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Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on January 10, 2015 at 9:01pm

Here is my sons TG getting ready to march in. It was May but it had been raining (It was sunny and hot when we arrived on Tuesday. By Sunday it was storming !), so they have their Peacoats on over their Dress Whites. Yours will be in their CrackerJacks - Dress Blues.

Here is my sons Division marching by...its dark, I did not take practice pics before PIR :-( Don't be like me...

My son is actually in the bottom left corner of the pic! I had no idea at the time...and I didn't see him during the ceremony because they all look alike at a Distance and there was a Sailor in front of him who was taller :-)

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on January 10, 2015 at 8:54pm

From what I know at PIR for those in wheelchairs, the "specialty seating" is right on the drill deck (the floor) usually in the section where everyone else is directed to sit for their Division.

This is a basic "picture" of the layout:

(Sitting facing your Sailors)

Your Sailors will come in from the left through a big slide up garage door.

They will march in formation starting with the first Division numercally of the TG (900's will be performing before and during PIR so do not march in with the Divisions).

They will march all the way across the drill deck and make a U-Turn and march back across and start to line up by Division

So facing them you will have the first Division of the TG on your far left ending with the last one on the far right. There will be an "opening" in the center for performances by the Rifle core etc.

Before PIR their will be markers - little stands with Division numbers- on them showing you where the Divisions will be forming up. Usually there are two Sailors standing next to them. (If one of them is yours , and I know this will be hard-hold your hugs and kisses until after, they may not do this).

Like this:

You can just see the garage door a bit open to the left in the pic.

Here is a Recruit/Sailor assisting someone in a wheel chair:

The yellow lines are what they march on and there is lots of space between the stands and them for a wheel chair. They also bring an extra chair for a loved one to sit with you.

Now, they may have a new space just for wheel chair access only but I do not know about that. Maybe you could come back and report after about your experience? Either way they are very helpful and will accommodate you :-)

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2015 at 8:07pm

Not sure, My2Boyz.  There will be sailors there to assist you with that.

Comment by CatMom509 on January 10, 2015 at 6:46pm

Hello!

     "Many are the plans in a man's heart,

      but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

                                          Proverbs 19:21

Comment by My2BoyzMom on January 10, 2015 at 2:52pm

Thank you diannep... Any idea where in the hall the wheelchair area is?

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2015 at 2:45pm

....as far as seeing your SR/sailor if he isn't graduating, no you wouldn't be able to do that.  HOWEVER, he will get through BattleStations....they get a 2nd chance if they don't make it the first time.  But passing that final PFA (fitness test) can trip some of them up,  If you do not receive a phone call from your SR that he/she didn't pass their final PFA, consider all is good.  If they don't pass their final PFA (fitness), they get to keep trying until their division BattleStations day,  If they have not passed by then, you will get a call from them.  Once a family member receives that call, they are asked not to go to PIR unless they hear again from their SR/sailor.  That can play havoc with travel plans....

So in your case, lets hope you get NO phones calls from your SR until that I'm a Sailor call later next week! 

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2015 at 2:40pm

My2BoyzMom:  This is what the Family Guide says about wheelchairs on base and seating in the PIR Hall.  As far as saving seats, although it is not encouraged, some do this when they have elderly/disabled family members or young children who can't make it through the pre-ceremony and the ceremony itself as well.  If you have more questions about this, I would contact the RTC Public Affairs office.  I believe you have an email address for them in your form letter, or you can call:  847 688 2405

From the Family Guide on the RTC site:

Guests with Disabilities
 Recruit Training Command will be happy to provide an
on-site qualified interpreter for the graduation
ceremony when a person with a disability requests the
service prior to the event. Please place your request
with the Public Affairs Office as soon as possible via
e-mail at rtc.pao@navy.mil or via phone at
(847)688-2405.
 Use of wheelchairs and manually-powered mobility aids
are authorized onboard RTC. RTC provides wheelchair
spaces and a companion seat in a specialty seating area
in the ceremonial drill hall. RTC has wheelchairs
available on a first-come, first-served basis which can
only be used to transport guests through the check-in
process and after the ceremony to their vehicle or
transportation service.
 If you require handicapped parking please show your
parking placard to security staff and you will be directed
to the appropriate parking area.

Comment by diannep on January 10, 2015 at 2:27pm

SRs can be rewarded for doing something very well as a Division with a visit to Recruit (or Ricky) Heaven....but most often, most go for the first time after BattleStations.  Yes, they can get on the computers at that time (there is a small charge to them) so we always tell families to be checking their FBs just in case there is a post! 

Here is more of an explanation of what it is:

Ricky Heaven (sometimes "Recruit Heaven"- the best place ever created. It is a building with fast food, telephones, candy, computers. It is very very rare to go to.

Comment by Drece on January 10, 2015 at 1:46pm

What is Recruit Heaven?

Comment by Trecia on January 10, 2015 at 12:23pm

Question about Recruit Heaven: Is this after Battle Stations or can it be at another time?  My daughter said she would be able to be on facebook during that time, is that correct?  I would love to be on as well and IM her during that time. And do we know for sure the BS21 time for Div. 910 yet?

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