PIR Reference Information

Our 12 year old came with us.  He had a Kindle with him to play games on the Sundance WiFi.  It went long and he was bored.   Food was great and met a lot of nice people.  There was alot of helpful information given and well worth the trip.

Winski, if you take the shuttle, you will not have to worry about the line to enter the gate.  You will be dropped off at the gate and walk in.  You need to arrive closer to 7 am when the Visitors Center and Drill Hall open if you take a shuttle.

I'm looking for a group with PIR 4/26/2013. Can someone add me to it or send me the link? Thanks!

PIR 04/26/2013 TG 24 - 11 Divisions (157-166 and 924)

Hi Lemonelephant! How about PIR date of 5/3? :)

PIR 05/03/2013 TG 25 - 11 Divisions (167-176 and 925)

Regarding Springhill Suites....  Can you get the shuttle from there to base?  If yes, does it depart early enough?  I want to get there by 0645 latest. Or should i plan on setting up with Sarge?

@Connie, yes, there is a shuttle available from SpringHill. $3/pp each way. Most of them are Sarge's drivers as it is.  There was a 6:30, 6:45, 7:00 shuttles...Probably others but we reserved the 6:45 a.m. shuttle and we were there plenty early enough and our seats for PIR were good. Didn't have to wait outside and the shuttle is the way to go.  You buzz right through security at the base.  

Question: Somewhere along the way our son (a new sailor) was told he couldn't ever go back to RTC, not even to attend a sibling's PIR...is this true?

imomxfour, that is incorrect--well, sort of. If he is in "A" School at GL, he would need a chit to attend and would also have to be on the Access List to attend.

imomxfour, the RTC is a closed base and only those on the Access List for PIR or who are working or training there are permitted to be on the base.

ok, whew!! So our son is in A School in Pensacola, and will graduate sometime in July - supposedly July 2nd, and we figure our daughter will graduate BC either July 19th or most likely July 26th (ship date is May 29th) so we are praying he will able to to attend her PIR. But he keeps saying he was told he could never return to RTC and it just didn't make much sense to us, as to why that would be. So, as long as the timing works out after his graduation - and he is on the access list, he could go, correct?

imomxfour, yes, he would have to be on leave and on the Access List in order to attend.

Here are the current PIR groups:

PIR: Mar 22, 2013  TG 19 - 11 Divisions (121-130 and 919) 4 guests

PIR: Mar 29, 2013  TG 20 - 6 Divisions (131 -134, 807 and 920) 4 guests

PIR: Apr 5, 2013   TG 21 - 10 Divisions (135-142, 808 and 921) 4 guests

PIR: Apr 12, 2013 TG 22 - 10 Divisions (143-150, 809 and 922) 4 guests

PIR: Apr 19, 2013 TG 23 - 7 Divisions (151-156 and   923) 4 guests

PIR: Apr 26, 2013  TG 24 - 11  Divisions (157-166 and 924) 4 guests

PIR: May 3, 2013   TG 25 - 11  Divisions (167-176 and 925) 4 guests

PIR: May 10, 2013   TG 25 - (to be updated)

Click on the date of your SR's PIR and join the group to connect with others with loved ones training with your SR.

Just got in last night from a wonderful long weekend in Great Lakes. What a great experience from the Meet n Greet, PIR, two days with my sailor, exploring Chicago and meeting some of the sailors and families.

My personal comments of the weekend…

PIR: Sarge gave plenty of parking options at his MnG,  but it was pretty easy to park in the main parking garage and a short walk(100 yards) right into the visitor center. The car line was a little confusing to get into the gate because some were lined up at the main gate on Illinois. The PIR gate is the next gate at Ohio St; the drivers were sitting on the road before the gates opened. We passed both lines went to the next signal made a U-turn to head the opposite direction of the line. When our light turned to make a left turn into the Ohio St gate, we by passed a lot of the line. Once the gates opened everyone flowed into the hall pretty good. We put our blanket on our seats and got coffee and took turns saving our spot. We walked thru the Navy Museum and looked around the hall. We sat against the wall in front in the lower section right in front of our division, which was great because I’m short and stood most of the time and wasn’t in anyone’s way but the wall… The Navy showed some videos on the screens and had a couple of groups doing expedition drills to watch which helped the time to go by pretty fast. Then the big rolling doors opened up…..:)))

When bringing our sailor back to the base or picking up the next morning, you’ll use the Illinois St main gate. Which puts you right at the NEX and a big parking lot. Have your gate pass and ID’s ready. Even my 13 year had a State Id card, so she got into the PIR, back on base and airports with no problem.

