PIR Reference Information

can i ask how long it took to receive the letter? thx "-)

lavendergrl8, Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit (clickable link) will give you info on when to expect a letter.  If you look in the paragraph above, you will see how things worked out for families in one division recently.

We received "The Letter"!!!
It is so business like. Nonetheless, we were sooooooo excited and read every line with so much care. We are so very proud of our SR, I experienced BC personally. Somehow this knowledge, makes me smile and tearful at the same time. Too many emotions at once. We love and support our strong, young, and cute SR :)

PIR 03/29/2013 
Ship 02 DIV 920
Is anyone else in this group?

SYNTHIA   just curious- when did your SR arrive at bootcamp? thx :-)

How long does it take for a TG to appear on the upcoming grads page?

SYNTIA, TG 20 should be posted this week. Sometimes they post about the same time people are getting form letters and other times, it takes a while.

The Page, 800 and 900 Divisions, within Boot Camp Moms will be of interest to you since you have a recruit in a performing division. I believe that Division 920 is Sticks/Flags.

PIR 3/29/2013

SHIP 04 DIV 807

My SR left 2-4-2013, I recvd his box 2-7-2013 and the formal letter on

2-8-2013. That was quick!! So many emotions this past week.  I am so proud of my SR ! I'm making my plans to travel, can't decide if flying into Ohare or Milwaukee is best.

luvchrm  you got the letter already? wow i am on  longisland stuck in my house with 3 feet of snow.    what is the PIR date for you? my son also left on the 4th thanks

ooops sorry just saw that 3-29   god i hope mine is too :-)

luvcrhm, it is not uncommon for those with loved ones in an 800 division to receive the form letter and "the box" very close together.  The Page, 800 and 900 Divisions, within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) may have some info for you.

For those of you with loved ones in the 03/29/2013 TG, join the group, PIR 03/29/13 TG 20 - 6 Divisions (clickable link), to connect with others with
loved ones training with your SR.

@ lavendergrl8, I hope you receive your letter soon.  It really helps your spirit to receive "their box" and "formal letter".  Can't wait to receive a written letter from my son.  I'm mailing a letter to him on Monday morning. 

@ lemonelephant, thank you for all your informational post, very helpful !!

thanks   im actually waiting for the mail to arrive ..;-) 

rec'd the "letter: :-) my son PIR is March 29th also luvchrm...he is ship 04 div 807 our boys are together :-) 

AWESOME!!!!!   

@lavendergrl8  Funny how we get so excited about seeing their writing on an envelope! That's great they are in the same ship & division !!

I mailed my letter out to him today. My oldest lives in Illinois, so she sent a letter yesterday with stamps and a calling card.  Hopefully he will receive it this week. We have more than four going to great lakes to see my son.  I was happy he got to list 4 for PIR.  That will be his older brother and two older sisters, he is the youngest of my children.  Then the other family members will get to see him after PIR.

luvcrhm: hi- :-) do you know where you guys are staying? so confusing. :-)

ps: am i alowed to ask what your son's first name is?

Lavendergirl, saw your post and just a comment - you may have to PM last names, as recruits in BC (and sailors later!) often only know each other by last name :) 

lavendergrl8, I'm not sure where we are staying but most likely one of the top 3 or 4 hotels that always seem to be rated well by others on here.  We need to fly out of LAX, and i have two choices for direct flights, either fly into Ohare or Milwaukee.

My daugher lives in between both airports and said Milwaukee is easier to get in and out of but that Ohare is closer to the Naval base.   I plan on staying in Waukegan so that I'm close to the base, only 4-5 miles.

Since our son's are in divison 800 "special Opp' we are not suppose to list their first or last names from what I have read. 

ok  thx :-)  i actually booked the residence inn marriott in waukegan this morn. thurs-sunday. So nice that it's Easter weekend too. :0)

Paula, Tomorrow is Sunday and he will have holiday routine and will be able to write for the first time, so look for a letter this week.  See Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) for more on that.  You may want to join that group and check out the other Pages (found under the pictures of the members) while you are there.

Question where do the shuttles drop you off when going to the PIR?  I am handicapped and walk very slowly with a walker. (can't walk long distances)  Any suggestions?  We understand there is a shuttle from our hotel.

Mamasan59, you may be better off to drive if you have that option.  The shuttle will drop you off at the main gate.  It is about 100 yards to the Visitors Center from the gate and then about the same to the Drill Hall. If you drive, you can park in handicapped parking and get a wheelchair into the Visitors Center and Drill Hall. Sarge may have another suggestion for you.  His cell phone number is 847-212-0246. Be sure to go to his Meet and Greet the night before PIR.

