Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones)

Happy Saturday, Moms!

Looking for hotel advice... we are 5 (6 with my SR) and will need adjoining rooms. Can anyone suggest a place that can take a big group? Also, 2 of my teenage sons will have to stay behind since we only have 2 tickets. Will the hotel live stream the PIR? Thank you all! 

Hi Melissa, 

Be sure to check out some of this information that we have on this group page - PIR Weekend Experiences - Post Covid - Navy For Moms (ning.com) (this discussion is recent with some of the moms sharing their experiences, or read through past posts.) 

These are from the pages in the upper right of this group page. Be sure to scroll all the way through the information for motel comments. - Saving Money PIR Weekend - Navy For Moms (ning.com)  & PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend - Navy For Moms (ning.com)  (be sure to scroll through and read information there as well, the first part may need to be updated but there is a lot of good stuff still here.)

As far as a large group, you might need to look into suites, or call the motels. When my son went 5 years ago, they sent us a brochure with the form letter of motels in the area. I do not know if they are still doing that or not. But calling, or doing Google searches also work. - Springhill Suites gets recommended a lot, I think there is a link is the info.

You may also check with the Navy Lodge Navy Lodge Great Lakes: Navy and Military PCS Housing, Great Lakes,...

As far as living streaming in the motel, you will need to ask about that. But RTC does live stream, so make sure the motel offers free WiFi or it can be watched on the replay. 

The RTC website has a host of information on it, and the link for the live stream is in the yellow banner on this page - Recruit Training Command Home Page (navy.mil)

Your sailor will only be able to possibly spend the night with you, if he is staying GL for A school. If he is flying out to his A school, you might want to read this discussion of mine, scroll through the pages for updates - What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL - Navy For ...

Finally, don't forget to read through the information above the discussion area as well.  All the best to your SR!!

Welcome Patti!

Hi Melissa - You should actually get 3 or 4 tickets now depending on the number of Divisions in you in our SRs graduating class. We booked The Navy Lodge (PIR 11/23/22).  We didn't get a suite, but I have heard they have them. I have also heard good things about Springhill Suites by Marriott and Sonesta ES. Some hotels do livestream, several restaurant's apparently do too.  It's also livestreamed on YouTube.  Maybe bring a laptop?  Hope this helps!

I wanted to mention/second about bringing a laptop.. with the right hdmi cable you can hook your laptop to the tv in the room and watch PIR that way if they don't stream it elsewhere. Free wifi is a standard now I think.. or should be.

Good Morning Everyone!! 

It seems that the cold wind of winter is coming to most of us. I am thankful for sunshine! 

Trey - that is a good point about the HDMI cable!! We got stuck on a spring break vacation with a late snow fall. The amusement park which had just opened for the season, closed early and we were stuck in a motel room. My husband's laptop could play a rental DVD, but we had to buy an HDMI cable so we could hook it to the TV screen. 

Rosanne - hopefully you will get a little extra time with your sailor after PIR!

Thanks everyone! I'll make some calls today for hotels.

Another question... My SR will be going to school in Pensacola after PIR. Since he graduates on a Thursday bc of the holiday, any ideas of how much time he could get with liberty? Thanks!

Also, thank you for the HDMI cable idea for my other kids at the hotel!

Happy Monday!

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

 PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 2022

Here's a video posted online (6/13/22) that shows the 10 weeks of boot camp:

What US Navy Recruits Go Through

And if you are interested in seeing what happens during the "Confidence Chamber" aka gas chamber here is a video link:

Boot Camp Gas Chamber

Me again... would you recommend rental car or shuttle/Sarge taxi?

USPS Informed Delivery - Sign up and receive an email from the US Postal Service showing what mail you will be getting each day (if available in your area).  

Informed Delivery®

Melissa - we used Sarge back in 2012 - no car rental and we were there from Wednesday night to Sunday.  I definitely recommend Sarge.

Melissa - Good luck!

Chipmunk - She's staying in Great Lakes for A School, so from what I understand we will! :)

**Reminder**

THERE IS NO MEET AND GREET FOR 10/20/22.

Sarge has surgery scheduled.

Melissa - be sure to read my discussion What PIR weekend may be like for those flying out of GL - Navy For ... - 

Just because there is a holiday, there is no guarantee that someone flying out of GL will get extra liberty. I would stay flexible and give yourself some extra time in GL, if nothing else than to go to Chicago and see the sites. But most likely your sailor will fly out the next day to FL. So, be prepared both ways. 

RTC has a constant rotation of SRs in and sailors out. Those that fly out (unless they get sent to THU - Temporary Holding Unit, which is another possibility), stay on the BC side, and they have to get shipped out to make room for more incoming SRs. 

