My Boyfriend is officially a Sailor!/ PIR tips

[TamE]

My boyfriend graduated from boot camp on 3/15 and now is on hold in Pensacola for A school. PIR was a great experience and I am glad I was able to attend. The site provided me with great information and the weekend went off with out a hitch. I flew into O'hare Wednesday night, I have family friend in Chicago so we went site seeing Thursday.

My sailor's family flew in on Thursday morning. His mother and I stayed in the Quality Inn on Green bay Road (not far from base!!!!). Gurnee mall, Walmart and the Sundance Saloon are not far either(Sarge's meet and greet is held here). There is also a American Best Value Inn hotel down the street. I can not recall the Hotel his brother and friend stayed in but it was closer to the mall then base. Thursday night before PIR I attended Sarge's Meet and Greet!!! Plan on attending this meet and greet, Sarge will give you a lot of helpful information for PIR, directions, parking tips, restaurants, liberty information and provides taxis at a reasonable price. A taxi from O'hare is 100 dollars!!! I rented a car and suggest you do too. After Sarge's meet and greet, I made a dry run to base so I would know where the correct Gate was and how long it would take me. 

PIR Notes(from Sarge's meet and greet): RTC gates opens at 6:30-id check. Drill hall opens at 7:00. Doors at 8:45. PIR starts at 9:00. DIVs arrives at 9:30.Ceremony starts at 9:45. Set GPS to Ohio street-gate 8. Return(after liberty) gate 6 illinois street. Liberty return time is 7pm (for sailors departing Great Lakes) Liberty information will differ for each sailor.

Attire: I suggest lays, it was not as cold as I thought it would be but it is better to be prepared. I wore a pair of thick legging pants with tights underneath, high boots, and a peplum top. If you are heel girl by all means wear them if you would like!!! I parked at the train station so it was not that much walking and would have been fine if I wore heels. You are sitting for the entire graduation, but be mindful you are sitting in bleachers and have to walk up steps. 

After PIR: Do what you sailor wants!! If he does not want to go to eat do not make him!!!! My sailor decided he wanted to go some where close and we ate at a restaurant in Gurnee Mall.( It also rained after his PIR). After dinner we went back to the hotel and rested before he had to return to base. (Having a room with his mom was not the best idea, if you ladies catch my drift lol). 

I was able to see my sailor off the next morning, he flew out of Midway airport. Check with your sailor to see what airport he is flying out of. To get a gate pass you, have to be at the airport before you sailor goes through security, he has to be present with you to get a gate pass from the airline that he is flying. 

...I think I covered everything lol, if you have any questions feel free to ask. This information is based off my personal experience of PIR. Already planning my trip to Pensacola :-).

[alyssaleanne(ship03div401)]

Great info, thank you!!! I do have a big question, I am flying from Nevada. I am planning on arriving Thursday morning, but I do not know what day to book my flight back home. How long/how many days liberty do they have?? Should I fly back home sunday, monday, or even later?? I am pretty sure my sailor is staying in Great Lakes for his schooling. Thanks!!

[TamE]

Hi Alyssaleanne

Sorry Im just seeing this crosses fingers you havent attend PIR yet. Ive been so busy getting ready for my first move. But Im guessing Sunday if your boyfriend is staying in great lakes, if he starts school right away not sure what his liberty will be.  I left on Saturday morning since my husband only had one day of liberty, he was off to Pensacola for Aschool. 

Hope this helps!!