PIR 4/8/2011 Alum Group!

129 members

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DIVISIONS: 121-128   807, 808   920,921

This group started on 2/8/11 and we survived boot camp, laughter and tears.  Now our recruits are sailors and headed in many directions, but we'll continue to support one another throughout! 

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  • ochaos

    If they are flying out you can get them a black backpack for their laptop and they may be able to take their phones, ipods.  Do not count on sending any clothes with them as they will have to earn their liberty again usually after moving to their next training place.  If A school is in GL they may be able to keep their phones, key word is may, if not you will have to mail it to them.

    Mar 27, 2011

  • ochaos

    The flights out are as flights are available and subject to change which is the military way. Do not stress, you will get the info from your recruit, some will fly out on sat and some Sun. and maybe even some on Mon, part of it depends on where they are going and what is available.

    Mar 27, 2011

  • Heather's Mom

    Thank you Ochaos, She will be going to San Antonio. She wants me to bring cell phone, laptop, hair straightner and make up. I figured I would have to wait on civilian clothes. I have no idea yet when she will fly out. I am praying that I will be able to spend the weekend with her. If not just to see her at PIR will be worth the flight from California to Illinois!

    Mar 27, 2011

  • ntz4laa (HM Mom)

    Hi, Heather'sMom!  Good to see you on here!  When I spoke to my SR on Wed, she was a little disappointed that the dental techs were going on to SA and she was for staying at GL for med training.  They've been going through this together since MEPS.  While they're not in the same division, the girls are in the same "house".

    Mar 27, 2011

  • Heather's Mom

    Hello, sorry I have not gotten the video to you yet. My friend took it on her phone and has flaked out on sending it to me. I was disappointed to hear that they were being seperated as well. I am just hoping that I will be able to spend the weekend with her.

    Mar 27, 2011

  • ochaos

    Heather's mom - it is definitely worth the trip to see PIR.

    Mar 27, 2011

  • diannep

    Jajajo:  Usually it takes 2-4 hours to get checked into GL A School right after PIR. Make sure she has a phone card to call you when she is ready to be picked up.  She then should be able to return to A School base after liberty with her cell (she will know this after checking in).  The shuttles run for a couple of hours after PIR...but she will be on a different base so no need to wait there.  Best for you to take the shuttle back to your hotel and wait for her call to pick her up on the A School base. 

    Mar 27, 2011

  • diannep

    HeathersMom:  I would suggest that you bring her personal items, but just a few.  They are usually allowed to have their cells, laptops, and just a few civilian clothes that they can wear once they phase up.  But you would have to meet your sailor at the airport if they are a GradNGo/Sat Departure with these items in a black backpack.  They cannot have them while still on RTC.  If moving over to GL A School base, they should be able to have them once they meet you for liberty and then return to the A School base.  But they will know that for sure after they check into their A School base.

    Mar 27, 2011

  • Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

    We stayed at the Navy Lodge and and drove our car to PIR. I would do it again if I had to go back. We didn't have any problems at all. We didn't leave the hotel until 6:30 and we were in the PIR hall by 7:00am and there were 13 divisions graduating.  The best thing to do is check out the streets and area the day before if you can. You will see cars lined up on the morning of PIR in the far right lane but that lane actually ends and those cars have to merge left into the other lane. You can by-pass a lot of the wait by not getting into that far right lane. If you check out the streets the day before you will see what i mean and where the street merges. We parked between the Nex and the Chapel and didn't very far to walk at all. The earlier you get there the better parking you will get.

    Mar 27, 2011

  • Jajajo

    Thanks to everyone for all the great info!

    Mar 27, 2011

  • Jajajo

    Is there a website where we can view our recruits pictures that were taken in their dress uniforms?

    Mar 27, 2011

  • ProudmominNC ship 02 Div 921

    Lala - Thanks for the index card tip.  I would have a complete meltdown if I ended up at the wrong airport!  So am I correct in reading that I really shouldn't take civilian clothes at this point?  He won't be able to wear those right away during liberty at A School until he actually earns liberty there? 

    Heather's mom, my SR is also going to San Antonio.  What is your SR's rate?

    Thanks again,

    Rhonda

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Heather's Mom

    Thank you diannep for the info.

    ProudmominNC she is a Hospital Corpsman Dental...... is that what you are asking? Sorry, Im learning as I go. LOL

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Craig

    Ok ladies, I want to tell you about one of the coolest things. Beleive me, I've seen alot of cool stuff in my life throughout the world, and this one is pretty awesome.

