, our thought was "our present is our presence", it cost a small fortune to go to Chicago!

Here are the packages, prices and important things to know about Navy Portraits as of 8/26/10:

Your recruits picture will be taken in their Navy Blue uniform and these are very nice, professional portraits.

No order form is sent to the families, it's up to the recruit to decide to order them or not, and how many.

These are taken around week 4 or 5, they are ready and available for the recruit to pick up the last week of boot camp.

They must be paid for with a debit or credit card, or personal check (cash okay - but they should never have that much cash with them at boot camp!). They cannot have the cost taken out of their pay check. Families can go into the NEX on PIR day to pay, but it's a bit crazy on PIR day, so advise you to let recruit get them earlier that week. If your recruit did not bring a debit/credit card, mail them a check. Call the NEX Photo Lab for more info on that: 847-578-6205

There are only two packages they can order:

Package A - $140.00 (no tax charged)

1 - 11x14 photo, 2 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, 24 wallets, 1 - 11x14 formal Division photo. IMPORTANT: If they order and PAY for Package A no later than PIR day, it includes a free bonus - the Cruisebook (aka Keel Yearbook).

 

Package B - $120.00 (no tax charged)

1 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, 16 wallets, 1 - 11x14 formal Division photo. There is no free bonus book in this package.

Things you can order separately:

Note: Your recruit cannot just buy a few photos, they must order a package to receive any photos at all. However they can just order a DVD or a Cruisebook without ordering photos.

DVD or Video of PIR ceremony $29.00, includes shipping. It will be mailed to the address given by recruit 5-6 weeks after PIR

Cruisebook (aka Keel Yearbook) $30.00, includes shipping. It will be mailed to the address given by recruit 12-13 weeks after PIR. NOTE: This book is printed just one time, so if it is NOT ordered and paid for by PIR day, you can never get one later. The photo lab orders the exact number of books ordered and paid for the day after PIR, so there are never any left over. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Reorders: You can order more photos in various sizes for up to one year from PIR date. There will be a form in the portrait package to do this. Reorders can only be ordered if your recruit ordered a package.

Frames: The above packages come with thick construction paper frames - it does keep them safe when traveling. The NEX also sells very nice frames in a variety of sizes and styles. Prices are on the order form that comes with the portraits.

This information was confirmed with two different employees at the NEX Photo Lab!

 If anyone wants to contact the "picture people," here is an email address where you can ask any questions:

[e-mail]

 

[ACTmom(ship 11 Div 054)]

Thank you so much for this information!  One more worry off my mind!

[janlee]

I had the same question. Our recruiter told us that we will receive the packet in the mail with his grad. info but he was wrong. When i found out on here that the recruits had to order them, naturally i panicked. I know that my son didnt have any money in his account to use his debit/credit card, and he only had a 50.00 visa card on him. So i mailed him a blank check yesterday in one of his letters. I hope it was ok to do that. I think it would be. I explained in the letter what it was for and told him what package to order. Hopefully he gets his pics. LOL

[chrisinoregon]

I was hoping that my son could just order some 5x7 photos and the costs would not be that much.

[ochaos]

The Keel is a really nice book.  In the front is general photos but in the back the photos are of your child's specific division.  Some may have more of their child in them than others but it is a keepsake just like yearbooks are and they will look back on them in the future and remember some of the people and things that they did during BC. 

[ochaos]

I would recommend sending the money to your recruit as the line can be long on PIR day and you are going to want to spend time with your recruit not standing in line.