PIR Reference Information

A permanent place for information about PIR. Forum discussions have been created to serve as file folders for specific details regarding different aspects of PIR. Please post information in the appropriate forum discussion. Thank you!

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  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    The number on the RTC's site for the Public Affairs Office is 847-688-2405, why not call them in the morning and get the information from them :)

  • purplegiraffe69

    jenideer:      was it hand written, it probably was supposed to be Sept. 28th?  You should post this in the bootcamp forum, so you will see other moms posting that they are the same division.....?

  • NavyMomNurse

    Is anyone in ship 4 div 820

  • blythe9041

    My son didn't graduate 8/10 due to medical reasons. 'Im curios if he will have battle station and PIR opportunity. Will family be allowed? Someone mentioned pushing them out quickly once hes completed run to get on to nuke school

  • lemonelephant

    blythe9041, if he has been moved to the RCU this late, no he will not have PIR, but yes, he will be given the chance to pass any tests that he still needs and then have BS-21 with another division and then he will be sent off to A School as soon as it can be arranged and you may be able to visit with him there once that is permitted. Any other questions you have about how that works can be answered in the group, SHIP 04 DIV 2341, which I see you have joined.

  • abbyblue

    NEW MEMBER HELP DESK.

    Q&A. Boot Camp Videos, Recruit TC Link, Sample Form Letter, Navy Acronyms & more.

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

  • Navymassmomship13div313

    Can any veteran mom or dad let me know the following: our SR is having PIR on 9/28 . We have a few questions. 1. What is the suggested attire for this? 2. When do we wear the division shirts? Do people wear them to PIR etc. when do we wear the Ribbons? What time do you suggest for us to get to base the morning of PIR? Please help. We want to make this day less stressful as possible I am a very bad worry wart any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
  • Dakota's Mom

    You will see everything from jeans and tshirts to formal dresses at PIR. I didn't see anyone with a division tshirt but I didn't order one so I didn't pay much attention to that. You wear your ribbons to PIR. I would suggest getting there early. We arrived at 6:30 am and were able to sit on the floor. It fills up quickly so if you come later you might be in the balcony. Be prepared to stand and walk a lot! I had on heals and I was dying by the end of the day.
  • lemonelephant

    Navymassmom, be sure to join the group for your SR's PIR date, PIR 09/28/2012 TG 46 — 13 Divisions (307–316, 819, 820 & 946). As Dakota's Mom said, you will se everything as far as clothes at PIR. I suggest you wear business casual or dressy church wear with comfortable shoes. You will be seated in metal bleachers so keep that in mind. Also remember that your Sailor will be in dress whites so consider the occasion and what you want to look like in pictures.  Some do wear the division T-shirts to PIR, but a few have later said that they felt underdressed by doing so and I totally agree.  Save the T-shirts for other times when you are out and about.  You can wear the PIR ribbons anytime beginning the night before at the Meet and Greets (there is info on the 3 of them in your PIR group, but Sarge’s is getting the best reviews lately).  The gates open at 6:30 am and there will already be a line to get in.  Traffic gets worse the closer it gets to PIR time and with 13 divisions in that TG, traffic is going to be bad, so get there early.

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    I absolutely agree with lemon elephant, well put.  Appropriate wear is business casual (slacks - not jeans - or skirt and nice top) or dressy church.  Wearing t-shirts is too casual and disrespectful of the sailors, their instructors and the command officers in their dress uniforms.  

  • Navymassmomship13div313

    Thank you for so much information I have text sarge already, I am a member of the PIR for 9/28 I just wanted to confirm with a veteran mom to be sure. I love this site a butt load of information .
  • ProudLadyOfA1337Guy

    Also, we took the shuttle to graduation instead of driving, the car line was so long, by the time we got there we were maybe 15 feet from the gate because the shuttle was so much quicker! We also dressed nicely. His mom and dad were in slacks and nice shirts, and I wore dress capris and a nice dress shirt. I wore some dress sandals as well because we were told we would do a lot of walking that day. I highly recommend wearing some comfortable, but dressy, shoes. If you are comfortable wearing heels go for it, but if it's not your normal type of shoe doooon't do it lol. His mom had nice shoes but they weren't what she normally wears and she got some blisters by the end of the day =(.

  • abbyblue

    NEW MEMBER HELP DESK.

    Q&A. Boot Camp Videos, Recruit TC Link, Sample Form Letter, Navy Acronyms & more.

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

    check it out

    SmileyCentral.com

  • Sandymomto3

    Looking for info from any parents that had a SR graduate(recently) that headed to Charleston after PIR.  Our PIR date is 10-5 and we are trying to arrange our departure flights and are torn between Saturday evening or Sunday.  Any feedback would be great.  Thanks.

