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Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 8, 2012 at 10:11pm

gail - (Whew...my fingers hurt! LOL) The Shuttles form the Hotels and Sarge can be very helpful to avoid lines. They drop you off at the entrance to RTC and you walk to the PIR Hall. Here is my take on Shuttle vs. Drive (clickable link).

I drove, but we had 7 divisions. Got in within a half an hour. Some opt to take the shuttle to PIR and have a rental to return their Sailor and/or for the weekend...depending on how much Liberty your recruit has and personal preference.

I just somehow knew I would need a car and also I preferred it.

AFTER PIR - This is a loaded question! Especially since you have a different week. Basically, PIR ends at 10:30 AM (starts at 9. Gates open at 6:30 AM). You have about 15 minutes to clear the PIR hall.

Those Sailors going to TSC GL for "A" school may have up to an hour with you (usually less) before they have to return to their Ship, get their stuff and be bussed up the street to TSC GL. They will spend 3-5 hours in-processing. Make sure they have a working Phone card to call you. They may not take their cell phones back to TSC until after they inprocess. Then you can get them from there and spend the rest of the day with them until 22:00 hours. They will have the rest of the weekend for Liberty. Any perks in Liberty for the Holiday, we will not know about until it comes down to the wire, maybe not even until you arrive. So those with GL "A" schoolers plan on the whole weekend for Liberty.

Those with Sailors who will be "A" Schooling elsewhere will be able to leave with you for Liberty directly after the ceremony. Some go back to their Ship to get their photos. They will let you know what time they must return to RTC. They may not take ANY civilian items (not even food) back to RTC.

Last year you also got Thanksgiving with your Sailor. Most left on Friday for their "A" schools...but you just will not know. It is a busy flight weekend. Sunday would be very hard for them. It is going to be up to the Navy and flight availability.

The "norm" for those that fly out for "A" school is to leave the day after PIR. We always advise to book through until Sunday if money and time allow it as things could change. It did for me. We had a Thursday PIR and while I was flying over he called and said he was leaving Sunday NOT Friday. (This was a Memorial Day Weekend PIR)

Here is a link to a Post I have on After PIR – Liberty; Sailors Departures from RTC (Clickable link)

Comment by Kellyd on October 8, 2012 at 9:58pm

Pink, it looks like it's just me attending PIR. I am looking for someplace to stay too. I hate that my family can't attend but you do what you got to do.

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 8, 2012 at 9:52pm

pinkpuddles -  I stayed at the Navy Lodge. $65 a night and no tax. It is about a mile and a half from RTC in the Base housing area (ungated). It is one of the few that allow civilians to stay there. You just call and let them now you are attending PIR. Sometimes they ask for your SR's Name and rate. I am a dependent through hubby and so used his rank and name.

Here is my take on the Navy Lodge:

Navy Lodge

It also depends on what you want. NL does have some kitchenettes. I believe Springhill Suites does as well and is very nice.

Here is a Map that Sarge put out about a year ago for taxi service to his Meet and Greet. It shows many of the Hotels (the prices are probably outdated):

(Click the pic to open in a new Page and enlarge)

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 8, 2012 at 9:45pm

Julia - It IS very hard and I am glad that you are understanding more each day!

IF you never get the Form letter (and it could take up to three weeks) write your recruit for the Confidential Password. He is the only one who can supply this for you.

Yes, you do need the Password in order to get a Vehicle Parking Pass to drive your car onto base.

WITHOUT a PASS:

you can take a Shuttle to base from your Hotel . it drops you off just outside Gate 8 for PIR and you walk in.

OR

you can park your car in the Metra Parking Lot which is just outside of RTC on Ohio (the street that leads to gate 8)

Here is a link to what the Form Letter looks like (it is "last years" model. I have a newer version. I just have to get to it!")

Form Letter example

ASMO - If you're recruit has been asmo'd then you need the original Form Letter so that you can get a new password. Passwords are PIR specific. You have to call PAO with the old Password and information and they will get you the new one. This is the only time PAO gives out this information.