Today is the last day to vote.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, visit my page at http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/lemonelephant and read the Comment Wall. Thanks.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Recruit Man-Ronny.  When voting closed he was ahead, so I hope that when they declare the winner that it is him.  Ronny does a lot for our recruits by providing free phone cards through http://callsforrecruits.org/. While you're thinking about it, if you are able, please make a donation at http://callsforrecruits.org/ to help with the cost of the cards.

Any suggestions when to get the best deep dish pizza?

Can't visit Chicago or GL without deep dish pizza...

sher85, I checked your page and don't see where you posted about photos. We still have a few photos, but we gave the larger ones to important family members along with wallet photos for each and then gave one to special friends and for a few bulletin boards to honor service members.  Division T-Shirts, Graduation Photos, The Keel, and DVD of PIR within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) and the discussion above tell more including about payment.

No, there will not be individual photos again.  Your Sailor will be able to buy a large photo of the class if he wants, but that's about it.  You can double-check that within the Pre-BUD/S Moms group, but that is how it was for mine for "A" School and "C" School.

BeachBunny, Here is the website for The Silo.  That's where we went for pizza.

BeachBunny - you've got to go to Lou Malnati's - downtown Chicago.  The Best deep dish Chicago-style pizza ever!  We loved it!  My husband's been trying to re-create the pizza there at home, but there must be some secret they don't tell you...  Here's the link: 

http://www.loumalnatis.com/

(no offense, Lemonelephant - I"m sure the Silo is good, but my son is stationed in San Diego, and he dreams about going back to Chicago to go to Lou Malnati's...)

Have a wonderful time at PIR and in Chicago! 

SheilaD, we didn't go into Chicago after PIR and the RDC had recommended The Silo.

sher85, I'm glad to help.

lemonelephant-Thanks for the pizza suggestion..I don't know what a clicked on but I got a 50% off coupon of our order...my kind of deal...good food with a discount!

BeachBunny, they may also have a discount for your Sailor, but I don't recall for certain; you can always check.

we arrived extra early but sat a long time but if you want close up you need to get there early there are plenty of spots but if you dont mind sitting long and want a good spot be there i would say 7;30 the latest maybe earlier i sat up in last row of bleachers wish i was up front and we were there  7;30ish

Stephanie, it is a wonderful experience, BUT COLD..get to the PIR as soon as you are able. WE got there at 7:20 am and stood outside for 1 hr+. Dress very warm. And when they open those doors at the end, and you here all that marching, oh boy, WOW,, 

paulah, The doors the the Drill Hall open at 7:00. See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/grad_day.asp.

Stephanie, be there as soon as you can after 6:30 since traffic gets worse the closer you get to PIR time.

All - wanted to get this out there as soon as I returned from my sailor's PIR this past weekend. Was wonderful! However - a rather large blip in the system: the recruits were given the information that anyone 12 and under did not have to be on the access list. I have a 12 yr old and was told this by my recruit so he was not put on the list, but he has 2 older brothers so as the 4 we went with all adults. I then read on the navy bootcamp website that they changed that and it is now 3 and under. I assumed that my recruit had reported back incorrectly however when we were at PIR there were 2 families in our section that received the same information from their sailor and wound up having mother/grandmother sit in the car with the 12 yr olds because they were NOT allowed in. I wanted to make sure this was out there to update people on the correct policy.

otoolio, thanks for bringing it to light that incorrect info is still going out on that within the divisions.  The form letter should have indicated that only those 2 and under can get in without being on the Access List.  That change started taking effect in the fall for some TG's and took effect for all TG's with the 01/04/2013 TG. The RTC's website indicates that "those ages 3 and older must be on the access list" so anyone who prints a gate at http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp should see that info.

I stand by my recommendation of the Spring Hill Suites. The rooms were nice, spacious and clean (suite style), there was an indoor pool (that we had absolutely no time for) and a hot and cold breakfast buffet.  They offer a shuttle to and from PIR for $3/pp each way and it is in a very safe location not far from anywhere.  Navy rate for us was $109/night.  

Ramada

Recruit Man-Ronny has finally been declared the winner.  https://www.facebook.com/GoldToe?sk=app_326649834116987&app_dat....  Thanks for all who voted and a special thanks to Ronny for all he does for the recruits.

We stayed at the Courtyard for the 3/1 PIR.  Booked a suite for $109/night.  Very nice - pool, microwave, mini fridge, two TV's, close by Walmart for any additional needs. Large touch screen  computer in the lobby for directions.  Printed out direction to and from Gurnee Mills - went to Rainforest Cafe. Taxi was $3/person to PIR.  There are regular rooms for $79.  Call the hotel directly and ask for the graduation special - price was $10/night cheaper than the website listed.  They don't charge your card until you arrive.