I finally did master driving around Chicago. Tolls were pretty easy to master and cheap. Toll from Midway or O hare to Great Lakes was $1.90 each way. The toll going north has a toll booth for the cash side with a person to give change. Toll into O Hare heading south from Great Lakes does not; you’ll have to have the exact amount of change to throw into a bin. If you get off the highway to get a treat or gas you’ll have to pay the toll at the exit booth in the exact change. Use the Forest Oasis exit that has no toll exit because everything is on the exit ramp and you just get right back onto the highway. Plus the food shops sit right on top of the freeway, awesome view while eating a meal, snack or resting. Roads were in great shape for the most part. It snowed the last day we were there and had no problem getting around in our rental car. The transport dept seems to be on top of keeping everything plenty clear (plus it wasn’t a super storm). I had more problems driving in Reno in the snow then I did in Chicago..:)

USO at the Navy Pier was very helpful and welcoming to families. My sailor was getting blisters from the dress shoes and we stopped in for some band-aids. Plus it was cold and he worked on some things on the computer there and we watched part of a movie and had snacks….The USO at O Hare wasn’t as positive for families on Sunday morning, plus I woke the USO person up when I stopped in before the sailors got there. The USO person on Sunday didn’t know about the 26 sailors coming in to fly out that morning. He banded families from the USO. We found a spot to hang with our sailor for a nice visit in another part of the airport…so it worked out.

I’m so glad we went and really look forward to more experiences for our sailor as he continues his Navy journey…..now to A school.:))

To Mamacita3 - do you get shuttle phone#s at the Sarge meet n greet or do they provide them at the hotel?  Sorry for so many questions, i just like to have everything planned out and as much info as possible; hopefully fewer things can go wrong! :0)

You can get numbers at the hotel and some hotels have their own shuttles or you can contact Sarge at 847-212-0246.

Yay we are no longer on bottom of list for PIR dates. welcome PIR May 10 you're special cause that is mothers day weekend, but you already knew you were special didn't you. I wouldn't trade you though.

Looking at the sidebar on the right, are Sarge's Meet & Greets held at 2 places - Sundance & Flanagan's?  And then there is a Ramada Waukegan Meet & Greet too?  Does it matter which one to attend?  And lemonelephant - we can schedule the shuttle with Sarge before we get there - Am I understanding correctly or do we need to wait to go to the Meet & Greet?  What happens after PIR?  My recruit is scheduled to go to Pensacola for A school.  Does he come with us immediately after PIR or will he need to check in before coming with us?

Sorry all the questions at once, my morning coffee just kicked in : )

Sarge meets at the Sundance saloon, he's is the biggest meet and greet. Get there early if you can to sit with your division. You can call him ahead of time or e-mail him to set up the shuttles. I saw arriving to the M&G in one of his shuttles. My sailor shipped in Pensacola too, he had to go back to the ship(they had to move their bags because the ship was closing for repair and had to sleep in other ship for the two weekend nights). We had to wait over an hour, but I toured the NEX, saw the phone banks, grab a taco at Taco Bell and pick-up his pictures. Then we all walked to our rental car and had a great rest of the day together...:))

Do you need to reserve a spot for the Sarge's Meet and Greet or just show up?

I would click on the meet and greet date for your PIR, should be a link on the right hand side and then you respond as "attending" and comment on note on how many in your party. That way Sarge and his family know how much food to make for the dinner....:)

My son leaves April 1st and I am anxious to buy my plane ticket.  Prices are going up each week.  I understand that he will get a letter the second day he is there telling him when PIR will be.  Do they ever change that PIR after he gets the letter and is he able to call and tell me that date or do I have to wait until he mails it to me? Thanks!

Thanks BeachBunny!

ManyMom2013-If you start searching for plane ticket but don't purchase yet, sign-up for some of the airline websites and they'll will start sending you discounts and lower prices to entice you to purchase...I saved almost $100 per ticket. Double check all the surrounding airports to get the best deals...Sounthwest doesn't charge for changing flight if for some reason the PIR date changes. PIR dates usually don't change only if your SR doesn't pass a test or is set back...I watched tickets prices for weeks before booking.

