Graduation Schedule, Directions to RTC, Rules for Liberty, etc.

[DanaMN ~Kris's Mom~NCTS SanDiego]

Please be aware that it can take 30+ minutes to park, get through base security, and walk to the drill hall by 8:45 a.m.

6:30 a.m.

RTC Gates open to visitors.

Security screening begins.

7 a.m.
Visitors begin walking to drill hall.

8:45 a.m.
Guests should be in seats.

9 a.m.
Recruit graduation commences.

9:20 a.m.
Divisions arrive at drill hall.

9:45 a.m.
Arrival honors.

10:30 a.m.
Ceremony concludes.

10:35 a.m.
Liberty Call. Recruits meet with guests at drill hall. Recruits and guests transit back to parking area.

8-9 p.m.
Liberty expires for recruits.

Please drop your recruit at the base early enough for them to walk back to their ship.

DIRECTIONS:

Naval Station (NAVSTA) Great Lakes and Recruit Training Command (RTC) are located approximately 35 miles north of Chicago, in the far northeastern corner
of Illinois. The Wisconsin state line is approximately 16 miles north
of NAVSTA/RTC.

Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Naval Station Great Lakes, is home to the U.S. Navy's only Recruit Training Command. NAVSTA Great Lakes is also home
to 19 of the Navy's technical service schools. Since its founding in
1911, the Naval Station has prepared men and women for duty in Naval
service.

From the south (Chicago):

Take the Kennedy expressway I-90/I-94 WEST, towards Wisconsin. At the I-90/I-94 split. Stay to the right and take the Edens Expressway I-94
NORTH towards Wisconsin. Take Exit 29 (left) for US 41 NORTH for
approximately 12 miles. Turn right on Buckley Road (IL 137 EAST). The
entrance to Recruit Training Command is 1.3 miles ahead on the right,
past the Veterans Administration hospital.

From the north (Wisconsin):

Take I-94 SOUTH. Exit (left) for US 41 SOUTH just beyond the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Continue south on Route 41 for approximately
15 miles. Turn left on Buckley Road (IL 137 EAST). The entrance to
Recruit Training Command is 1.3 miles ahead on the right, past the
Veterans Administration hospital.

Please note:

All visitors are required to have a valid vehicle gate pass prior to entering the base. If you are attending graduation, your vehicle gate
pass must be downloaded from the "Upcoming Graduations" list. The
direct link is: http://bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp. The
vehicle gate pass will be available beginning 11 days prior to your
graduation date. A password is required that your recruit provided in a
form letter sent home during the first week of training. All other
guests must first visit the Pass and ID office (building 6130) located
at the main gate for Naval Station Great Lakes. Continue on Buckley
Road past the entrance to RTC. Travel under the Metra rail overpass and
turn right onto Sheridan Road. The Pass and ID office is located
approximately 0.2 mile ahead at the next light, just north of the main
gate.

Rules for Liberty:

Liberty is ‘time off’ from the daily routine. Graduating Sailors will be granted liberty to go off-base during the day with their families.

1. Graduating Sailors may not smoke, drive, or consume alcoholic beverages while on liberty.
2. Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC.
3. Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty. If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must be in
   authorized Navy issued workout gear.
4. Liberty expires at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sunday. No overnight liberty is authorized. Due to security checks and transit
   time, please allow ample time for graduating Sailors to walk back to
   their assigned ship prior to the end of liberty.
5. Families may not enter the base after graduation and will need to meet graduating Sailors for liberty at the main RTC gate.
6. Graduating Sailors departing RTC for follow-on training the same day as graduation or in a duty status will be granted limited on-base liberty.
7. Graduating Sailors receive an in-depth liberty briefing prior to their graduation day.

[deemedic]

Great stuff Dana!! Thank you for posting it so handy for us.

[ursula8]

Are you asked what the password is in addition to needing it to download the pass? I've got passes printed, but there's a girlfriend going on her own that was given a pass, and does not have the password....thanks.

[DanaMN ~Kris's Mom~NCTS SanDiego]

The way I understand it is the password is just for printing the pass. But maybe make sure she has your cell phone # in case she needs to call you or something when she gets there! ;)

[ursula8]

... thanks Dana, you're terrific :)

[KamasMom]

I have the one pass they sent in the mail and I was going to print another because I have read that you should have two. Sorry, but I do not remember getting a password. Did you get this from your recruiter?

I just watched the first miner give his son a hug for the first time in 68 days! WOW! I cant wait to hug my daughter.

[DanaMN ~Kris's Mom~NCTS SanDiego]

The password was in the form letter that was sent in the first few weeks. You need the password in order to print the gate pass.

I know... very cool huh? I can't wait either!!!

[KamasMom]

Thank you! I found it!

Yes, it is really cool that they are being reunited with their families tonight.