PIR Reference Information

I received my box and form letter on the sixth day!

Hi bizebt,  Last Saturday we parked at Soldier Field's parking garage so we could go to museums, the aquarium, etc.  It was $22 to park all afternoon.

Thank you Idaho Ma & Sarabi2013. I have heard that public trans is really good so we are staying at a hotel in The Loop and not far from Millennium Park.

My SA arrives on Tuesday, November 5th at Great Lakes for Boot Camp. Originally, he and I thought he would be graduating (PIR) on Friday, January 3, 2014. But his Recruiter tells us that he might be Graduating (PIR) earlier because there are NOT going to be any Graduations (PIR's) December 20th or December 27th. I know that LAST year (2012) they DID still hold Graduation on December 21 & on December 28th, but in 2011 they did not.... Anyone have a clue???

PetSasso, PIR will either be 01/03/2014 or 01/10/2014. It would not be earlier because your SR must have 7 or more weeks at the RTC. There are 6 actual weeks of training and 4 or more days of P-days before that. Recruits arriving on a Tuesday as your future Sailor will sometimes have a week less at the RTC, but that won't happen for your SR because there is no PIR on 12/27/2013 this year according to http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp (also no PIR on 12/20/2013). The skipped weeks and the holidays could cause your future Sailor to have 10 Fridays at the RTC rather than the typical 9. See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones). It would be nice if recruiters kept up with how things happen at the RTC instead of passing on bad info.

Thank you for commenting on my Question! Not sure why they told him that he might Graduate early either.... we aren't going to get our hopes up that he'll be able to come home from Christmas, or that he'll Graduate early. If he does, then it will be a nice surprise :) Thanks again...

PetSasso, your then SR MAY be part of the Adopt-A-Sailor program since he will be in one of the next 2 TG's after Christmas. He would only be able to go home if you live within 50 miles of the RTC. See What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology).

hello, all... i am wondering.... awhile back there was talk of someone in or near goose creek, sc that makes cakes. my son's bday is 11/23 and i was hoping someone here would know how to contact the "cakemaker" would love to surprise my son with a homemade cake!

Is there a way I can find out when my Sailor is going to be doing Battleship 21 ? It is int he near future he graduates November 15th :) I MISS HIM Terribly!!!

Anybody remember/know where/how to order a DVD from a prior PIR grad ceremony? I remember they were available while supply lasts up to a year.

hi, does anyone here know how to view the pir from 10/25 if you dont have facebook? i know there was a live stream but thought you could view after also. thanks

Hi there fellow Navy moms.   If you're in the Middle Tennessee region, our Navy moms group is meeting this Saturday at 11:30 AM at the Flying Saucer in Nashville.  We have moms with lots of experience with the Navy and we would love to support you in anyway we can.  Come out and have a great time getting to know the Navy Moms in your area.   Details listed on the Events Calendar.  Just click the Events tab at the top of the page.   Message me if you think you can attend.  I would love to see you there.  :) 

shipsahoy, the Live Stream is not always saved for more than a few days. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151897337304651.1073741... has the pictures that were posted. If that doesn't work, let me know. Did your Sailor order the DVD? ff not go to Division T-Shirts, Graduation Photos, The Keel, and DVD of PIR for info on how to order it, but do it soon.

Bobbo, go to Division T-Shirts, Graduation Photos, The Keel, and DVD of PIR for info on how to order the DVD. No, they are not available up to a year after PIR; that is the photos of the Sailors. The DVDs are available for a limited time only--som have been able to order them up to 2 months after PIR, but some have been unable to order them a month after PIR, so the sooner you call, the better chance you have to be successful in ordering one.

Ship13Div007 1hunner, BST will be next week. Ask diannep to send you a friend request with the date of BST for your SR's division. She keeps track of that when loved ones let her know. See Battle Stations-21 (BST) for more info on BST.