NavyMom2013, the form letter is mailed when P-days end unless your SR is in an 800 division (special ops) and so it typically arrives about 10 days after arrival at the RTC.  He finds out his PIR date when filling out the form letter. (See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) for more on that. I sugges that you join that group while you are there and check out the other Pages, found under the pictures of the members, while you are there.) Also be sure to check out the discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC.

MamaKrayKray, you have been given good info from BeachBunny.  Check out the Page, PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) to tell you  more about what to expect that weekend.

Everyone plan to attend Sarge's Meet and Greet and perhaps take in part of another one.  Sarge's is the newest M&G, but the most helpful of the 3.  Ramada's is the oldest and they provide appetizers, but they only give a handout of info and all of the info on it can be obtained in the Family Guide (http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide_v14Mar2013.pdf) or on here.  Flanagan's has been going on for a few years and provides a free appetizer buffet and music along with a place to meet with others.

Do check out the info on each of the M&G's--you may want to get the $10 gift ceritifcate even if you don't go to Flanagan's M&G.

Thanks lemon!  Also we are planning on driving to GL but everything I'm reading seems like it is easier to take the shuttle to PIR instead of taking our own car & parking.  What's your opinion? 

MamaKrayKray, there are advantages and disadvantages for both.  I liked having my own vehicle for the freedom it gave (I was also in a wheelchair and having our own vehicle made things much easier), but you must decide what is best for you.  Taking a shuttle will result in an additional 100 yard walk from the gate than if you drive and park in the parking garage, which is adjacent to the Visitors Center.  Driving means you need to leave your hotel around 6 or earlier in order to be at the gate by 6:30 when the gates open because traffic gets worse the closer it gets to PIR time and taking the shuttle you can take a shuttle that will drop you off closer to 7 when the Visitors Center and Drill Hall open. By driving, you can leave the RTC when you are ready and not have to wait on a shuttle.  You just have to decide what is best for your family.

Thank you Lemon - always appreciate all of the information & your input!

I was glad that we had our car with us..it was cold and when we had to wait over an hour and half for our sailor, after a while my husband and daughter sat in the car with the heater...:) We parked in the parking garage right next to the visitor center about a 50 yard walk from our car. I walked around the base and explored where I could. Plus we left when our sailor was released after moving his personals item from ship. Their div had to move due to their ship being closed for repair/remodeling. Also sailors moving over to A school in GL will have to move their items across the street, which will take time. Not knowing what time he was going to be released it was nice having our car and not worrying about missing the shuttle...in our case it worked out better for us to have our car....:)

Thank you BeachBunny - Right now I'm thinking of taking the car especially if we are going to wait for him anyway.  His younger brothers might enjoy exploring while we are waiting.  But I can see pros & cons for either way.  One more question, any hotels that are pet friendly that you can recommend?  We got a call from him last night & he asked if we would consider bringing the family dog. 

oh...how sweet..your dog must travel well..!  I've heard of pet friendly hotels from others on here, maybe someone will chime in later..did you check out Navy Lodge? Or Quality Inn? I know the Marriott wasn't, that's where we stayed...hope you get that greeting on film..........:))

MamaKrayKray, As BeachBunny said, the Navy Lodge is pet friendly.  (https://reservations.staydod.com/hotelSearch.do?action=View&pro... or 847-689-1485) You have to let them know your recruit's name since he will be your sponsor.

The Residence Inn Waukegan and Homewood Suites in Lincolnshire have also been mentioned as being pet friendly.

Thanks for the information lemon & BeachBunny . . . I'll check it out.  If the dog did travel well, we would be fine.  But he's one of few dogs I know that actually gets car sick . . . so I really have to think about that one. 

I HAVE A SAILOR!!!!!!!

Congrats to you!  What a proud feeling it is!

Yea...love the "I'm a sailor" calls!

thanks all!

Yay Proudmom63! Can't wait for that call!

IT will COME proudnavymomma,,,,, sooner than you expect...first couple/few weeks are the hardest.. then the exctement starts to build!  best of luck to all the SRs

ABSOLUTELY one of the proudest!!!!