What to wear/bring to PIR

[sacha3357 (Wife of an FC)]

GRADUATION DAY SCHEDULE
0630: RTC Main Gate opens to visitors.
0645: The drill hall is open.
0845: Guests must be seated.
0900: Graduation commences.
0920: Divisions arrive at drill hall.
1030: Ceremony concludes with Liberty Call.
2100: Liberty expires for recruits

All guests, including children, must show valid
identification (photo ID, Social Security card, or birth
certificate). Children age 12 and younger do NOT need to
be on the access list and will not count toward the fourguest
maximum.
When driving on base, please have your driver’s license,
vehicle registration and proof of insurance ready as you
will not be admitted without it (even with the parking pass).

Small purses, small diaper bags and cameras/video recorders are allowed. Strollers, car seats and backpacks are allowed, but
discouraged due to space limitations. Due to security regulations,
luggage is not permitted inside the drill hall. You can leave these
items in your car. The taking of photographs/video is allowed at the
Visitor Center and encouraged during the entire ceremony; however NO
photography/video is permitted outside of these buildings. Guests
caught taking photographs or videotaping outdoors risk having their
equipment confiscated by Security.

Contraband also will be confiscated and you may not be permitted entry. These items include but are not limited to: alcohol, illegal drugs, knives or
weapons of any kind.

All persons, articles and vehicles are subject to security searches. Metal detectors and other security devices are in use onboard Recruit Training Command. Expect a
delay at the security checkpoints due to this added security
requirement.

Bring: photo ID, camera with extra batteries, binoculars, tissues, lint brush and tide pen (dress blues in the winter and dress whites in the
summers), chapstick; hand lotion (cold weather dries you out) towel for your
recuit to sit on while ya'll are out enjoying Chicago after PIR and for you to
sit on while you watch PIR, Don't forget an umbrella just in case. Watch your
make-up when you hug him/her--he/she has to be very careful with their uniform
, a  checkbook-for the photo packages (minimum pkg is ~ 140.00) and anything else you want to buy at PIR. At the hotel :bring old clothes for your recruit to wear while at hotel (in case
there is enough time for that so they can be comfortable.) REMEMBER though, In
public sailors must remain in military issue clothes...even to swim.
I've read to take a shuttle if possible-it'll bypass the long line of cars at
the gate and drop you off at front. Sit at the top of the bleachers so you'll
have something to lean against (besides some one’s knees) Try to sit across
from where your sailor is and to the right that way you can see him/her better.
Be careful about too much kissing and hugging You also need to leave their R
arm free while on liberty in case they have to salute to an officer. No hand
holding is allowed. They have to behave very differently from a civilian.
Bring their laptop and phone to hotel so they can catch up with their family
and friends at home.

[Becky (J's Mom)]

Thanks for the tips!!

[ShortBecky]

Great tips Sacha, thanks

[sacha3357 (Wife of an FC)]

Don't forget change for the toll roads. Or just take the metro into and out of Chicago.

[Lucas'dad]

I plan on driving up Sheridan Road/Lakeshore Drive Thursday. When i was at "A" school I used to love that drive.

[Mary]

Those Tips are golden!!!

[Kelly]

Oh yes they have to behave differently than a civilian. I was laughing at what I considered silly rules...in uniform they can't walk and chew gum, walk and talk on a cell phone, walk and smoke (yes my son picked it right back up after 2 months grrrrrrr), they must always cross the street at a light and never cross against traffic no matter how clear it it, they must stop and check at every intersection whether there's a light or not, even parking lot driveways.

*EDIT TO ADD* Oh yes, they also may not walk in the street and are not supposed to use an escaltor if they can avoid it. That one made sense since the dress blues pants are quite long. My son had to gather them and hold them up when stairs weren't available so they wouldn't get caught.