PIR Reference Information

I'm so excited - was expecting to leave for Great Lakes tomorrow at noon for my Sailor's PIR.  My charge nurse just came to me and gave me the whole day off tomorrow, which means I can leave first thing in the morning.  I know PIR won't be here any sooner, but at least I will be closer to it sooner.

Congrats to proudmom63 and Micah's mom, too!  Have a wonderful time at your new sailor's PIR!  It really makes you so proud - more than you already are!  Enjoy liberty, too! 

thanks to all.... can't wait to enjoy all the fun and festivities!

so happy for you Micah's mom   very nice for your charge nurse to let you have the whole day off!!!   

Congrats and have a great time with your Sailors this weekend for all that have PIR tomorrow, my date is moving up the list quickly and I get more excited everyday! Hooyah to all you! Go Navy!

Made it to the hotel, already did a dry run by the RTC,  back at the hotel trying to relax.  I haven't slept well the last 2 nights in anticipation of the PIR.  So excited to be able to see my son!!!

Micah's mom...It is a moment you will never forget:)  You will sleep again when he tells you that he arrived in GC. Enjoy your weekend!! Congrats to all!

Remember to use the second gate to the visitors center parking lot-Ohio Street. There will be people parked in front of the main gate, Illinois St, double parked in front of that gate. They will have to then merge back into the line when someone comes out to tell them to use the next gate.I passed both gates,made u turned at the next street and to made a left turn into the visitor parking lot...by-passed many cars that were waiting because we turned on the next light.Double check the "tips to driving to grad" just above these post...there's a map to show you..:)

If staying there can we just walk on? My understanding is that the Gateway is by the school. Is it within walking distance? 

I have already practiced the "pass the gate, turn around, then you get to turn left at the turn arrow" way.  It will work like a charm.  Thanks!

It does...just don't tell everybody...:)) Have a wonderful PIR!!!

Mar'Cell2mom, when my son left my grocery bill went down by 2/3 and is sister and I were still at home.

Congratulations to those who have new Sailors and are at the RTC for PIR tomorrow. Enjoy your time with your new Sailor. If you are able to adopt a Sailor who is alone for the day, please do so.

I was told there's no transportation on base, just to the Visitor Center. I'm rethinking how we're going to get around after his graduation if this is true. Is this a bad idea to not get a rental car?  My recruit will be flying to MS for his A School, so we won't have a three day ''staycation'' in IL. Any suggestions??? Thanks !

1proudmama, there isn't really all that much to see on base. It is pretty much all restricted. You have the hall where they graduate, the Nex (Navy Exchange) and that's about it. A little more but you can't go see the barracks or any of the other things like BS 21. We, and it looked like everyone else, got out AQAP. Renting a car gives freedom and quickness. If you don't have much time, then rent a car and go do something for the time you have. When does your sailor leave?

Bobbo, he leaves for Gulfport the next day 4 May so Im told. So I'm not even sure we'll even be able to leave base. If it's just for lunch at the NEX , Im ok with that. Guess we'll see what's nearby and go from there.

HizproudMama, how are you getting to the RTC for PIR? There are shuttles or taxis from the hotel and back from the RTC and the Metra is across the street. A rental car gives you more freedom than relying on public transportation. You can also check in your PIR group and see about riding with someone else who is staying at the same hotel and has room for you and your Sailor in their vehicle. Yes, he will have Liberty and will be able to leave the RTC--and will want to. You will also want to meet him at the airport and spend time with him. (See Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.)

lemonelephant,

we have a room arranged for 2 May overnight at the Navy Lodge/ with a flight out of O Hara on 3 May in the evening 8pm. I have a reservation for shuttle pickup there and back on the night of departure. According to the the clerk at Lodging he said they have a shuttle which could take me to PIR that a.m.& for me not to worry about that. (wheww..lol) I just dont wanna deal with traffic and moving around in an unfamiliar place by renting a car(especially on a short amount of time), but I'm reconsidering maybe just for that day now. Or just take a taxi to somewhere nearby. I just dont know what's nearby and what other options for leisure we/he would want to do which is why renting a car makes a little more sense.

Thanks for the links very helpful. You guys are lifesavers !

