Comment

Comment by Katvando on July 20, 2012 at 7:11pm

i too have booked the ramada inn  thursday to saturday, thinking about adding saturday night just in case.  daughter will be going to pensacola after graduation

Comment by diannep on July 20, 2012 at 7:09pm

Kelsey:  We rented a car when there and were glad we had it.  For those who choose to fly into Milwaukee, they are cheaper to rent there. 

Milwaukee is about 45 minutes from GL...no traffic.  Someone in today's PIR group said it took them 3 hours to get from Chicago-Midway airport to GL last night.  UGH!  Lots of traffic in Chicago...so you all check out Southwest flights into Milwaukee....no change fee for Southwest, 2 bags checked for free.

Comment by ellen0502 on July 20, 2012 at 7:08pm

I would recommend renting a car to take you around to the restaurants etc, so much more convenient.

If you want to go into Chicago take the train the stop is right across from the base. It is $3 per trip one way, but I suggest buying the weekend pass, I believe it is $7 for the whole weekend, unlimited uses. Taxis are easy to get anywhere in the city.

Comment by Leisure-Ley on July 20, 2012 at 4:35pm

Proud mom of 2navy sailors~the one in BC now is PACT/AN. My November SR is CB (?) he was changed due to color blindness level.

Comment by Kelseyyxoxo on July 20, 2012 at 2:17pm

Would anyone recommend getting a rental car for the time there?

Comment by diannep on July 20, 2012 at 1:42pm

Rebecca:  Book through the weekend if you can.  Plans change--ask FTLW whose son was to fly out, but she listened to us saying book through the weekend just in case...and his plans changed during PIR week....so they had the weekend with him. 

Chances are your sailor will fly out on Sat, but no guarantees.  So sad to see ladies who booked out early, thinking their sailors would be gone, and having to say goodbye to them when they had more liberty.  So....better to be safe.  At least try and stay until late Sunday afternoon/early evening, if possible.

Comment by diannep on July 20, 2012 at 1:39pm

Group picture icon is fantastic, tracyln!  Love it! 

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on July 20, 2012 at 12:09pm

Calling Cards - If you did not send your SR with a Calling Card then please send one ASAP. They can purchase these at the NEX but it may be a couple of weeks before they are taken there (from their arrival) and they can't just go when they want too. I have heard a couple of stories of SR's on the phone with loved ones and they felt bad because others did not have Calling Cards when they finally got a call home! Some will even cut their own call short to lend theirs to others!

Make sure it is activated (nowadays that is usually automatically done at the register) and has the MOST minutes you can find! So minutes get eaten up with the first use! If you can't find a large one buy a couple! Also, make a photocopy of it so you have the info and can reload it if need be.

I purchased a 600 or 700 one at Target for $20 on sale ($30 normal price). I hear Sam's Club has them and some have looked online for Virtual Pre-paid Phone "Cards" - Google or Yahoo search it. I know AT & T has them for as high as 1000 min for $40. 1000 min? Hmmm...16 plus hours?

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on July 20, 2012 at 12:06pm

Good Morning!

The Form Letter:

First, PUT IT IN A SAFE PLACE. Do not throw it away!

It has important information on it that you will need for PIR.

1. Your SR's address. It will look like this:

           SR, Last Name, First Name, Middle initial
           Ship ##, Divison ### 
           Recruit Training Command 
           #### Something Drive or Avenue 
           Great Lakes ILL 60088-####
          

           "Recruit Training Command" can be left off of the address. Also, if they write a ship name (all of the Ships (barracks) at RTC are named after real Naval vessels.) that does not need to be on the address either…unless your SR writes to you and says it does!

2. PIR (as in pier) date. Pass-in-Review. This is the ceremony that you attend on the last day of BC for your new Sailors.

3. Confidential password for entry with your vehicle into RTC. This is in ALL CAPS and you will need it near the end of BC to be able to access and print up your pass that allows you to enter and park your vehicle onto RTC. The link is made available 11 days before PIR. You do not need it if you are entering on foot (though you do need government ID for entry into PIR); say if a hotel shuttle, taxi drops you off or if you park outside of base.

Do not give out this password to anyone.

4. Access List. You will see that your SR has listed up to four names on the Access List. These are the loved ones that they wish to invite to PIR. These four are guaranteed access to Midway Hall with proper ID. They will finalize this list later near the end of BC...that is why you might see names like Nana, Granpy, Sis, Bro, or even the dogs! Communicate with your SR as to the proper legal name for the list.

** You are guaranteed four guests...you may also bring extras. They will wait in the Visitors Center (USS Yorktown) until 8:45 (when all guests in Midway Hall are asked to be in their seats), then space permitting extra guests will be allowed to enter and be seated. Most of the time, all extras make it in. We have heard of TG's (Training Groups) with 13 Divisions...and extra guests have made it in. When we had a  TG with 14 Divisions, RTC issued  a statement that extra guests might not make it in.

5. A note from your SR. There used to be few short lines on the very last page for your SR to write a comment...time permitting. Some squeeze it somewhere if they can. Everyone is different. My SR wrote:

SAY HI TO THE DOGS FOR ME!

In his new Navy block Upper case lettering.

In fact, your whole form letter will be in new Navy block uppercase lettering and the zero's will have a line through them.  0 Zero; O letter.

Just so you’re not surprised and wonder about it!

There will also be a brochure for hotels and services in the area.

Comment by RebeccaLee63 on July 20, 2012 at 11:38am

My son's PIR is 9/7/12.  Can anyone tell me what happens if they are going to A school in Pensacola?  Do they get the week-end before they go? Do they leave Saturday? Sunday? Monday?  I'm trying to make plans and need to know if I should stay until Sunday?

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 93
• 94
• 95
• 96
• 97
• 98
• Next ›
• Page