PIR Stories

[TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)]

Well I wanted to give my account of our PIR weekend. First off, it was amazing, EVERYONE should try to go, it will mean A GREAT DEAL to your Sailor and you will always remember that weekend for the rest of your life. Lessons Learned:

1. If you are a “Debit Card” user, then make sure you understand both the hotel and rental cars will charge your card for over what was quoted for some new federal mandated card requirement. It’s ok if you plan on it but we hadn’t, so just beware of these fees. Hotel was $100.00 extra Rental Car was $200.00, it is no problem but remember it takes your bank time to reconcile the funds.

2. The Residence Inn in Waukegan is GREAT. It has plenty of room for everyone. To include once your Sailor wants to hang out in the room. The Breakfast’s are good, and they have a buffet style dinner the night before the PIR. The facilities are GREAT, they even have a large guest laundry one on each floor. Also dishes/pot and pans in their small but functional kitchen. The room was 740 square feet, with 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a pull out sofa bed in a small living area. Both bedrooms have queen sized beds, my husband is 6’6” so it was a little tight for us but we managed.

3. Use the PIR Shuttles WORTH IT, as you only have to walk through the gate, just inside to the PIR Hall, less than 100 yards, no long lines to deal with trying to get onto Base. Sailor’s directing your way once inside the gate and outside.

4. From what we were told only use the yellow and orange cabs/PIR Shuttles as they are not going to rip you off with a “long ride around.”

5. If your Sailor is a Saturday Departure, GO WITH THEM TO THE AIRPORT, if at all possible. We were able to see him interact with his new Shipmates and hear more stories about his Boot Camp experience. My husband did not go, but me and his Fiancée did. I wouldn’t trade this time with him for the world. He had to be there at 0100 hours, we got there about an hour later, they were still dividing up into departure groups so we had plenty of time before we all had to go through security which opens at 0500, the security was no problem either, they let us though with a GATE PASS. This was at Midway. Once our Sailor was handed his boarding pass, we just handed the Ticketing people our ID’s (must be a driver’s license or STATE ID card). The reason I mention this is because we had “military ID’s” and they didn’t want us using these. I also was able to get photos of the people that he hung out with during Boot Camp. This is a MUST. Please do this if you can even if you get little or NO sleep. His Fiancée and I only got 3 HOURS sleep, but we did this, and it was worth every moment.

6. Book the extra day on Sunday even if you have to be back at work early on Monday, stay AS LONG as you can “just in case” they get longer on liberty. You may think that the RTC is trying to prevent you from seeing your new Sailor, but they are trying to save the government money, by shipping them out as quickly as they can. It costs the military more money when they are in a training environment. I had to be back to work on Monday at 0700, and got back into my house Sunday at 2330, but again it was worth the LACK OF SLEEP, to see my new Sailor.

7. We used Budget Rental Car Service, after we returned the car, they gave us a discount but they didn’t tell us about it up front as it is not advertised. Shhhhhh LOL.

8. Don’t make plans, let your new Sailor lead the way on what he/she wants to do; this after all is their weekend. Do have options for them. If their favorite food is let’s say Korean Food, well have the directions already for these places it makes it easier to make “quick” plans and to adjust.

If I can think of anything else, I will let you know.

[dcookie27]

Hi there, I loved your story, lots of helpful tips.  I am flying into Midway airport with my hubs on 03/22 and am so confused about where to stay and how to get to the PIR et cetera.    I have questions.  how do you find out how long they have and should you include them in your hotel package, meaning can they stay over?  

should you rent a car to get from the airport to the base Midway is about an hour and a half from the base I am told.   and if you rent a car do you need passes to get into the graduation ceremony, I am confused with all of this, and listenin]g to others is most helpful.  thx cookie

[lemonelephant]

dcookie27, No, your Sailor cannot stay overnight. Your Sailor's length of Liberty will depend on where he is going for "A" School. Since your SR will be going to San Antonio for "A" School, you will have Friday after PIR until sometime in the evening when he must return to the RTC and then you will be able to meet him at the airport and spend time with him until his flight.  PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend (clickable link) will give you more info on that.

Chicago’s Midway International Airport is located 45 miles from RTC. Of course, heavy traffic can increase that time some. It is up to you about the car rental. Yes, if you drive onto the RTC, you will need to print off the vehicle/gate pass using the password in the form letter.  The vehicle/gate pass will be available about 11 days before PIR to download at http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp. You will need proof of insurance and the rental agreement. You also need ID for each person in the car when you get to the gate, but you need that anyway when you check in at the Visitors Center to get into the Drill Hall.

[SRMom]

This is awesome advice!  Thank you!  It so helps because we were going to rent a car and drive to the graduation and you have saved me from that!  Also, the hotel information...awesome!

[lemonelephant]

Having your own car at PIR gives you more freedom than using a taxi or shuttle and if you arrive at the RTC when the gates open at 6:30 you won't be in the traffic line as long as you would if you planned on arriving even 30 minutes later.  If you take a shuttle or taxi, you will have about a 100 yard walk from the gate to the Visitor's Center and those who drive will be parked in the garage adjacent to the Visitiors Center. There are pros and cons for both. You have to decide what is best for you.

[1sailorsmom]

Hi, getting my flight now for march 22 graduation. Was told it's better to fly into ohare that it is closer to graduation. Is this true? Was thinking of getting room at America's anyone stay there recently? Thanks for all of the helpful stuff here. New to all of this myself.

[lemonelephant]

Yes, O'hare is closer, but not by much.  There are 3 airports close to the RTC, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport--ORD (located 30 miles from RTC), Chicago’s Midway International Airport--MDW (located 45 miles from RTC) and Milwaukee County’s General Mitchell International Airport--MKE (located 50 miles from RTC). Check the fares into and out of each of the airports. Some have indicated that they found less expensive fares to and from Milwaukee while others have found the best deals in and out of Midway.

The discussion, Recommended Places to Stay, within PIR Reference Information may give you some ideas about where to stay.

[JTFsubmom]

Thank you for the great information....I have a while before PIR but it's good to know what to plan for.  Congratulations!

[proudmom63]

has anyonestayed or made reservations at the courtyard by marriott in waukeegan/ gurnee?  wondering if its nice and how the shuttles run