Rosanne - That is nice that you should get some extra time.  

We don't rent cars when travelling for several reasons.. every time I have gone to GL, (PIR and two other visits) I use Sarge's Taxi's.. He has several drivers and have never had any issues.. I use them mainly for airport back/forth.. short trips I use Uber. 

We also had Sarge's service drop us at the train station and we took the train into Chicago for the day.  Then while in Chicago we bought a one day bus pass - and the pass was free for our son, he just showed his military ID.  We were able to hop on & off the bus at various locations.  We also did a LOT of walking lol. And this was in December!

Melissa -- I think it's really personal preference.  We rented because we wanted to flexibility to go when and where we wanted.  We also have rarely even taken taxi's because of where we live/grew up.  They are not common in the suburbs/ semi-rural area we grew up in so it's just not our first thought.  I have since been on a couple of trips where Uber/taxi was the better option. For GL-- we rented.  That way when we were driving to the airport at 1 am we were not keeping some one else up late. That's our $.02

Happy Tuesday!

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 2022

WooHoo, We have a Sailor!!!!! Div 383!!!!!!

Cindi - Congratulations!! Bravo Zulu!!

Cindi - woohoo!  BZ!

Cindi - just to confirm - Division 383 shows an 11/4 PIR.  You already got the call?

woohoo Cindi..

Congratulations Cindi!

Congrats, Cindy!! And your sailor!!

Congratulations Cindy!!! Yay!!!!!

Cindi@FrostyAcres - Congratulations!!

Woo hoo!  Cindi@FrostyAcres - Congrats to you and your sailor!

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 2022

Reminder - NO Meet N Greet tomorrow (10/20) as Sarge is having surgery.

REMINDER FROM THE US NAVY RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND FACEBOOK PAGE:

Everyone who is planning on attending a graduation ceremony MUST personally obtain a ticket, which will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center the week of your recruit's graduation. Tickets are free of charge, but you must have valid photo ID to obtain your ticket (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, or, for minors, a student ID, driver's permit, SSN card, birth certificate,) AND you MUST also have your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card.

WELCOME CENTER ADDRESS/GPS: Navy Exchange (NEX) Burkey Mall, 2650 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60088 (Do NOT use generic terms such as NEX, Recruit Training Command or Naval Station Great Lakes).

I read the comments every day.  I am trying to remain positive and encouraging, not only to him but to myself.  He called the other day, failed again.  He is now only 50 seconds away from goal.  Completely doable.  Retest again today or tomorrow he said. This could be his last chance.  He is angry with himself, depressed that he has let me down along with those that have been sending him encouragement and believed in him.  He says he can see the finish line.  I said, if this indeed was his last chance and they separated him, that it was ok for him to come home.  He should be proud of what he has endured and accomplished.  He can come home, work on what he needs to and go back in 6 months.  He also sent his pictures home.  They came in the mail last night.  He has lost weight and looks so handsome, but he is missing his glasses.  Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, advice and well wishes.

Congrats to those that have sailors and those that have had PIR since I last commented.

JNMnavtmymomOH- I too have been praying for your son. He’s going to get the next time I just know it!!!! What a strong family you are. Please hang in there.BNMHs!!!!!

BZ to you and your new Sailor Cindy!

JNMnavymomOH - praying that his feet have wings!  And remind him if he doesn't pass this isn't a failure and it isn't the end of the world.  He can try again in 6 months.....but let's stay positive for now - he's got this!

JNMnavymom, praying Jesus takes a hold of his right hand and pulls him across that finish line with seconds to spare. He sure is a inspiration and I would definitely fight to have him on my team.

JNMnavymomOH - Thank you for the update!  We are praying for you and your son.  It is *not* a failure if he leaves and returns in 6 months ...  BUT I am praying for an amazing victory in his next run!  What a story he will have to tell when he gets to the other side!  Big hugs to you!!!!

JNMnavymomOH - I am just now getting to my messages here. My prayers are being joined with the others!!

Me too, JNMnavymomOH! Praying like crazy for you all during this time. It is so amazing how he has stuck with it. That is the kind of kid I want teaching my kids some day, in whatever he does, because he understands what it feels like to have to work so hard and will be such an encourager. 

Be sure to join your PIR group.  Here are the links:

PIR DECEMBER 2022

PIR NOVEMBER 2022

PIR OCTOBER 2022

JNMnavymomOH - Prayers your son flies on Eagles wings for his next test. 

I got the call!  Proud mom of a sailor, Division 389.  He said his whole division passed!