My son is a singer so when I first came across the info on the 900 divisions I wondered if he might end up in one. But then I figured out that the band/triple threat division would be 926 and have PIR a week later than my sons.  While it would have been great to see him in the choir I'm glad he's not an extra week at boot camp. 

Our baby girl turns 18 today, and our oldest son arrived at BC on March 14th...it is the first ever birthday that all of our family will not be together...did not realize how I would miss this until this morning in my quiet time...tears just started flowing. We were hoping to get his form letter today, but not yet. It will come in God's timing, which is always perfect. Thanking God for His peace and His joy which carries us through. : )

Here are the current PIR groups:

PIR: March 31, 2017 TG 21 - 7 Divisions (105-110 & 921) 4 guests

PIR: April 7, 2017 TG 22 - 7 Divisions (111-116 & 922) 4 guests

PIR: April 14, 2017 TG 23 - 9 Divisions (117-124 & 923) 4 guests

PIR: April 21, 2017 TG 24 - 10 Divisions (125-132, 811 & 924) 4 guests

PIR: April 28, 2017 TG 25 - 5 Divisions (133-136 and 925) 4 guests

PIR: May 5, 2017 TG 26 - 9 Divisions (137-144 & 926) 4 guests

PIR: May 12, 2017 TG 27

Click on the date of your recruit’s PIR and join the group to connect with others with loved ones training with your recruit.

It seems the most likely scenario is 9 Fridays but that is not set in stone. 

Momto4ds read the info in the link on this page titled 

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC

Momth4ds, The general rule is 9 weeks from arrival, then on that Friday, but...

The best thing to do is wait for the form letter to find out the PIR date. There are many factors that could put your SR in the TG a week earlier, and possibly a week later than expected.

Our son and wife reserved two rooms at a  hotel in Waukegan and we'll stay there also with them .  Still trying to check on flights for the 26th of April but so expensive to arrive at O'Hare......any ideas???  SW only goes to Midway.....not sure what to really do now!  Bummer!!!

carleys_nana   try getting a flight to Milwaukee MKE airport it is south of Milwaukee so you won't deal with bad traffic at all and it is a very easy drive, I say it's easier than driving from Chicago, I'm a Chicago native and if I had the choice I would much rather fly into Milwaukee instead and drive south to Illinois because Great Lakes is not far from the Wisconsin border.  The Chicago traffic is horrible anyways from either airport.  It's the easier option and it probably cheaper than flying into O'Hare

Gmom, some go eat. Some go to the museum. Some go to the hotel. Others wait in Building 1326 at the RTC Recreation Center located next to the NEX. The waiting time can be 2 to 5 hours for your Sailor to check in across the street. You will meet him at the Visitors Center across the street (NOT the one where you checked in for PIR) when he calls.

Also, the Museum is located at the Main Base up  the street not at RTC. :-)

Here is a link to RTC website that talks a leedle bit about the Museum ( there is also a link on that page that takes you to the Museum website):

Graduation schedule and Great Lakes Naval Museum

Suggestions on what airport to fly into and where to stay. Also, should we rent a car or just use a taxi? Approximately how much leisure time do we get with our sailor?

Missy1976 give me some more info such as where would you be coming from, and is your SR going to be at GL after boot camp for A school?  Are you wanting to rent a car and drive to GL after you fly in?  I am a native Chicagoan and have lived on the south side of Chicago my entire life and I am very familiar with the traffic and expressways.  

Missy1976  I will say this though about flying in, I know both airports in Chicago very well and the traffic associated near them, I actually lived a mile from Midway for 4 years and most of my life lived in the south suburbs about 20 mins from Midway.  The absolute best option if I was flying in would actually be to fly into Milwaukee's airport, it is south of downtown Milwaukee, so you wouldn't have to deal with any bad traffic in Milwaukee, but compared to Chicago, Milwaukee doesn't have bad traffic at all but you are not even going to be in downtown Milwaukee, it is only 55 miles south to Great Lakes

tpadul, we're flying out of New Orleans to Midway...that's our best option i think. Didn't think about Milwaukee....55 miles sounds like we need a rental car.

