USS Chicago SHIP 7 Division 104

[True Grit]

Hi All anyone else Loved one from this class. Our son has sent home many letters and we  and our extended family & friends have responded in turn. Our Son went with a small group from NY he Made a friend here before they shipped out They are both  going for MA. In fact the Friend is the MA while our son is the Division Yoeman, why he would take on additional stuff is beyond me but I guess RCT has a way of taping  into your inner self. I also can say that the have earned their fourth Flag and as of now it should be the fourth day of week number five or as they might have written 5-4 DOT.  I have been looking on this site and it seems that flying into O hare is simpler than Midway. I also was able to get a rental from Hotwire .com for 13.95 for a full size car. PU/drop back at Airport. unlimited mileage. I also understand that the taxes on the rental are like 20% so be ready for the hit. I was unable to get a cheap good hotel thru Hotwire for the area but did as others and searched North Chicago hotels web site and then used my AAA discount to get a nice discount rate at the Residence Inn up on South Oak Drive about 3 miles from the base in Waukegan.  Although I also hear that the Navy Lodge is good too. for a few dollars more.

[True Grit]

Anyway some things you should be getting ready. a small laptop bag that you can carry on . in it you can have our sailors cell phone and charger, their laptop, your EZ pass for tolls . a GPS with some address for stuff out there ready to go. Make sure you have the right gate info as the base is huge . These Kids are like drones and will be programed to due whats told of them on schedule. so they basically will need help making choices. So be prepared to be making the plans for them.when it comes to eating and any activities provided they are not grad and go's .Also I wish there was away to find out sooner what their status will be. as grad and go's will be required to be back at base a couple of hours after the PIR .If this is the case it sucks so be prepared to meet them at the airport then at least you'll have a little window of time to spend with them there at the USO in he airport.

[Clarissa]

how do you find out what gate? When will we get parking passes?

[glor112]

True Grit,
Thanks for all your great comments and info.You always seem to hit the nail on the head. Counting off the days--l would like to put that count-down clock on my door.I know these are the hardest 2-weeks, I'm praying they stay strong and keep working togeth. as a team--they really need each other now..I still do not understand why we as the parents, are not informed ahead of time (when making reservations), of the dates. Here is your p.i.r. date 2-26, or here is your grad. and go date. At least then you can prepare mentally--I am only going to see my son or daughter for 5-6 hours,etc.and prepare financially--gee I only need to book a room for2-nights not 4: Woh-now I will need to change my ticket for a 150.00 fee, or I could stay the 2 x-tra nights and take out a sailor who's family couldn't come------I just don't get the logic of this??? other than they don't want the kids to have this in their heads before the hardest challenges. I have already prepared myself for this. My gut tells me he will probably go. Even a few hours will be worth it--but then again we can only"hug briefly", no hand-holding, and moms or g.f.'s may hold onto left arm "gently", so right arm is free--to salute. These are part of all the public edd. rules for sailors on leeave,homecoming,etc. Well enjoy your son every min. you have, and have a good trip. I am also praying no-moreee snooooow, as it snowing out again now. Glor,N.J.

[Clarissa]

My son is also ship 7 div104. We are from Arizona. I have a flight at like 11:30 am on Thursday the 25th. From what I read here I will not get the call till Thursday 8-9am. Doesn't leave much time to change anything. I can't wait to see my son as I am sure the rest of you feel the same way.. He is a section leader.. God bless them all..

[True Grit]

The Second Half of Boot Camp
You've reached the home stretch at this point, with four more weeks to go! Here's what you'll do during the second half of boot camp:

1.Week Five - More classes, more training, and a lot more PT. By this point you've learned how to do everything the way the Navy wants you too, and though you may not feel like it -- you've changed. Rigorous training and a restricted diet, a fast paced and active training style in and out of the classroom, and a behavioral structure deeply rooted in forming a team bond between you and up to 100 total strangers have all contributed to your change, and in most cases this change is for the best.
2.Week Six - Fire fighting training, and shipboard damage control classes. This week you will learn how to put fires out, how to properly don fire safety gear in case you must fight a fire onboard ship, how to open and close watertight doors, and operate fire fighting equipment. This week also finds you and your shipmates inside the gas chamber, being exposed to tear gas while you and everyone else recites name and social security number. You will also go through the confidence course again, further solidifying the concept of teamwork and comraderie.
3.Week Seven - At this point, you're nearly finished with boot camp. Excitement sets in and now you're ready for the final test: Battle Stations. Battle Stations is a twelve hour event held to test your entire division on how well you've absorbed everything you've learned so far. If you are present at the call for Battle Stations, this means you have successfully passed all academic and physical challenges presented to you up to this point, and are ready for this final test. You will be pushed to the very brink here, and will find that once it is over and you stand in the finishing room, dirty, beyond weary, emotional and drained. All that fades away as the Commanding Officer in charge of RTC Great Lakes comes in to personally congratulate you, presenting you and your division with your new status as a United States Sailor -- your Navy ball cap.
4.Week Eight - Graduation/Pass and Review. Aside from everything mentioned above, part of your training has been in drill and ceremony. That portion of your training will come in to play here, where you march proudly, shoulders squared and with a bolstered confidence before friends, family, and thousands of supportive individuals from all walks of life. There is nothing like it in the whole world. DON"T FORGET TO BRING THE KLEENEX

[True Grit]

Parking passes will be available here :

http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/upcoming_grads.asp

The gate is on Berkley/Route 137 at Illinois Street.

You can find out a lot by reading the post PIR for Dummies

[Clarissa]

So if the graduation is set for the 26th of this month then They should be in battlestations now correct? When should we expect a call? I am so confussed.. And worried.

[True Grit]

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.

[Clarissa]

I didn't get a password?

[True Grit]

go look on the back of the first letter your sailor sent you its a pre-printed letter that they just filled in info in pencil it should have come just after the box

[Clarissa]

got it thanks...

[True Grit]

Got two letters in today's mail so you all should be getting some news as well Ok according to my daughters its official they did earn their fourth flag for drill assessment so now they are allowed to march on base without supervision. Out of mutual respect I will open the other when my my spouse get home later today. More snow here about 6 inches since this morning