My suggestion about renting a car - do it.  Your time to spend with your Sailor is so short and to have to spend some of that time waiting on transportation, UGH!  My son wanted to do certain things while still in Chicago (Navy Pier, Real Chicago Pizza, The Sear's Tower, etc).  Also, your Sailor may have a watch in the middle of the day that he/she has to be back to base then they may have a couple of more hours they can have liberty, then back on base before liberty is done for the day.  We just spent a lot of time going back and forth and I would have hated missing any time with my son because I was waiting on a taxi or other means of transportation.  Hope this helps anyone trying to decide.  :)

HizproudMama- I didn't think driving around Chicago was that bad, I live a town of 3000, not a big city. It's pretty much a straight shot up highway 94 to Great Lakes from O'Hare. You can find some great rates on rental cars. I got a car for $12 a day thru Southwest, if you look around you may find a great deal on a rental car. About 4 miles or so is the Gurnee Mills mall plenty of restaurants, shops and a movie theater. We went to a movie and saw several other sailor and families walking around the mall. I'd figure the cost of the different shuttle/taxi rides, it maybe cheaper and more freedom to rent a day....good luck! 

Great suggestions and things to think about everyone.I'm going to decide after I hear back from him with regards to what his wants are. I don't think he's gonna care if we go down into Chicago or stay close to base. He's just gonna be excited/grateful to see us., especially his girlfriend. I just wish we had the full weekend to spend with him. It's ok I will make it work with what time we have.

Hizproudmama - I think you have a great plan to "wait and see".  I noticed the Sailors that had girlfriends come for PIR tended to stay closer to the hotel and relax where the single guys were all about the pizza and sights.  :)

Mcah's mom, I totally agree. And a rent a car is best especially when time is short and you don't want to waste a moment. When we spent time with our new Sailor, we stayed local. Even though we are from So. Calif., I had taken him to Chicago so often that he didn't care about seeing anything in particular. He just wanted deep dish pizza as often as he could get it. He grew up going to Giordano's and there is one in Gurnee. That's where we stayed. There are plenty of good places there to eat. They have Giordano's Pizza, Cracker Barrel and a homemade ice cream shop (forget the name) by the Best Western there and is next door to an Irish pub/sports bar (Timothy O'Tools or something). It's the same company that sells milk in the area. There is also great breakfast/lunch/dinner Greek owned place called The Point on the HWY 41. And Gurnee has a shopping mall to walk around in and to get them quick supplies for A school and you can walk and talk.

I do believe that Gurnee is the best location due to restaurants, mall, and other things. It is only about 10-12 mins away from the front gate into PIR and where you pick-up/drop-off your sailor.

Also, here is a huge tip: Stay away from coming into PIR the 'normal' or 'typical' way. Come from the north. Along the RR tracks. If you see where the main gate is and come from there, that is much better. The best is coming from MLK down 24th(???). It is the street that dead-ends into the gate for PIR and no one uses it. You skip all the cars coming down the main road trying to make a right into the base. MLK is the 1st main street north of the base. Turn right just before you cross the RR tracks. Navigation will have it and so will a map. You can't get lost. Scout it out the afternoon/evening before.

HizproudMama, your sailor should be allowed to leave. They have to be back before taps, I believe. You should have about 8 hours with him. Remember, most of the base is on off limits to see. The only thing we did was go to the Nex (Navy Exchange) and the 'shop' next door which is for photos. If time is short, forget Nex until the next day when no one is there. Leave with your sailor as soon as you can and go have lunch. Go and walk the mall. Also, the sailors want to be alone, talk a long shower/bath alone (your hotel bathroom), sleep a little alone (your hotel room). I notice mine really wanted privacy which he didn't have any for the 8 weeks. Remember, a long shower/bath alone is something they have been deprived of.

Bobbo, HizproudMama will not be able to go to the NEX the day after PIR since her Sailor will no longer be at the RTC since he will be at the airport or already on his way to "A" School.

Everyone, your Sailor will know when s/he must be back at the RTC (or TSC if staying in GL). Be sure to drop your Sailor off at least 30 minutes before Liberty expires. (See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide_v14Mar2013.pdf.)

Bobbo, yes I think that's probaly where we're gonna end up is Gurnee Mall. Maybe hit Ruby Tuesdays and Im sure he's gonna wanna get his girlfriend a gift too. Our shuttle is pickup us up at 3:30 from base,(because of our flight time) so hopefully we can at least get to do that much.

 I have an unusual question for anyone who knows the answer. I have in-laws in WI about 3 hrs from Chicago. Each time we go home I lose cellular phone signal and just turn my phone off altogether.I have AT&T service. Not sure if this may be a problem while I'm there. My husband is thinking of just getting me a go-phone while I'm there just to be safe. I just don't know whats the popular service provider there. Does anyone know??