Phone: Public Affairs Office 847-688-2405

PAO Contact page (for email) http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/contact.asp

Now, I know you have not recieved the Form Letter. Do you know what his original PIR date was?

NEW NAMES for ACCESS LIST- Yes, you can send your son new names for the Access List. The resruits will finalize the list about 10-14 days before PIR.

MILITARY - Military Servicemembers attending PIR must be retired or active duty with valid I.D. in order to NOT have to be on the Access List. If they are not retired then they MUST be on the Access List.

Here is a link that explains that on the RTC Website:

Military Personnel Attending PIR Information

P.S. You are very welcome and thank you too!

Comment by gail on October 8, 2012 at 9:15pm

We are there for 11/21. Staying at the navy lodge. My question is about sarge. Is his shuttle to graduation able to avoid lines? And after ceremony what usually happens? Can they show us around and are there shops with navy logo?

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 8, 2012 at 9:03pm

Okay...wow...I need to add "stuff "to your PIR GROUP.Sorry. I will in a few!

Comment by pinkpuddles on October 8, 2012 at 9:02pm

Does anyone have suggestions for reasonable hotels in GL that are close to PIR.  Like all of you we will be there the day before Thanksgiving and was wondering where everyone is staying.  Also, where is the meet and greet and what time?  We are driving in from MD....cant wait to meet all of you....

Comment by Julia on October 8, 2012 at 8:57pm

First I want to thank the veterans for you dedication , support and guidance to all of us . This is my first military experience and it is very very hard. Reading every comment helps me understand a bit more each day. This site is awesome. Question:If I never get the form letter how would I get on to the base for graduation? Do I need the password just to get a parking pass or can I get in another way? Also, can I send my son new civilian names for the graduation? Since he was asmoed I have to change 1 of the civilians. For the military that will be attending do they just need to bring their military ID? I know they do not need to be on the list. Thank you!

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on October 8, 2012 at 6:31pm

No one has done anything wrong, this will just be posted to inform any new members and as a gentle reminder to those already here in the beginning weeks of BC.

OPSEC OPerational SECurity, is always of the utmost importance. Please take the time to read the N4M's Community Guidelines (clickable link). Within it are links for OPSEC videos and info. Boot Camp is kind of training for us as well! Many are new to military life. We learn how to endure long periods of not seeing nor hearing from our loved one, we learn how to go through holidays, special occasions and birthdays w/o our loved one and we learn how important OPSEC is to not just our Recruits/Sailors safety but our countries.

Last Names of Sailors/Recruits are not allowed on this site. If it is in your username you will need to change your username. If yours is different from your Recruits it is still not recommended.

First Names and pictures of your Recruit are allowed but remember someone can easily match them up with their "mom". So you might want to consider changing your profile picture to not include your Recruit at least for the duration of BC. It is also a good idea to make your settings for your Profile Page "viewable only to your friends".

That being said...don't be afraid to post! Our PIR groups are meant to inform and support you! PLEASE don't stop posting about your Recruit and getting letters and calls and stuff like that. Just don't mention specifics. If something is really concerning you and you don't want to post publicly, you are free to friend any of us veteran/seasoned moms and ask privately.

Comment by Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons on October 8, 2012 at 11:28am

The 900 and 800 divisions usually do not have a brother division unless there happens to be two 900 or two 800 groups for the same PIR date. That usually only happens a few time each year. The 900 divisions practice and perform with the two 900 divisions that have PIR the two weeks before them. There are actually 900 or performing divisions. One is the flag corp and they carry the 50 state flags, another is the staff division and they do the jobs behind the scenes, they work with VIP's, are greeters at the doors, sideboys and body snatchers. Sideboys form two lines that the VIP's walk through when they are introduced at PIR. Body snatchers walk up and down the aisles during PIR and make sure that none of the Sailors are about to pass out. Sometimes they lock their knees because they stand in the same place for so long and that can stop the blood flow causing them to pass out. The last group is know as the Triple Threat. They are made up of the boot camp Band, Choir and Drill team. Each of these groups rotates each week in order to practice and perform for their own PIR as well as two PIR's before their own. I hope that helps and makes sense :-)

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