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.

[CRF230dad]

ET Nuke Mom I'm confused about the "Debit Card" thing. I have never heard of that. Most debit cards have Mastercard or Visa logos and look no different than regular credit cards. With a debit card they get their money right away so why should there be an additional cost?

[TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)]

Debit Cards are not considered Credit Cards, so they charge an extra fee, like a "deposit" if you are paying cash.  Hence having to pay more than the total bill, in case you leave w/o checking out or damage something while you are there.

[TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)]

You are very welcome!

[TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)]

Check the boards that talk about the hotels, I know while a lot of the hotels have swimming pools, Our Sailor graduated during the month of March and it was cold, I am not sure of the ones with indoor pools either.

 

Most hotels offer shuttle services, but some for more money than others.

 

Residence Inn or Holiday Inn & Suites are great.

[CrazyNavyMom(NukeET-GC,SC)]

My son was in a 900 division and also a Nuke.  There will be all kinds of "rumors" of when they will leave after PIR... and you never really know till you get there.  My sons group was told they would be staying in GL till tuesday but then ended up shipping out Saturday at 0600...so very little time with him.  I had made reservations to stay from Thursday to Sunday and after he left on Saturday morning I was a mess the rest of the time, stranded in GL without him...  All in all...I have loved the journey with my navy son..  I wish I would have had my eyes more open before I planned my trip though.  In my case, my son in a 900 division, not marching or performing, he worked thru the graduation... then of course shipped out early the next morning to Goose Creek SC-..I kinda think I would have saved my money and flown to SC to spend time with him.  He had two weeks before he classed up out there..  Chicago in march was not much much, but SC would have been better...      Please be prepared, the things you think will happen, might not... you might have more time or less time.  I will say I am glad I went, for one big reason..... I got to meet all the moms, wives, husbands, sisters, etc at the meet and greet.  IT WAS SO WORTH IT.. i love my group...we were together thru this all, and are still in communication with each other atleast weekly.    I used Sarge for my transportation to and from the airport and he saved me a bunch of money on taxi fares...  We were a small PIR so we drove to the graduation in a friends car and got there early.  We at Chicago deep dish pizza at someplace with a strange name (so strange I cant remember it, but everyone raves about it)...it was the best thing I have ever eaten...  We stayed at the Ramada Inn, and it was great and thats where the meet and greet is held also.   oh, and go walk around the NEX that is off base, it is larger and alot of fun to see  what they have there.  We were there in March so we had snow and icky stuff... I hope you are there during nicer weather.

[TxLadyJane(ET Nuke Mom)]

Was yours in Div 917 too? Did you go to the Airport?  Yes my son had to wait 2 weeks to class up too once he got to Goose Creek, we atcually got to see him Memorial Day weekend he got a special Chit to come home due to grades and such.

[rebecca(paris's mom)]

Thanks for all of the great information.  My SR's PIR is 6/10 and I am so excited to see her.

[rebecca(paris's mom)]

Can you give any information on the easy way around RTC. I have seen some many posts about RTC, where to park for PIR, how far of a walk to the drill hall, etc. but their PIR experiences were from about a year ago.  Was your PIR more recent?

[MDFJD2000]

I had my first real phone call with my daughter today.  She said they are telling them that everybody will be leaving for A school on Saturday now (at least since some time in March).  Is that true?  My daughter is also in a 900 division.  Do I understand correctly that they have designated seating for the various divisions?

[SailorMom92 (DIV 244)]

great info. thanks

[GMom]

When I see posts about the actual ceremony at PIR I get a little confused.  How can you figure out a "meeting place" for afterwards with your sailor if you have never been there before?  If I had been in the hall before I would probably be able to find a sign or landmark....any suggestions about what you write my son about meeting up with us and finding us?

[NavyArmyMarineMom]

I am wondering about the seating for the PIR... are all placed on a Sailor's access list to be seated together in a designated area?