ALUMNI OF PIR 11/06/2015 TG 52 - 10 Divisions (369-376, 820 and 952)

Here is a great article about the mail and how it is handled at the RTC. The estimate about 168,000 pieces of mail monthly or approx 2 million pieces a year to over 38,000 recruits. :)

Mail at RTC

We got a letter this week and a call today!! I laughed & cried at his letter. His voice sounded somehow older, more mature--but he sounded really good!! My Momma's heart is just bursting! Ship 06 Div 370

TheRocksmom:  I would send 1 recruit letter with each one to your son!  So the more you write him, the more letters for others!  :-)

Here is the link for the letter writing and questionnaires:

http://navyformoms.com/group/pir11062015/page/letter-writing-fun-st...

TraG151:  Ditto what Lisa said!  It is so true!

Good Morning!

Good morning. TraG151 I know aweful waiting for that call I had cell phone attached like second hand, its nerve wracking for sure. Look for that 847_ area code, they use those prepaid calling cards. It's the worse all the wondering who what where why. I think we all feel the same way here,  Hang in there, write to him tell him how proud of him and love him. You'll get call soon! Post when he calls.. We all in same boat as they say!  diannep, got my stationary and ready to write, going write everyday to son and 1 

Does anyone know if they are allowed to make calls on Sunday? We are still waiting to hear from him...=(

I think they may Terri, I know on Sundays they have  around 6 hours to themselves my son told me h uses it to shin his boots, fold clothes, write letters, today he will e studying, He says big test tomorrow!! Some recruits got sick and some had wisdom teeth pulled, which might delay calls and or letters, because they have to play catch up :-(  847 is the area code!  It's pure torture I know but the phrase I keep repeating is " no news is good news" :-)  

Thanks so much for the reply, my daughter is waiting anxiously to hear his voice, this is really tough on the whole family..But thanks again....You have a wonderful day!!!!

If calls come on Sundays, they come after 1pm Central time since they get to attend church services in the morning if they want to (on base). 

Just try to go on No News is Good News because that is how the Navy works!  If there is any change in their graduation date, you will hear from your SR.  If they are being separated, you will hear from your SR.  So sometimes NO news is a good thing!  :-)

Blessed Sunday!

     "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with men

      is possible with God.' "

                                                         Luke 18:27

Good morning, diannep! and Good morning to all the Mom's! I am anxious to hear if some of you got your call yesterday and or letter over the weekend. Today there is a big test, when I lit my blue candle, said prayer that they all do good! Also please excuse my grammer at times, I am on my tablet sometimes, and just can't get that spelling... Hope everyone has a good day! Only 38 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FireTeamLeaderWife♥ aka FTLW. Hi I just sent you add as friend, couldnt' send note tho, I am wondering about the Fire A school.. thanks

Good Morning ladies!  I hope everyone has a great day and I am praying for all of our SR's to do great today.

There is a Countdown clock towards the top of this PIR page.

Mandimae:  Checkout Southwest Airlines....no change fee ever charged if you need to change flights...just difference in fare (and the new one may be cheaper!).  2 bags check for free too.  Also, they will give you a discount coupon for a car rental.

Southwest flies into both Milwaukee WI (45 min drive to GL, no traffic) and Chicago-Midway (hour+ depending on traffic). 

I should remind everyone that there are delays sometimes for the SRs which can cause them to miss their original PIR date.  Illness, injury, academic/fitness failure, discipline....happened to my sailor when there.  I didn't know about Southwest then....so had to pay 2 change fees .... new fares were cheaper so that made it not quite as expensive as it would have been.  You can avoid that by booking on Southwest.

I havent,  but check with airline; although sometimes they have discounted fares, they will charge for luggage and carryon's, I was wondering the same. going check out a couple differant ones, I heard that southwest you can change reservations if somethng happens

Mandimae:  Glad it worked out!

That is true, TheRocksmom.  No change fee on Southwest.

I have a question maybe someone knows the answer to, would it be better to take the shuttle to PIR or my own car?

Greetings!

     "Blessed be the Lord,

      Who daily bears our burden."

                             Psalm 68:19

To SMW729: When my older son was in, we did take Sarge's taxi.  It has pros cons.  Depends if you are from the area or not on your preference.  We are less then 3 hours south of Great Lakes, but it was snowing so bad, that we decided to take the shuttles as we did not want to deal with too many inexperienced drivers in the snow.  They did pick us up from the Navy Lodge.  

We got there kind of later than most people who drove themselves, had to walk a bit in the wonderful snow and wind.  Then when we left, more walking in the cold and wind. We were still there in plenty of time for ceremony!!!!

We will most likely drive this time, since we know our way around better.  My older one had A school there, so we spent a lot of time visiting and such.  

We did not have a bad experience with the shuttles.  But they make it sound like if you do not take the shuttles, you will sit in line for a really long time.  We did not see that from the people that drove themselves.  And this time it will be early November and not the end of January, so hopefully there will be no snow!!!

We had a rental car when up there, but chose to use the shuttle for PIR.  We would do it that way again.  It was very easy.  We signed up for our time at the front desk of our hotel (this was before we knew about Sarge so this was the area taxi service.....same price).  We left the hotel at 6:30 and were at RTC by 6:40.  In PIR Hall a few minutes after 7.  We picked the shuttle back up in the designated parking lot, no issues.  Some may opt to drive and park off base, which would be at the train station right past RTC.  Paid parking, but minimal.  Others will just drive on base.  Lots of choices! 

For those driving on base, you will need the gate pass (able to download from RTC site about 10 days before PIR), proof of insurance, drivers license and registration....for those with rental cars, you just need the rental agreement, gate pass,  plus driver's license.

I did the same thing as diannep.  Left my rental car at the hotel and had Sarge pick me up at 6:30 am and we arrived at RTC about 6:45 am (after he picked up other peeps at nearby hotels), dropped us off at the gate, walked about 50 yards to the graduation hall entrance.  By the time we got inside, we were able to get the last 2 seats in the lower bleachers against the wall (for leaning on) in my Sailor daughter's division section, which is clearly marked by signs and sharp Sailors standing by them.  Then we caught a Sarge shuttle back in the lot to the right of the NEX.  My Sailor got to ride back to our hotel free and I knew she wanted to make a pitstop at the hotel before we headed out to get something to eat~~

The graduation hall is supposed to open at 7:00 am, but they actually open the doors earlier.  If I had to do it all over again, I would have had Sarge pick us up more like 6:15 am.  But at least we got to eat at the Holiday Inn Express' hot serve yourself breakfast which opened at 6:00 am on PIR day~~

Gals,

You're so welcome!!

You all are very welcome!  We love helping on this site!

Good Morning!

New Members:  Please be sure to read through the PAGES section,to the right and above on this page, for lots of info.  Scroll back through the posts here too for info!

Good afternoon! I have a question if your staying at the Navy Lodge, can you walk to PIR? or do you need to take Taxi or Shuttle?  TraG151, did you send pre paid telephne cards with him? I know they can buy them there, but maybe you can write him and send one in with letter. Nor sure where you live but walgreens has them called "PennyTalk" or you can go online and order them. Hang in there, I know sounds crazy, but these kids used too cell phones so they don't have to remember numbers?? I bought small address book and filled out for my son before he left. Not sure if I would have gotten call if I didn't. (embarrased to say)..  and YES THANKS TO ALL OF THE ADMIN/MODERATORS... I would be in straight jack by now.