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Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on January 4, 2012 at 9:57pm

You are welcome...and Thank you My son for referring the new Mom! Just as an extra there is a "DEP leaving for Boot Camp in January" group on here as well as Boot Camp Moms. Those are great places to start before she gets a PIR group. New Members Start Here is good too.

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/leavinforbootcampinjanuary

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/bootcampmoms

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/newmomsstophere

Comment by My son (ship 09, Div 023) on January 4, 2012 at 9:44pm

Thanks to all the veteran Moms and all the supportive folks for TG 06. I depended on this site for EVERYTHING related to bootcamp. Now, I am referring a new Mom here as her son leaves on Jan 9. I remember the first week or two...WOW it was so hard! Then, Hell Week, Battlestations...and finally PIR. It has been a wonderful roller coaster. Thanks Navy for MOMS!!!

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on January 4, 2012 at 9:00pm

You guys are making me cry! What wonderful stories...all of you!

I love hearing the after PIR stories! I was so thankful for getting those extra days with my son (he was originally supposed to leave the next day but didn't have to until Sunday...plus we had a Thursday PIR)...who knew he would be gone for 7 months after BC rather than 5....it was a blessing.

I have never met Sarge...when he started his Meet and Greets a few of the moms got the ball rolling on here and one mom Invisible12 typed all the info for her PIR group...I rewrote it and "carried the torch" for his M & G info. So I have only texted with him. One time he let me know when the moms were coming out of PIR. I try to keep him updated on wether or not a PIR group is small or large as there were some small ones when he first started and head count was low. He texted me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!

It is comforting to know that there is "someone" for you all there when you get to GL.

Comment by RuthL on January 4, 2012 at 8:12pm

Sarge was a life saver for me.  He knew when we met at the meet and greet that we drove and my friend that was there is from Chicago. I ended up having him pick Jami up New Year’s Eve, we originally planned New Year’s Morning, but she was worried about checking back on base.  We had no idea where to take her.  Because he was that night he could not walk her in gate, but called a friend on base to meet her and help her with all her things.  When I told him that I gave my daughters number to call if she needed a ride to our friends house (40 minutes away) he explained to her how to use the Metro and what to do.  Jami called me when she got back to base and told me that he gave her so much helpful information, and the sailor he had meet her, not only helped her check in, but also helped her carry her sea bag and other luggage right to where she was staying.  He was also very patient and reassuring to me, the bawling mother in the middle of the street, even thought it was a busy holiday night.

Not wanting me to be taken advantage of and not to my knowledge, my friend’s family called a few other cab companies to check prices.  He was by FAR the cheapest and I am sure there is not another one that would have had someone waiting to help my girl and given this crazy mom a pep talk.  He was extremely sensitive to her father and I needing that time to say goodbye again and never rushed us. 

He did market his company at the meet and greet, but I think it was meant more as a service.  I truly believe from my phone conversations and interactions with him, he really has a heart for these kids and their families.  He was a true blessing to my family. 

The meet and greet was a blast.  I have to say I have not had that much fun in a very long time.  Free food, cheap drinks, and GREAT Company.  It was so nice to finally meet everyone and talk face to face.  Once again, LALA’s ribbons were a huge help.  

Comment by Batmansmom531 on January 4, 2012 at 7:28pm

Hello Navy family; I am FINALLY able to come up for air, the last 3 weeks have been so busy and I have been so overwhelmed with out of town guests, PIR, our son coming home for a few days and fighting a kidney infection.  But I can offer our experience of PIR from the time Sarge picked us up at O'Hare until he dropped us off on 12/29 with our Sailor.  We were originally going to rent a car, but decided against it, and were SO glad we did. I sent Sarge an email the day before our trip, and he texted me at 4:00AM (our flight was to land in Chicago at 8:05 AM)  He was GREAT!  Arrived before us, advised us what door to exit through so we wouldn't have to walk too far in the cold, and even served as a tour guide as he drove us to our hotel.  (I originally booked us at the Navy Lodge because of their low rate, but Sarge suggested Springhill Suites and we were not disappointed) Springhill is walking distance to the Sundance Saloon, Walmart, Chili's, and other shopping/eating venues. They have a great hot breakast (navy families eat at 6am to accommodate PIR) King size bed, cable TV, great size room very clean for a great rate. They also have the shuttle to PIR for $6.00 round trip PP.  Sarge met us at the hotel at 6:AM and took us through MLK Blvd right up to the gate and avoided 2 miles of traffic (yes by 6:30 a.m. the line was quite long)  Also, checkout at the hotel was 12:00, and we were unsure of the time we would be done at PIR.  Sarge offered to hold onto our luggage as opposed to leaving with hotel concierge.  We waited behind about 35 people for 20 minutes, they stamped out hands and asked for I'D.  Once inside......what an experience!!  I cried, smiled, sighed and cried some more....I couldn't wait for Liberty to be called so I could hug my SAILOR/my son. I wished all of my kids could have been there, but x-mas and airline fares made it an impossible task. I can't thank all of the Veteran Mothers enough for your advice, words of encouragement, and tips to making that day SPECTACULAR.   