     

    When you get to the airport at O,Hare, go to the bathroom. The toilets have an automatic "Butt-gasket" changer.  I have never seen this anywhere else in the world.  It automatically senses that you just got into the stall, and it rotates the plastic around the rim.  I had to watch it at least 4 times, just to see how well it worked...

     

    Man, only in America!!!!

     

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

    You are welcome, that is what we are here for ;-)

    Craig that is so cool. I have never heard of that before. Now I wish I had gone to the bathroom when I was in that airport hoping to see my sailor.

    As far as I know there is no place to view the pics. You have to wait until PIR or wait for them to come in the mail if your recruit had them mailed.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Craig

    Lala - I know most of the women won't admit that they went to look, but they will go try it themselves like 4 times like I did.  See, the coolest things are right in front of you....Oops... I meant for you ladies, the coolest things are right behind you (since you sit)...  Man, the things you learn at N4M's is amazing huh?

     

    You can't view the photos on line.  The NEX wants to make money selling them, so they won't post them.  If they did, everyone would be going to Walmart and pay like $5, instead of the $100 they charge.  However, I must admit, at least the NEX is going to the sailors Morale and Welfare Fund (MWR).

    Mar 28, 2011

  • SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

    GATE PASSES ARE READY!!! Tee hee!!

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Jajajo

    What's the process for gate passes again?

    Mar 28, 2011

  • SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

    Here is the link...

    Print out if you are driving to PIR

    http://www1.netc.navy.mil/nstc/rtcgl/upcoming_grads.asp

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    BattleStations dates yet for 125+126, 127+128????  Anyone hear?  If you hear from them and they say:  The next time I will call is (date), that should be the I'm a Sailor call, which means they go through the night before.  Please post dates here and on the BattleStations discussion group up top.  Thanks!

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    Jajajo:  No, I don't believe there is a website to see their formal piks.  You will have to wait until after PIR when they give the piks to you, unless your SR mailed them in which case you may get them before.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    If anyone has a problem printing out the gate passes (available now--see SR Mom's link below), please download Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.  That should solve the problem.  You can print as many as you want...I took several with me to PIR just to make sure I had more if I lost one.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    Denise:  The car shouldn't be an issue, but you need to get there EARLY!  Gates open at 6:30, so be in the car line long before that....We arrived at the PIR Hall a few minutes past 7, and there were already lots of people in there.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • ochaos

    My recruit mailed them home so I did not get them for a week or two.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Debi (Ship 9 Div 126)

    Just printed my parking pass ( printed 2 just in case) whooohooo!! Can't wait to hug my Sailor!

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

    jajajo- the purpose of the gate pass is to get you onto base. It shows them that you have a recruit graduating and you have been invited to be there. The pass gets you on the base then once you are parked you will go into the visitors center and wait in line. You will tell them your recruits name and show your ID. They will check your name off the list and if you have any extra people with you they will wait there until everyone is checked in. Then if there is room they can go in as well. Sometimes they don't make them wait. It depends on how may extra guests you have and how many divisions are having PIR that day.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • ochaos

    Craig - i have seen those in several places before, but the first time you see them it is a rather strange site.

    I stayed at Navy Lodge and drove to PIR, it was a short trip and easy, LaLa is right about checking out the area before you go to get familiar with where you are going. Print out duplicates of the parking pass in case you lose one, if they do not check it do not throw it away as there is always someone different at the gate.  I was only checked 1 time but they asked to see the id of everyone in the car when I was bringing my sailor back to base one time.  Better to be prepared than not.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    KIWI:  No, it for sure won't be Apr 1st.  They don't do them on Fri nights.  Plus he wouldn't go the night before since 121-124 are going then...and that is the max number of divisions to go at once.  He will definitely be going during PIR week, not the week before.  Post when you hear the date!  If he gives you one date, clarify if that is the day they start or the day he will be calling you (I'm a Sailor call)--which is the next day.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

    kathiofootball- I responded to your comment. it is not too late to get the ribbons. Just send me a friend request or you can email me at uniquememorymakers@yahoo.com I think there is still enough time so you won't have to pay extra for overnight shipping :-)

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Lala Ribbon Queen PIR Ribbons

    You guys will have your meet and greet on my birthday lol. I wish I could be there to meet you all in person. You are going to have a great time :-)

    Mar 28, 2011

  • ntz4laa (HM Mom)

    I received our division t-shirts in the mail today.  Division 125's are really cool!