HizproudMama,  I also have AT&T and the service was fine at Great Lakes and Chicago.  (You will lose your signal when you are in downtown Chicago due to the tall buildings, but I think that would happen with any cell phone).  I will say if your son is going to A school in Charleston, that AT&T is TERRIBLE there.  My son has to stand outside, face south, and stand on his head to make a call and it is still terrible reception.  :)

Thanks Micah's mom, that's good to know. He's headed to Gulfport MS afterwards and hopefully he won't have that issue when he gets there like your son does. lol

HizproudMama,

I am not sure what issues you two are talking about but I will be in Gulfport for a few weeks after 5/24/2013 PIR.  If there is anything I can do to support your boys, PLEASE let me know. 

Ty, NavyMom for the kind gesture. Hopefully his phone reception will not be a problem down there.

My son graduates May 3rd and from what he has told me he will take a shuttle to the airport around 1am on May 4th.  Does anyone know how you are able to meet up with them at the airport?  I've heard you can hang out with them until the flight leaves.

First, my condolences to you that you won't be able to spend more time with your new sailor. We were lucky in that my son didn't fly out until Sunday afternoon and he was allowed to even leave the airport with us so we just used cell phones. As soon as they go through PIR they can get their cell phones back. Regarding your sailor, you should meet up at the USO at the airport. They have plenty of info at PIR on what to do and also this website, I think.

"Congrats and have a great time with your Sailors this weekend for all that have PIR tomorrow, my date is moving up the list quickly and I get more excited everyday! Hooyah!

RTC Family and Friends, at this time there is no planned change to the PIR scheduled for tomorrow, April 19, 2013. For up-to-date information on weather conditions and forecast, please visit the link below. For information on roads and traffic in Lake County, where NAVSTA Great Lakes is located, visit http://www.lakecountypassage.com/index.jsp
or if you are traveling to RTC by train, visit http://metrarail.com/content/metra/en/home/maps_schedules/metra_system_map/up-n/schedule.html for service advisories. For guests flying in to O'Hare or Midway airports, visit http://www.flychicago.com/Pages/LandingPage.aspx for the latest travel impacts. Lastly, for guests traveling in to Milwaukee's Mitchell airport, information can be found here: http://www.mitchellairport.com/.

RTC encourages all family and friends traveling to graduation to exercise caution when traveling in adverse conditions. We look forward to seeing you all safe and sound tomorrow to welcome the newest, sharpest Sailors into the United States Navy!

what is the "going" rate at the Navy Lodge Great Lakes

66 for standard room, 71 for a kitchen room no tax.

Thank you ProundNavyMomma. Are the rooms kept nice?.

question....is there a limit as to how many people can attend PIR for each future salior

There is a limit on how many guests can be on the access list. It will either be 3 or 4 depending on how many divisions are in your SRs TG.

Anyone driving to PIR this week and you're there early  take a "dry run" to the base...on Buckley Rd the line will start early in the right lane...by pass both  gates....some will park in front of the Illinois gate, it will not open...others at the Ohio gate which will open at 6:30..go pass both gates on Buckley Rd..go to the next signal light(about 500 yards) ..make a left hand U-turn...you will now be making a  left hand turn at the signal into the Ohio gate for parking....I by-passed a lot of cars...one guy in the on coming traffic watched me and gave me the happy finger sign because when the light turned, we and the others that followed me went to first...Sarge will go over this but here it is in writing, it's hard to follow what he's saying at the M&G...:)) Personal, I liked having the rental car so when my sailor was ready to leave we did, no waiting around...we did anything he wanted too...ate at a drive-in, diners and dives place, caught a movie, and chilled in the room and hit buffalo wings for some sports and snacks before heading back to the base that night. Plus he had an extra day because the flights were full for Saturday and we went into Chicago, he wanted sushi...you can book a car and always cancel 24 hours before with no fees....:)

I recommend the Residence Inn in Waukegan.  Rooms an d hotel are very clean.  They give you a 14 page informational  booklet.  Our suite was very comfortable.   Julie the Assistant General Manager was very welcoming.  Room rate includes a full hot breakfast and waffle bar.   Hotel is an easy 10 minute drive to base.   We had a wonderful time seeing our new sailor  and Rezidence Inn made it even better.  PM me if you want more info on the PIR weekend.  Glad to help anyone out there.

paigesmom, you have a few months yet, but it is never too early to start talking about things like who your future Sailor wants to attend PIR (the top 3 and the 4 if she gets 4) as well as how to handle bad news.  The discussion, Things to Do in the Last Month Before Your Future Sailor Leaves for the RTC, has other things you will want to start thinking about.

I just found out that our sons PIR date is June 14, 2013. Or is it the 15th? I thought PIR's are on Saturday's but per my Form Letter, my SR put down the 14th, which is on a Friday? Any help with that would be greatly appreciated!