Some helpful hint

[Mittmedicx]

My son graduated in the Navy last June 16. The reason I am posting this is so that the moms out there will be fully informed about PIR date. In as much as we want to know everything there are times we still don't. We knew all along that my son will graduate on June 16 base on the letter that we received from him. You know? that letter that is pre- made and all recruits have to mail it to their parents 2 days after they arrive in Great Lakes. However in our case it was already June 13 and we still don't know if he was going to make it because I never receive the I'M A SAILOR call yet. Nonetheless we drove 16 hours and took the chance. Anyway, to make the long story short, our son called us in the afternoon of June 13 saying that he pass the final test which is the battle station. I could hardly hear him. He said his division did not sleep for 2 days and that he lost his voice but nonetheless very happy. I would like to tell you that they conduct battle station as late as the night before their graduation. One of his fellow recruit during the time failed the battle station with them and ended up being sent to a battle station the night before graduation. What I am trying to say is....unless you receive a call I am a sailor it's hard to really just expect that he/she is really graduating on the date he/she gave you. I know they say no news is good news but it also puts the family in a dark situation....

[Kim]

When our son was in bootcamp in 2009, we never received the call "I'm a Sailor" either.  I think he was up all day and night too, because someone in his group was having difficulty following instructions and didn't pass.  He thought because he didn't make the call to us that we wouldn't be at the graduation.  I knew in my heart that he would be graduating! When his div marched in he was in the front row and when we made eye contact, he was so happy. 

[1robo1]

Good Afternoon Ladies I'm posting this review to hopefully help moms get ready or prepared for your son/daughters' PIR. First thing is to make sure you have transportation covered. If you're driving your own car that's fine just be ready for ALOT of back and forth to the Great Lakes training grounds. I hired a taxi driver who goes by the name of Super Dave # 847-445-1163. His name barely describes his customer service. He was AWESOME he actually knew everything I needed to know even the times I could be expecting to pick up and drop off my sailor. He was outside my hotel before I was downstairs and if he was running late because of another fare he would either call or text me with the drivers info as well as the color of the vehicle. His rates were right on point. With all the running around you have to do especially if your SR is going to A School in the Great Lakes  you definitely need someone with Daves' knowledge of how the system works. Rest up because it's a long day for sure. Also try to find out from your sailor what they purchased as far as pictures, shirts, coins etc. so you do not buy anything that they already have. However just to see your son/daughter just for the few hours you get them it's totally worth it. Make sure you bring them their phone because once you drop them back on base as long as they're doing their schooling there you can text them all you want. So it's almost like they're just at work and they'll get back to you when they can. But you can shout out to them anytime you feel the need!! The Rainforest Restaurant in the Gurnee Mall allows your sailor to eat free their graduating day so that was a nice surprise and the food was good too. I could go on and on but I won't. Just rest up make sure you have a dependable ride and enjoy every moment even the little ones. It goes by very quickly and you don't want to miss a thing!! Love to all the new navy families out there. It's the absolute proudest part of my life........