Missy1976  Yes, if you were planning on renting a car anyways after flying in then Milwaukee would be better but if you don't want to rent a car then flying into Midway is the better option as it is closer to downtown Chicago, and after you arrive at Midway you can take the Orange Line EL train right into downtown, its a very short Orange line ride about 30mins if I remember correctly, and then once you are downtown finding the right train station to get the local commuter METRA train line up to Great Lakes is very easy, once you arrive at the train stop at Great Lakes you would either use UBER or arrange rides with Sarge's Taxi service during your time.  

Thanks tpadul for your great information.....we are in the same situation flying in from the West Coast.  Unfortunately, our flight schedule doesn't meet up with our son's arrival from the South.....he and his wife would have to wait at Midway for 4 hrs until we arrive there; don't want them to do that.  I see Sarge's taxi will pick up at Midway and may be cheaper than renting a car to drive the hour to GL......still appreciate all the comments and advice!!!

ShawnMom- So there is a shuttle from the Navy Lodge to PIR. We are flying in on a Wednesday to Chicago O'Hare and have a rent-a-car reserved and staying at the Navy Lodge,but my husband couldn't find out if they have a shuttle.  Would you recommend taking the shuttle because we want to get there at 6am, 30 minutes before the gate opens. What do you recommend?

Is there a different route that has no toll fare? Toll fare is new coming from California.

Flying there i should of been more specific. And landing in O'Hare.

JJ-Joyce there is a shuttle you must sign up for it at check in . I think I read it is 3.00 a person and they drop you at the front gate and you need to walk in to the base .we will be driving on base and have or parking passes ready to go . I think driving in give you a bit more flexibility. 

PeppermintJoeysMom  are you renting a car ?

proudnavymom2017

yes i am :)

Proudnavymom2017 - Thank you that confirms my husband wanting to drive with our rent-a-car.  He can't walk too far and we do have parking pass.  Thank you so much!

Yes, we are renting a car from O'Hare Airport on Wednesday morning is when our flight lands and we are scheduled to fly out Saturday Evening.

Well, not renting from the Airport, the rent-a-cars are at Airport, I meant to say 

PeppermintJoeysMom I sent you an IM

Okay where do I go to IM you back?

Sorry, I see you were talking to PeppermintJoeysMom.

So how long of a walk is it from the gate where the shuttle drops you off to where you go in for graduation?

JJ-Joyce I just read it is about 100 yards from the gate to the drill hall.  

Is that about a 10 minute walk? Do you know?

Probably, I'm happy that it's only 100 yards ~ the way it sounded I thought it was going to be a hike.  

That's what I was worried about.  My 26 yr old daughter and myself have no problem but my husband has a hard time.

Aw, will your husband be able to do that amount of walking?  I hope he can.

Me too.  So you are going to graduation this Friday?

Aw, will your husband be able to do that amount of walking?  I hope he can.

If he can we will see.

You go girl!!!!

Sansan61, there is info in PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend for you on Extras going to the Chapel to see the Livestream.

Is there a group for moms who's recruit leaves in May for boot camp?

Wisconsinmom - Yes, there is :-)

Here is a link:

DEP-Leavin for bootcamp in May

My-Son-Bug - I hear you.  Our son has been at boot camp a month now.  So far that first 2 or 3 weeks is the hardest until you get their contact info and then some personal contact from them.  This site helps a lot as there are others in the same boat.  Be sure you answer the phone tonight and it will be a very short call - ours was about 20 seconds.

My-Son-Bug - Love to tell you the total snot dripping sobbing will get better, but let's face facts we are MOMS.  That is our job.  My one and only walked away from me, got in the car and LOST it.  Tried very hard not to let him see me cry.  He knew.  Didn't sleep until I got the I'm Here call then cried after I got the call.  I say a prayer for all the Moms and their SR.  Being there for each other is what we will do.