Sarge's services were outstanding, although he might have come across as trying to market his business..(which he may) my impression is that he genuinely cares about the families, Sailors and the whole PIR experience.  The Meet N Greet was great....I spoke with another family there who ended up paying $150 for their cab.  $75.00 for cab + $25 for occupants ($5.00 per person) and $50 for their luggage ($10 per bag).  Sarge only charged us $50.00, and he even said if there had been another family, he would allow us to split the cost.  At the meet n greet he offered tips on leaving early for PIR, road to take to avoid traffic, and other great info.  He picked us up with our Sailor, and got us to the airport early - which enabled us to be put on the same flight with our Sailor.

All in all....I don't have anything to complain about......except that my son will be leaving on Sunday for A-school. I wish I could keep him longer.  

Comment by diannep on January 4, 2012 at 5:16pm

ArNavyMom:  Thanks so much for sharing this.  Things have changed a bit since I used the shuttle up there 2 yrs ago apparently.  We were dropped off at Buckley Main Gate, ID checked in gatehouse, and then we didn't have to go through another gate.  Just headed over to PIR hall...but I think showed ID at hall entrance and got hand stamped.

So disappointed to hear that about SARGE.  That certainly is not the purpose of the MeetNGreet.  He recently started that...just a few weeks ago.  Before that, we just passed along his name/number for those needing transportation.  I will say that the reports we have received from those who have used his services have always been "positive". 

Thank you Ruth ..for your info! 

Comment by ArNavyMom on January 4, 2012 at 8:42am

Good morning Navy family.  Where do I start?  How about the early morning arrival to GL for PIR.  Though we rented a car, we used the black & orange shuttle to take and bring us back from PIR.  $3 per person and they didn't charge for or Sailor on the return to hotel.  We were dropped off at gate next to Metro Train (?) about 6:25a.  No wait getting through first gate...even though their were several in line.  ID was requested.  Not real happy with the young Sailors eyeing my son's girlfriend...the momma bear in me almost came out! lol  I quickly composed myself and proceeded across the drive and into the next gate.  (directly outside the hall!)  We were about 25 people from front of line.  A Sailor came thru and checked ID and this time with a stamp.  Stopped right at us as the doors were opened for all to enter at 6:45a.  At that point our ID's were checked again and were "checked off the list as present".  Once in we quickly found Div021 section and parked it!  The ceremony was amazing.  None like I've ever seen.  The moment that garage door opened and I knew my son's division was the first out, tears of joy surfaced.  I spotted him right away.  (he's over 6 ft so it wasn't that hard!)  It was a wonderful day and very organized which made things a lot easier for all of us.  VETERAN MOM"S and CRAIG - thank you for all the information and for guiding us along the way.  Y'all are the best!

 

One last thing, Loved the Meet & Greet at the Sundance Saloon but was not too impressed with Sarge.  It appeared to me that he was more concerend about soliciting business for himself and his one cab driver than anything.  Anyone else get that vibe?  Nonetheless the M&G was a good time. 

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on January 4, 2012 at 4:36am

Thank you Ruth!

Comment by Presleysmom on January 4, 2012 at 3:41am

My son is an ET and is in A school at Great Lakes. He was in div 021. Anyone else?

Comment by RuthL on January 3, 2012 at 11:23pm

We were there at 6:30am and came in on Ohio.  Words of advice, STAY TO THE RIGHT! People were not liking the people trying to sneak in on the left and saw one person pulled over for trying to bump in.  I stayed with a native Chicago friend so we had no problem getting there.  They only asked for the drivers ID at the gate along with all the vehicle information.  Once in, we went to a parking deck where we were greeted by many men and woman in uniform to guide us where we needed to go.  I got chosen for the random security check which was no problem and took about 10 seconds.  Once you get to the individual check you will need to have your ID ready.  Then we were in.  Glad we got there early because we got great seat.  I would recomend taking some cash for snack, drinks, and of course coffee.  Everything was very well organized and if you follow directions, very easy. 

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