(posted by FTLW)

Comment by SOBE, on June 25, 2010

Here's something that I thought I would share with you. When we first read it, my son's girlfriend was sad, but as it turns out, it was very cool to watch all these sailors acting like gentlemen!

(Original post by Arwen) Public Display of Affection In the Navy physical forms of affection such as hugs, kisses, and holding hands while in uniform are known as a "public display of affection" (PDA) and are forbidden.
There is one exception: families saying goodbye to a sailor before a deployment or greeting a sailor returning from deployment or long separation. Boot camp counts under this exception, with limits. One enthusiastic hug of greeting and a quick kiss are acceptable. French or extended kisses are not, nor are extended hugs, hanging off your sailor, etc.
Hand-holding at any time is forbidden. There is a compromise, and I consider it to be a fairly romantic one. A sailor may offer his arm to his girlfriend/wife/mother; she lays her hand in the crook of his LEFT elbow in a formal escort-type pose. Likewise, a female sailor can take the RIGHT arm of her husband/boyfriend/father with her left hand. In a truly romantic gesture, men may lay their right hand over their lady's hand (to keep it warm, or for skin-to-skin contact). The sailor must always have his right arm free to salute an officer or properly displayed flag.
Also, just because you aren't on base, don't assume they aren't looking. RDCs and other boot camp personnel also go to the mall, out to restaurants, to Chicago, etc, and they will be looking for new sailors breaking the rules. Some may actually be assigned this job in popular venues. Even if they run into the recruit by chance and are just out with their own family, they will report the new graduate. You won't likely see them because they will not be in uniform, but they will see your sailor.
And no, they won't punish YOU. They will punish your sailor when s/he returns to barracks. The most common punishment is to have their liberty revoked the next day, or if the behavior is observed on the final day of liberty, new sailors can be retained for an extra week of boot camp. These are not idle threats. They actually do it. If you want to "mug it" with your sailor, get a room!
About uniforms Your sailors will be wearing their dress blues if it's winter and dress whites if it late spring and summer at PIR and that whole day after you drive off with them.
Be sure to bring a lint brush or sticky roll for your recruit to "clean up" his or her blues. The blues are wool and pick up just about anything. If you are bringing a pet, bring one of those sticky-tape rollers to de-fur your sailor. Bring a towel from the hotel or from home for them to sit on in the car or when you are out and about!
Be careful with whites, they show everything. On Saturday and Sunday they will be wearing their service uniforms, aka "peanut butters," which is a khaki shirt and black slacks or skirt. In the winter they may be cold in the short sleeves, so make a stop at the Navy Exchange

Rules on Liberty (added by FTLW)

These Liberty Rules are for PIR weekend.

From the Family Guide:

When you take your Recruit out on liberty, we know you will want to spend as much time with them as possible.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

 Your Recruit should be given ample time to walk to their ship before the expiration of liberty.

 Recruits may not travel more than 50 miles from base during liberty, meaning no further than downtown Chicago.

 Recruits may not use alcohol or tobacco products, nor drive a vehicle.

 Recruits must remain in uniform at all times.

 Recruits may not bring civilian items (clothes, mobile phone, MP3 player, etc.) or food back to RTC.

Recruit Training Command Family Guide 2012-06-05

From the RTC Website Rules on Liberty Page:

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. Recruits reporting to A School at Training Support Center Great Lakes will detach from RTC on Friday. All other recruits will depart on Saturday. To get the most accurate information please contact your recruit.
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.

Last Modified 11/30/2011