This site has been so valuable to me and my family for the early Navy experiences. We enjoyed PIR this past weekend and I want to share a few thoughts. Here is my advice to those planning their trips to PIR:

1. Find a way to keep your gate pass attached to your dash after you enter the gate in the morning. Ours wouldn't stay on the dash due to the heater blowing. More than just the initial gatekeepers may want to see it before you are allowed to the parking ramp!  There were officers there who searched cars which caused an approximate 20-30 minute delay in arriving at the parking ramp.

2. Keep your completed gate pass in your vehicle at all times! We needed it again when we dropped off our sailor on base at the end of the day.

3. If you are driving, arriving at the base prior to 6:30am is a smart move.

4. If you have an honor grad or award winner, read this advice from another NAV4M member!  http://navyformoms.com/group/pirreferenceinformation/forum/topics/h...

5. Honor Grad and Award Winner check-in is at 7:15am. We missed that due to an unforeseen delay on base. Look for a Navy representative outside the front doors to help you get inside quicker.

6. We like to take pictures and did so during this trip. However, I would recommend just enjoying your SR walking by when they enter the building. We took pictures of our SR but he was in motion and our pictures turned out blurry. I would have preferred to enjoy the moment since we had very little opportunity to see our SR in action as it was.

7. The temperature that day was about 45 degrees and overcast. There are so many comments on this site about the drill hall being cold so I dressed in several layers. The drill hall was quite comfortable that day and my coat was shed quickly. I am usually cold so I was very surprised to be comfortably warm. The drill hall does get some heat so you can dress according to your own comfort.

8. Remain flexible - you never know what delay is in store. Be grateful you can share this special day with your child/loved one. They love having you there!

9. If your sailor is going to fly out through O'Hare, they will be dropped off at terminal 2 and will first go to the USO office and then will be assisted to the terminal from which they will fly out.

If you are interested in more of our story for PIR please message me. We had a great day/weekend but that is because we had to be flexible!!!

Thank you Sarabi2013 for your comment. We head out on 11/20 for PIR on the 22nd. Cannot wait. Even though we are renting a car I plan to use Sarge to get to PIR instead of driving in.

Morning all...does anyone know if there is change to gate pass password etc if original PIR changed?  Debating shuttle versus car and want to make sure I'm not missing a step.

Is there any way to find out when my son is doing battle stations?

NJNancy...I logged in and printed mine last night with the same password that was on the form letter so I am assuming that it was not changed.

nukejusmom, info about BST is treated as a Ship movement and is not to be posted openly on the web until after it has happened. Based on your SR's division number, the "I'm a Sailor!" call could come only a day or two before PIR. See Battle Stations-21 (BST)--there is info there on who to ask in a PM.  

NJNancy, yes, the passwords are PIR specific.  If your SR's PIR changed you can call the PAO and get the new password. You will have to provide your SR's name, the original password and PIR date and the new PIR date and division number. There is more on that in PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

1stTimeNavyMom, NJNancy's SR was originally to have PIR in October, so she does not have the same password that you do and will have to get it from her SR or the PAO since it is a violation of OPSEC for anyone else to give her the password besides her SR or the PAO.

Thank you for the info lemonelephant...diannep had given my numbers and email info....received new passwork yesterday.  As my SR is staying in GL is this pass also applicable for pickup/dropoff during liberty weekend?  Wanted to make sure I have it if I don't utilize shuttle for PIR, however was under impression it may be needed for balance of weekend as well.

NJNancy, most have been able to use the pass for the RTC on the main base PIR weekend. Check to be sure.

jrose (ship 13, div 37), yes, you can send packages to "A" School. You may even have your Sailor home on Leave sometime over the holidays since the "A" Schools shut down from close of business on 12/20/2013 and resume on 01/06/2014. Your Sailor will put in a chit for Leave at "A" School and let you know.

Hi lemonelephnt,is this comment for sailors going to culinary A school,that have been on hold since graduation, 11/8 or all A schools.

Queencity(Ship12 Div 424), I don't know of any school that is not sticking close to those dates for the holiday stand-down.

