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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  • lemonelephant

    KF Ship 12 DIV 276, He will most likely fly out on Saturday. It could be in the wee hours or anytime up to Saturday evening. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend. I've left additional info on your My Page.

  • pinkcanary

    Anyone have suggestions for a graduation gift for my son?

  • lemonelephant

    pinkcanary, check out Gift Ideas for PIR.

  • Sierrascrapper (ETN2)

    Trying to figure out car rental for PIR weekend.  It's on Labor Day Weekend and it seems like the prices are outrageous! Trying to figure out if it would be better to just use Sarge all weekend or use a rental car for less days.  We are flying into Midway and I was hoping to use ACE rental cars, but they don't seem to have an agent there.  So...would it be best to just use Sarge on arrival and departure day and then use a rental for Thursday, Fri and Sat?

  • lemonelephant

    Sierrascrapper, renting a car will give you more freedom--just my thoughts and may save you in the long run. See Saving Money PIR Weekend. Some of Sarge's rates can be accessed from his page, OldSarge.

  • lemonelephant

    AnnMarie9300, that info will be in the form letter. Your recruit will most likely have PIR on 10/31/2104, but you will have to wait on the form letter to know for sure.

    Check your My Page.

  • lemonelephant

    Ohiomom, wait on the form letter before sending letters.

  • LMALANDRUCCOLO@HOTMAIL.COM

    Got an awesome phone call yesterday Ship 13, Div 352.  Spoke for 20 minutes.  He sounds so much better than the last phone call.  I am finally feeling better that he is better and less homesick!!

  • lemonelephant

    That is great news! Check your My Page.

  • MommaBB

    Do we need our sailor with us to go to the nex? Not the smaller rtc Nex. And will the bigger one have the div shirts?
  • lemonelephant

    MommaBB, Yes, you usually need your Sailor with you to go to the NEX on the main base. If you have your own military ID, then you can go on your own. If you stop by the Visitors Center and get a pass, you will be able to go to the NEX on your own. I think those staying at the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites and possibly the Navy Lodge can also get a pass to allow them to go to the NEX. No, the Division T-Shirts are not for sale at any NEX. Some are available on the day of PIR while you wait if you look around and you can stop by building 1326 after PIR and get them.

  • MommaBB

    Thanks lemonelephant.

    Ok so next question. On another page someone mentioned our SR needing a deviation chit to b able to visit us at the navy lodge. Don't remember hearing about that before. Is that true? And how does he get one now? Only week to go and last letter goes out tomorrow. 

  • MommaBB

    Never mind. I think I just found the answer in the saving money at PIR pages. Don't need a chit if not staying in GL for A school. But sailors do need to be with guests when they r in halls etc. Sound about right? I'm obsessing over nothing. Ugh. Just wanna see my boy! 

  • deidre86

    updated

    I want to say Happy 20th Birthday to my SR son SHIP 13 DIV 022.. First birthday we are not together. Guess I will have a slice of red velvet cake for him..

  • hishippygirl

    Received the form letter today! PIR 12/05/2014. Ship 03, Div 28.
  • dabrat70

    When is PIR for my recruit? He arrive at RTC on October 14th

  • EmiRoseS

    I know the PIRs are livestreamed on the Navy's website, but are they recorded and archieved? My boyfriend is going to perform in the 2 PIRs before his and I have classes during the livestreams :(
  • Navymom904

    emirosebuds44

    Below is a link where you can watch last weeks 11/07 PIR

    http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/11/07/navy-recruit-graduation-nov-...

    Hope this helps! :o)

  • EmiRoseS

    BlessedNavyMom, thank you very much! If they do archive them then, I can just watch him perform after classes :)

  • Kaila's mom

    My daughter left Nov. 5th and I heard her PIR is on Dec 31st., that's a federal holiday.  Does anyone have any information about this.  Thanks

  • Sara J

    My daughter and I both thought we say something going on at the RTC Thursday, Dec 4, but now we cannot find anything. Could someone enlighten us if we should be there Thursday? We both are taking off work to come up and an 8 hour drive is a lot if nothing is going on.  THANKS.

  • lemonelephant

    The info concerning the address and date of PIR as well as other important information will be in The Form Letter. The first time you will see your new Sailor is in the Drill Hall on the day of PIR. There are 3 Meet and Greets the night before PIR (click on the Events tab above and move the calendar to the day before PIR), but those are for family and friends and the new Sailors are not present. See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

    You need to arrive at the RTC around 6:30 am on the day of PIR--there will probably already be traffic. Go up on Thursday so you will be rested and will not be late for PIR. If you arrive early enough on Thursday, do go to at least one of the three Meet and Greets. Sarge's gets really good ratings.

  • Sara J

    Thanks.

  • RefuseToSink

    Found this blog site and thought it was cool...regarding what to bring to PIR...  

    http://domesticgeekgirl.com/events/things-to-bring-to-navy-graduati...

  • RefuseToSink

    and on the same blog, cool info on centerpieces for Sarge's Meet n Greet... 

    http://domesticgeekgirl.com/crafts-diy/centerpieces-and-place-cards...