    Mar 28, 2011

  • ochaos

    If you did not order shirts do not fret, some of your recruits may have ordered them for you (my son did) but you will be able to order them after PIR.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • five10fevr(HM school)

    Thanks Ochaos for the info.

    If our recruit ordered them would they be shipped to our house or would we be picking them on PIR weekend? I dont think he would of ordered them.

    Glad to know I can order afterwards :) 

    Mar 28, 2011

  • ntz4laa (HM Mom)

    When I spoke to my SR she said that she had only ordered one for me and her.  So, I'm glad I ordered for her dad and brother.  I'll have an extra for me, plus the one that I ordered for her I plan on making into a pillow.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • MamaMia

    Greetings!  Anyone know which date the 800 divisions are doing Battlestations?  Just want to keep my cell phone attached to the hip :-)!  Did you ever think back on 2/8 that we'd be at the 10 day mark?  That seemed like eons away and now here we are!  :-D

    Mar 28, 2011

  • SR Mom Ship 11 Div 124

    I am so emotional...

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    MamaSeal:  Check the BattleStations discussion group above.  Sun night/Mon morning, we think.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Melhugsnavymom

    ntz4laa (Ship 09 Div 125)-  We received our T-shirts as well for DIV 808. Very exciting. :) I just can't wait to see them.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Melhugsnavymom

    Mamaseal ~ I was told by one of my son's that they will have battlestations on Sunday/Monday.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Marianne(Ship04/Div807)

    Is anyone having trouble downloading the gate pass?  I keep getting a blank screen.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Melhugsnavymom

    it is a blank screen until you type in the password. Make sure your typing in all caps. :)

     

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    Marianne:  Try downloading Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox (both free downloads) to see if that helps you get the pass.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    ICsailorsgirl:  Yes, he should, unless he has watch which will eliminate a little of the time.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • MamaMia

    Thanks All!  I'll bet they're even MORE anxious to get through this than WE are!!

     

    Mar 28, 2011

  • NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

    Craig, please help.  I have seen this discussion on here before, but now that I have my PIR pass printed out, the question has come up again.  My daughter's boyfriend is coming with us.  However, she has his "nickname" on the original form letter from the Navy about the recruit's intended guests.  His "real" name and the name on his license is not the same as his "nickname".  How can my daughter get this changed to his real name for when they check his ID?  I have time and plan on writing one more letter.  Please advise quickly.  Thank you.

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    NavyMomofOnly1Girl:  Probably too late to change names. They usually do that 2 weeks before PIR.  I wouldn't worry about it.  He should get in.  Are you sure that she didn't change it to his actual name anyway? 

    Mar 28, 2011

  • diannep

    Also, he will be with you all, right?  If there were to be an issue (and I don't think there will be), you can vouch for him.  I'm sure this happens where the "given" name on ID is not what was put on a list. 

    Mar 28, 2011

  • NavyMomofOnly1Girl Ship 9 DIV126

    Not according to the original paper.  I don't think she thought of his "real"name, but we had to have it for his plane fare, hotel reservation, etc.  When I printed out the pass and got the password from that form, I realized it wasn't his Legal name.  Are you sure it will be all right?

     

    Mar 28, 2011

  • MamaMia

    By the way, can you all change the photos on this PIR 4/8 Group or just me, because I started it?  I just randomly found pictures on Google, but if you're tired of them and want something new posted, just send me an email.  Thanks!

    Mar 28, 2011

  • Craig

    NavyMomofOnegirl - How off are we talking about the name?  Are you saying something like Robert, and she calls his Bob? or are we talking his name is Michael and goes by MethHeadMike?  It really depends how off they are.  Just like diannep said, if your with him, it shouldn't be a problem.

     

    MamaSeal, since your are the creater of this section, only you can change them  Alot of the groups will do slide shows for the top area, then the pictures automatically change.  A good friend of mine, Beth, who runs the USS Boxer LHD-4  group has a great slide show, which you can copy the code and install the pictures you like.  Check her group out and ask her questions, I've known her for about 5 years now.  She's awesome!    http://www.navyformoms.com/group/ussboxerlhd4?groupUrl=ussboxerlhd4...

    Mar 29, 2011