I saw a post that my daughter's recuiter posted on her facebook, which gives her address, ship # and div#.  If I write to this address will the letter get to her?  I hear this may not be her True address. I have not received her letter or box yet.  She left for bc 11/20/13.  Its only been 8 days and I miss her!

It is best to wait on the form letter before sending letters.

Reasons to wait on the form letter:

1. The PAO at the RTC asks that loved ones wait on the form letter before mailing letters.

2. The recruiter does not always give the right address and letters that do not have the correct address may be returned or may be delayed several weeks in getting to your recruit since it will not be a high priority for those in the mail room to look up the correct information. Double-check the address the recruiter gave you against those at http://bootcamp.navy.mil/contact_recruit.asp or or Ship/Division--How it Works.

3. Even if you do have the correct information, your recruit will not receive letters that are mailed before receiving the form letter much quicker, if at all, than letters mailed after receiving the form letter because recruits do not receive mail until they are in their permanent ship and a Recruit Mail Petty Officer is trained. The first Mail Call is on day 1-3 or 1-4 DOT.

See Arrival and What Happens at the RTC and Letter Writing & Fun Stuff/Questionnaires to send to your Recruit.

I hope this is the right spot to ask this question.  Based on the fact that I'm handicapped and can't fly, does the Navy video stream the Graduation Ceremony on the Internet?  If so who/where can provide me with the link?  Thank you for this info.  Mark

Roxanne349, check the info in Saving Money PIR Weekend.

The default Privacy Setting on N4M is "Anyone." That means that ANYONE with access to the web has access to everything on your My Page. To change that, make change number 3 at the bottom of OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile), While you are there, read the Page and see if there are other changes you need to make.

Good evening, I was looking at the hotel on  base at great lakes, have anyone stayed there before, I would like to know how the stay there was, it is about $20.00 cheaper then navy lodge, I really dont need anything fancy,but i would still like to hear past experiences, and would people who aren't in the navy,or a spouse to someone in the navy able to stay?

RAINE13, yes, you are able to stay at the Gateway Inn & Suites since your then Sailor will be your sponsor. See Saving Money PIR Weekend.

I was told they can't have their personal items until they are at the airport. No items are allowed to be brought in BC even after PIR. 

Jaxmom, you will give those items to your Sailor at the airport as momof1navyguy said. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

PoodleLady, your Sailor will be in his dress blues. Nicer is appropriate--business casual or Sunday dress is my suggestion, but you will see everything. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend to help you plan your weekend, including what to wear.

Yes, it's pretty bad. I have never seen PIR to be cancelled though--postponed yes, cancelled no. http://www.weather.com/weather/today/USIL0492:1 gives the weather for GL. Watch https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand for updates on how the weather is affecting the RTC.

The RTC will stream PIR live at http://www.livestream.com/usnavyrtc and http://navylive.dodlive.mil/ beginning at 8:45 am CST on the day of PIR for those who are unable to attend in person.

lemonelephant:  I notice on the Navy Live Stream page, upcoming events, they list the next 3 PIRs and there is a button next to each that says "RSVP".  If we want to see the PIR live stream later on our computer, should we RSVP next to our son's PIR date before the PIR so we get it downloaded to our computer?  Is that what the RSVP button is for?  Just want to plan ahead and make sure I do this if that's what the button is for.  Thank you. 

roguevalgal, You do not need to RSVP. You will be able to see the Livestream, if it is available, whether you RSVP or not.

Also, some PIR's have been up for a week after PIR and others have only been up for a few days after PIR, so be aware of that. Also, if there are technical difficulties, there may not be a Livestream. Make sure that your recruit orders the DVD. See Division T-Shirts, Graduation Photos, The Keel, and DVD of PIR.

I will say that all cables have been replaced so hopefully there will not be any live stream issues. These news few days are going to be very long...... We are leaving Thursday morning for the 10 yr drive!!! Hugs to all and God Bless

:o)