  • lemonelephant

    Everyone, take time to read http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2015/03/23/4-things-to-know-about-opsec.... You may have some changes to make to your N4M profile, so also read OPSEC and PERSEC (Making Changes to Your Profile).

  • Huntersmom

    Looking for suggestions for places to stay for my sons PIR.   Thanks in advance⚓

  • lemonelephant

    The RTC's Family Guide at http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide_v18Jun2013.pdf still indicates that outside photography is prohibited.

  • luckymom

    Does anyone have recommendations for a place to purchase a door banner for PIR?

  • lemonelephant

    luckymom, there are several places on the web, but you can make one for as much or less.

  • bertosky

    Having a really bad day. It's hard to see that some moms were so blessed to hear from their recruits. Just the need to know that they are okay is driving this mother slowly insane...

  • lemonelephant

    bertosky, your recruit is fine. If there was a problem you would have heard and that is not a call you want to receive. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC will tell you what is happening and what to expect.

  • ProudNavyMom

    No news is good news the recruits are so busy trying to adapt to new life and the days are long and they are missing us as much we them. be patient the first few weeks are difficult but as you receive letters n calls you start feeling a little more at ease.
  • IslandGal

    BEST POST ALL DAY! PIR 07/17 made it to the top! Thanks Lemonelephant!
  • Mom of NavyBaby

    We need to make changes to the pir guest list! My daughter (SR). isn't aware. Do I need to overnight her a letter on Monday? Does she need to have information by a specific date Before? PIR IS 8/7/15.
    Please any help would be appreciated.
  • lemonelephant

    Mom of NavyBaby, She hasn't submitted the names yet--that is 3 to 10 days before PIR. Write her ASAP and give her the names of up to four people who will be attending. When she next calls, even if it is the "I'm a Sailor!" call, double check that she got the names. She can make changes to the names on the Access List up to 24 hours before PIR.

  • lemonelephant

  • lemonelephant

    MamBear, you are very welcome.

  • Amy L.

    Hello Mamrodgers!   my son just graduated this past Friday!!!   It was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!   Navy Lodge is the place to be, it is only about 5 minutes (if that, maybe more like 3) from the PIR entrance and Sarge runs a shuttle!  I recommend as soon as you know the PIR date you call them, they book up very quickly!   Also the Meet & Greet that sarge does the Thursday before PIR I highly recommend, he gives you all the information you will need.  I didn't get signed up on his shuttle, but he told me to be in the lobby at 6:20 (when he was pulling out to leave) and I could follow him!!   Well, there was a car line already, a long one, he passed the car line went up the hill, turned around, rolled his window down and told me to still follow him closely that he was making a left turn into the base.  I did and we bypassed all that line, went right in, and we were seated at 7am!!!   The drill hall starts to fill up very quickly and if you want to sit in front of your SR's division you will need to get there at least before 7:30am!   Hope this helps and good luck to you and your SR!!!!

  • mickey1928

    Questions about naval lodge. Does each room have a fridge and microwave? Also what does they have breakfast Togo mean? Thanks.

  • lemonelephant

    mickey1928, yes,  All rooms include direct TV and DVD, a refrigerator, a microwave, and free Wifi. "Breakfast to go" is just that. It is breakfast in a sack that you take with you. See the info on the Navy Lodge in Saving Money PIR Weekend.

  • lemonelephant

    Recruit Training Command/Naval Station Great Lakes will shift to winter uniforms — Dress Blues — as of Monday, Oct. 5. This means the Oct. 9 Pass-In-Review will be the first group to graduate in their dress blues.

  • Classycalicat

    I received my sons form letter with his graduation date. He listed his Grandfather as a guest, however due to health issues he is not able to make it. Can my son change his guest list?

    Thank you!

  • lemonelephant

    Classycalico, your recruit has not submitted the names for the Access List yet. The names on the form letter are for you. Write him now and explain and let him know the names of up to four people that he should list when the time comes to submit the names 3 to 10 days before PIR.

  • lemonelephant

    Recruits (actually Sailors at that point) are able to change the names on the Access List up to 24 hours before PIR.

  • Suzie1507

    I'm sorry if this already listed somewhere - I haven't seen it.  Is there a place to drop off a handicapped person that is close to the "overflow" viewing area?  Grandma would like to attend, but walking long distances affects her breathing.  Just curious.  If everything is a lot of walking, she may view online.  Thanks for any insight!

  • lemonelephant

    Suzie1507, no, there is no place to drop off someone closer to the chapel since anyone who is to go to the Chapel must start at the Visitors Center and be escorted with the group to and from the Chapel. If this person is able to stay at the hotel and watch the Livestream there, that would be better, especially since the Chapel is not always available to everyone who seeks to use it. See the info in PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

  • amanda

    Question.can u rent two rooms at navy lodge?my family doesnt fit in one room
  • lemonelephant

    amanda, yes, you can if they have enough rooms left when you call.

  • amanda

    Thankyou lemonelephant:)