  • lemonelephant

    Sandymomto3, only your Sailor will know his particular flight details. Know that even Sailors who are going to the same A School may be on different flights or fly from different airports depending on flight availability. Sailors usually fly out on Saturday, but flight availability issues could cause a Sailor to fly out on Sunday instead. Also, all of the Sailors are taken to the airport at the same time regardless of flight time, so your Sailor could be at the airport for a short time or several hours. If you are able to fly out on Sunday, then do so that you will have the most time with your Sailor. Send your SR a note card to write down the flight details for you and give to you after PIR.

  • Sandymomto3

    Thank you for your help.  We are hoping for an airport delivery of his cell phone so hanging out at the airport would be fine with us.  

  • Whit and Stephen's Mom (Ann)

    I spent all day at O'Hare with my daughter.  If you get there when they check in, you can get a pass to get through security and sit with them until their flight leaves.  I was there at 5:30 AM and her flight didn't leave until 4:30 PM.  It was worth it!

  • mom2e. CTI

    Can someone please let me know where I can buy the ribbons everyone is talking about. My son is Ship 13 Div 314. PIR 9/28. Thank you!
  • ellen0502

    mom2e, here is the link to Lalas page message her and she will send you the information.

    http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/Lala?xg_source=profiles_memberList

  • darcy (Ship 2 Div. 947)

    Lemonelephant:  Can you elaborate on the "note card" suggestion for flight information.  I am a little confused exactly what that means. 

    thanks!

  • lemonelephant

    darcy, just send your recruit an index card or other small card to write the flight details on.  The recruit can then put it in his/her pocket to give to you following PIR so the information does not get mixed up.  Some Sailors and parents have been so excited to see each other that they have forgotten to get the info and Sailors have sometimes forgotten which airport they are flying from.

  • lemonelephant

    If you wanted to put something on the index card, you could put the following:

    Name of Airport:

    Approximate arrival time at airport:

    Date and time of flight:

    Airline:

    Flight number:

    Best place to meet (if known):

  • Stephanie (S-PACT/Yokosuka,JP)

    I just need to clarify the age limit for a child to not be included on the PIR access list and still get into the ceremony. I have a disabled daughter who will turn 12 September 20th. My SR's PIR date is September 28th. My daughter is also in a wheelchair. First, I had thought children 12 and under were allowed in without being on the list. In fact, I saw a post just now that says it quoted the RTC website saying, "12 and under." But I looked at the RTC website and it says "children under 12." Now I'm worried. My son didn't include her on the list because we thought she would not need to be on the list to be allowed in. Now I'm not sure. Also, is there a place for wheelchair seating and will an adult be able to sit there with her? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You.

  • lemonelephant

    Your daughter will get in without being on the access list.  (See page 2 of the Family Guide.)  Yes, there are places for wheelchairs and one family member will be able to sit with her and the others will need to sit in the stands.  Choose the handicapped seating area that is closest to the sign for your SR's division.  Have your handicapped placard hanging from the mirror when you enter the RTC and you will be directed to handicapped parking, which will make things a little easier for you.

  • Stephanie (S-PACT/Yokosuka,JP)

    Thank you, lemonelephant. I had a moment of panic last night when I decided to double check things and saw contradicting information.
  • lemonelephant

    huskylms, you are so welcome.  This is one less worry for you and I am glad I could help.

  • lisafriess (Norfolk Sub)

    Paging IndyMom.  Just saw you are from my hometown so I PM'd and friend requested you.  Saw your profile pick but it ain't ringing any bells :)  Class of '85.

  • cynthia/Matt'smom@SanDiego/FN

    I recently saw a post where it was  said that you had to have the private word to enter the gate at the base as well as another for something else.  Does anyone have any clarification on this, because our Initial letter only gave us the one private word to use.  thank you!

  • lemonelephant

    cynthia/Matt'smom, the password that you need to get the vehicle/gate pass is in the form letter--the letter that had the PIR date and names of up to 4 people your SR planned to put on the Access list.  That is the only password you will need.  Go to http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp and click on the link to print the vehicle pass.  Remember that the password should be typed in all uppercase letters.  You will need to handwrite the information on the pass.

  • cynthia/Matt'smom@SanDiego/FN

    Thank you lemonelephant!  I have already done so, but when i saw  that post I was a little confused, but that's easy to do these days with all we have been through lately lol!!  I appreciate your quick response!

  • cincymom1/VirginiaBeach

    Resd something about gift of a challenge coin. What is it? Trying to think of a gift for my son.
  • Robin - Nuke ET

    Cincymom1...I have ordered challenge coins from Northwest Territorial Mint.  In fact, I just received the one for Third Class Petty Officer for my son's graduation from A School next Friday!  So excited to make another trip to Charleston to see him and then he's home for 10 days!!  I'm a happy mom...good luck to you and your son!

  • cincymom1/VirginiaBeach

    Thanks Robin. I'll look into that once my son completes A school.
  • Robin - Nuke ET

    Cincymom1..They have all types of coins.  I bought my son his first one after bootcamp. 

