After PIR - Liberty & Friday and Saturday Departures

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Friday and Saturday Departures

Friday Departures
Means those Sailors attending “A” school at Great Lakes. They “depart” Friday, after Graduation, to move over to Naval Station Great Lakes from RTC. This can take from 3-5 hours. I do not know how much time they get directly after graduation to spend with you before they have to go move their things and get settled and briefed. I am sure it is not very long though.
When they are done they may spend the rest of PIR day with you. They will be given a time to report back to their compartment. Then they should get Saturday and Sunday to spend with you. Times and such will be given to you by your Sailor. This could change daily!

Saturday Departures
Means those Sailors attending “A” school somewhere other than Great Lakes.
They usually get to leave right after PIR and spend the rest of the day with you. This is subject to change. The time they report back to RTC on Friday …is subject to change! (Are we seeing a pattern here?) It is usually 8-9 PM.
They then get ready (or already are) TRY to get some sleep and then muster up and board the buses to go to their airports around 1-2 AM Saturday Morning (this can vary). Thus the Saturday Departure. Their flight could be ANYTIME on Saturday…the Navy only makes ONE trip for all Sailors.
There are three airports. Midway, (Milwaukee-don't hear much about them departing from here), O’Hare. You won’t know which one probably until PIR day.

 

Here is what happened to me:

Mine PIR’d on a THURSDAY (Memorial Day weekend) and was supposed to depart FRIDAY AM. (Think Friday and Saturday as the norm). He was attending “A” school AWAY from Great Lakes.
While I was flying to PIR on TUESDAY he called and left a detailed message that everything had changed and he would now not leave until Sunday around 1-2 AM!
“Subject to change.”
His report time every night was different. His Pick up time in the AM each day was different. He had watch on Friday from 4-6 PM and none on Saturday.

 So, what I was told to do was book to stay the extra days if I could.

I am so glad I did because it ALL changed! I would not have got to spend time with him if I had gone home Friday and he would have been stuck on base. I just decided that IF he did leave Friday that I would take a vacation!

SO...

 

The Basics are:
Friday Departures
Great Lakes “A” school- need 3-5 hours after PIR to move over to Main Base and get the rest of the day and weekend with Family. (No overnights though)

Saturday Departures
Those traveling to other bases for “A” school should be a Saturday Departure-but there can be variables (such as leaving on Sunday etc.).
You won’t know anything definite until you speak to your SR. They will keep you informed. Mine did, but it changed twice during BC and AGAIN while I was en route.

[veronica navy mom]

So our kids PIR 11-10 is on a Thursday due to Veterans Day being on Friday.  My son is going to Caifornia for "A" school, so he should probably fly out on Saturday?  Or, since they graduate a day early, do they fly out a day early?  I understand everything is subject to change.  I'm just trying to get an idea.  Thanks

[Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)]

My daughter is going to San Antonio for "A" school too!  If you hear anything about their departure date, please let me know.  I will do the same!

[Invisible12]

Veronica - I asked that question on RTC facebook page and their response was that holiday or not, recruits leave on Friday the 11th unless there are issues with flight availability or orders.  So, we have to hope and pray that there are "issues" so we can have them for the extra day. 

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Veronica - It is very up in the air I'm afraid. I had to just make a decision and live with whatever happened. Hopefully you can get some info about half way through from your recruit. I did but then it changed.

Bellachella - Same thing kinda. Even if she was to leave on Friday...and you went home too...you wouldn't be able to see her on base that weekend. They have phases they have to go through...three and each one has a little bit more freedom added to it. Actually they have to INDOC first...then go to phase one. INDOC is different for every base and so are the phases I believe. Since your daughter would normally fly out the day after PIR...I would pray for a delay in that so you can spend some more time with her before she goes to "A" school. It could be a couple of weeks or longer before she is allowed off base. Again it's different for each base. Look for the San Antonio group or for her rating group and see if they have info about INDOC and the phases for SA.

[danagagirl]

Thanks for this little bit of clarification. I can add that my first son was to STAY at Great Lakes for A school. We did not get to pick him up until 5 pm. He called at 2 and said we had to be there by 3, so sitting around for 2 hours was not thrilling but so worth it. Each time a new recruit walked up to the gate everyone clapped and cheered for them. Then finally a group of 20 came up and they were doing their military chanting (forgot what my son called it) and he was in that group. Cheers and clapping from everyone, was one of those proud moments all over again. My son this go round is due to go to Pensacola. I would much rather him leave on Sunday...but not sure if finances will allow since I just started a new job ...maybe some divine intervention will allow :)

Thanks again for the insight!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

You are welcome...and I hope it all works out for you! That you could get the extra time and finances. MI matter what you'll come to a decision that works and be at peace with it.
Oh...and they're called "cadences". When the one who leads "sings" he us "calling cadence". Isn't great?! I would've loved to sit and just listen for awhile. My son gave me a few minutes of grace but I knew he wanted to get out of there!

[danagagirl]

Oh yeah...that's what he said.. I just drew a blank! Thanks for the support. I know it will work out :)

[navymomjulie2011]

This was very helpful!  Thank you.  I guess I will make reservations through Sunday and hope for the best.  Not sure what to do at this point.  I would hate to see him have to be alone before he leaves for A-school in Mississippi! 

 

[Invisible12]

I made my reservations for the latest flight I could get on Saturday so if I was lucky enough to see him on Saturday I will have time to be with him and still make my flight that night.  If by some miracle he got to stay until Sunday (highly unlikely) then I would change my flight because I bought the refundable tickets.

[Zenda 04/823]

Question....will our Sailors have to stay in uniform while on Liberty with us? Or should we bring him some clothes? Any info would be great...thank you!!

[Zenda 04/823]

I thought I had saw that somewhere, but wasn't sure. Thank you!!!

[Invisible12]

Yes, they have to stay in uniform at all times.  They're not even supposed to wear civilian clothes in the hotel room.....I heard a story that one time a sailor had civilian clothes on the hotel room and there was a fire drill and had to evacuate.  He didn't have time to change and got into big trouble.  Whether that's a true story or not - who knows!  I'm bring comfy clothes for him anyway.