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Comment by momof5~(1CorpMen1Undesignated) on December 1, 2011 at 5:41pm

I can't believe I'm here, at the Ramada Inn ...righr now I'm at the pool wirh my daughters :) waiting for the meet and greet to start....soooo excited!
Dawn from MI in Chicago!!!!!

Comment by diannep on December 1, 2011 at 3:55pm

You are very welcome, CubMom:  We N4Moms veteran ladies want you all to have a wonderful PIR!

Comment by Cubmom (Ship 07 Division 009) on December 1, 2011 at 10:04am

Good Morning Everyone.  I am finally getting my self up and about.  I think last night was the best sleep I had in a long long time.  I knew my kids back home was safe and tucked in bed.  I have a Sailor who called for the last time last night and will see tomorrow.  The bed was one of the most comfortable beds I have been in.  Went to eat at Chili's and food and service was Great.  AND a group of Sailors came in and I could see my son in them not that he was thered.  But, I had just talked to him on the phone and he was talking about all the changes in life he thought he had made and the things he had planned for his furture.  Talking about he wants to move up the latter and things.  the other sailors that were setting there was talking about the same things.  My son has grown from this soooo much.  He has a new Navy family and so do I.  I sure hope I see everyone at the Meet and Greets.  I plan to attend both then, get back to get ready to go to PIR.  Everyone traveling today have a GREAT DAY!!!!

Comment by Cubmom (Ship 07 Division 009) on December 1, 2011 at 9:56am

diannep----Thank you sooooooo much for all the great information....I started reading your info and thought yes that is so true.  I got to the end I couldn't even read the information out loud with out crying.  You have been such a big help through this whole process.  Thanks for everything and God Bless.  I know tomorrow is going to be full of tears.

 

Comment by diannep on December 1, 2011 at 9:20am

AMEN, belle!  Proud of all of them for enlisting!

Safe travel for all....enjoy the MeetNGreets tonight....and of course, to bed early for you because tomorrow is a huge wonderful day!

Comment by Pentwater98 on December 1, 2011 at 7:51am

Good Morning my Navy Family... If I am this excited today tomorrow is going to be crazy...

Comment by ProudNavyMom on November 30, 2011 at 11:41pm

All packed and ready to head to Illinois in the AM!!  Woo HOO!!!

Comment by belle on November 30, 2011 at 10:56pm

My husband and I are pretty much packed and flying out from California tomorrow morning with our new Sailor's girlfriend.  Will try to make Sarge's to meet you all!

I just want to thank everyone for your tremendous help over the past 58 days since they arrived at Great Lakes.  Having a resource like this is truly priceless!

I also want to congratulate the mothers, fathers, and other relatives/friends/boyfriends/girlfriends of this country's newest flock of Sailors who made it through boot camp, with all its ups and downs. I am also saying a prayer for those who, for whatever reason, were not able to make it through Great Lakes.  I know those kids are heartbroken, as are their parents.  They signed up to serve, and they did their best, and for that they are to be commended, even though it didn't work out.

 

Comment by diannep on November 30, 2011 at 9:24pm

Last Minute PIR tips:

Be sure to head to RTC early!  If taking a shuttle, try to be on one leaving 6:30 to 7 am. If driving, please be sure to be in the car line by 6 am. 

Test out cameras as you are waiting for the ceremony.  Lala's suggestion and a great one...I didn't do that and my piks came out dark...  :-(

If you can have someone save your seat, hang out near the bathrooms.  Some of the sailors come in there pre-ceremony to use them and there have been wonderful "chance" meetings near the bathrooms. 

When liberty is called, be sure to take your piks quickly.  They will clear the hall in about 10-15 minutes.

Be sure to ask your sailor if they ordered everything you wanted them to (pictures, PIR DVD).  If not, head to the NEX and order there.

It's best to let your sailor call the shots for liberty.  Some want to get away from there, sightsee, celebrate.  Others are exhausted and want to go to the room, take a nice LONG shower without shipmates beside them  :-) , and rest.  Many just want to catch up on their laptops/cell phones.  You will get lots of ideas from Sarge at the MeetNGreet on things to do...

Your sailors will be versed specifically on what they can/cannot do during liberty.  The rules are strict.  They ARE being watched by "superiors" in plain clothes.  There are strict consequences for violations.  There was one mom who insisted her new sailor would be having a beer with his dad.  We told her no way...no alcohol allowed.  She acted like it would be in the room....don't do it!  I have a feeling that her sailor said NO WAY anyway.  My older son used his GPS to take us to a restaurant for dinner....that unfortunately was closed down.  My sailor got very nervous, saying he would just skip dinner before he would be late back to base.  Thankfully, we found a quick spot to eat and got him back 45 minutes before curfew (the rule is...if they are ON TIME, they are LATE!).  Some arrive back on base early, and with the gate pass, can drive onto the base.  They sit in the parking lot talking for a while....but are always conscious of the time.  You will see that these new sailors take their instructions very seriously!  It is such a wonderful thing to see how they have grown!

On airport visits the next day, be sure to know what airport your sailor leaves from.  Some leave from Ohare, some Midway.  You can meet up with them at the USO at Ohare....it is before security.  The USO at Midway is past security, so your sailor will need to meet you before security so you can get a gate pass.  Gate passes allow you all to wait with them until departure. 

They are bussed to the airports in the wee hours of the morning to wait for flights.  If by chance you sailor is flying out late afternoon/early evening (most go earlier), ask in the USO about sightseeing for a while.  They are no longer under RTC rules, but know what they have to do.  The USO normally tells you that is fine, but they need to be back 2 hours before flight time.  This won't affect many of you because as I said, most leave in the first half of the day.

Be ready to be brimming with tears once off base too.  You will be amazed at how many will come up to thank your sailor for his/her service.  They love their sailors there!  Even at the airports....I remember one mom posting that when they announced her son's group of sailors to board, they got a standing ovation from all at the gates in the area....how wonderful!

Lastly, keep Sarge's number in your phone!  He is full of info....call him.  He can get you anywhere you want to go.  847-212-0246

Watch the changes in your new sailor...and also LOVE that they are still the wonderful people they always have been!  ENJOY!

Comment by diannep on November 30, 2011 at 9:09pm

Sounds like all groups are done.  I know we haven't heard from 802 or 903 yet, at least not on this board.  But I feel sure that they went through.  903 has to rest up to rehearse/perform on Friday.

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