  • SheilaD

    Robin-Nuke ET class 1228-  HI!  I had bought my son a commemorative coin @ bootcamp graduation, at the NEX.  Can you tell me how to order the other challenge coins? My son is HT-FA and is on the USS Boxer.  Thanks!

  • Robin - Nuke ET

    Hi SheilaD...I bought one of those at PIR too.  I think the coins may be more for me than for my son. LOL I like the ones at Northwest Territorial Mint. Here is the site: http://nwtmint.com/   I have so much to learn.  What is HT-FA?

  • dohnermom

    Where do you get the division t shirts from? I know about the ribbons already.
  • lemonelephant

    The website to order the Division T-Shirts online is http://usnavytees.com/Home_Page.php or go to http://www.mwrgl.com/gen_info/rtc_graduation/div_tshirt_order_6_201....  Your SR may have ordered one or more, so check before ordering.

  • Adam'smom

    My son just had his PIR on 9/12/12. It was the most amazing experience. I noticed that there were professional photographers taking pictures during the PIR and would love to purchase a video of the ceremony. I have searched and searched for  information on this and obviously am not looking in the right place! Any suggestions?

     

     

     

  • Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom

    It truly is amazing, isn't it!?  I found the following here:  http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/faq_family.asp, scroll down to the question "Can I order a DVD of my son's graduation from boot camp?" and click the "+" sign.  It says:

    Please verify with your recruit that a DVD has not been ordered by them prior to placing your request.

    To order a DVD of your Recruit's PIR, please provide the following information:

    Recruit's Name
    Division Number
    Date of Pass-In-Review Ceremony
    Return Address (Sorry, No P.O. Box or Overseas Addresses Please)
    Daytime Phone Number

    For prices and additional information, please contact the Navy Exchange Photographic Services Office at 847-578-6205.

  • Erika314

    Hello everyone and Congratulations to all your Sailors!! We just got home from our PIR 11/16.. It was wonderful, we went to Sarge's meet and greet and used the valuable information he provided, we were able to sit front row infront of our son's DIV! Also we only had one day with our Sailor, but we made the most of it, he wanted to eat at Chili's and we were there with many other families and their Sailors. As well, we went to Lake Bluff Beach, it was 5 minutes from the Navy Lodge. We took pictures at the Lake and it was beautiful (see my new profile pic). Also we stayed at the Navy Lodge and we had a suite. Their suites are new and all 6 of us were able to stay together with plenty of room and a kitchenette (when you call you need to press zero, because only this Navy Lodge has suites and you need to talk to their front desk). Have a wonderful time!!! HOOYAH!

  • toniasmom

    Congratulations to you and your Sailor!  Our PIR is 11/30.  Can't believe it's almost here, so exciting.  Thank you for sharing your experience.

  • Sean'sMom SHIP 11 DIV 050

    Good morning all..I have a question about traveling to PIR. Our son graduates 01/04/2013. There will be 7 traveling in our group from lansing, MI, to waukegan, IL. by train. Like most families today,we are a split family.
    My question is. We know we get a Military dis. For the hotel, but we all are paying separate. Can we still get the discount for all. Even tho we will not be paying with same CC? Thanks for your time...
  • lemonelephant

    You only get a military discount for anyone who is millitary in your party and only for rooms paid for by that person.  There are discounts at some of the hotels for PIR and if that is what you refer to, then all of the rooms can receive that discount even if they are paid for by more than one guest.

  • SailorV'sWife

    Can someone explain how the Navy Lodge works? I've read all you need is Ship and Div #, I read your SR has to sign you up ahead of time, I've read you have to have them go to the lodge at some point during their liberty...I'm confused! How does it work? 

  • PR Mami Ship 12 Div 348

    SailorV'swife, all I had to provide at Navy Lodge was the parking pass which includes your SR's name, ship, division & date of PIR. U will be able to print it once closer to graduation. Navy Lodge is affordable, so well equipped and roomy! Front desk will hand u necessary info, a map and answer all your questions. They are awesome!!
  • SailorV'sWife

    thank you PR Mami

  • PR Mami Ship 12 Div 348

    SailorV'swife, you're welcome! Let me know if I can be of further help.
  • navymom93 (Ship 12 / Div 061)

    Please note the following:  The following RTC policy will be enforced for all graduations beginning with the January 4th, 2013 PIR.  ALL GUESTS, including Active Duty/Retired Military Personnel, and those aged three and older MUST be on the access list. (Please note: Children two and under do not need to be on the access list.)

    I know for us that means that our daughter no longer has an extra ticket.

  • 985cat ship 14 div 065

    Anyone on here have a son on ship 14 division 065. I just got word from his recruiter on his PIR. January 18th, 2013..but still waiting on the official packet.