PIR Reference Information

We'll be staying in Libertyville and have a rental car - a straight shot on Buckley to the RTC. We're early risers and I'd MUCH prefer to do my waiting at the hall rather than on the street in traffic creeping toward the gate worried about parking. What time does that mean leaving the hotel??

The Gates to the PIR open at 6:30

We were just given some info from the RTC regarding some new baggage rules, and some old now reinforced rules  for PIR. Please read them. There will be no exceptions.

Starting 8/18 new baggage rules are going into effect: No big bags, period. No luggage, no gift bags or anything of the sort. You cannot leave stuff at the visitors desk as they no longer will be responsible for your items.

MULTIPLE SEARCHES POSSIBLE: Every person, bag, and vehicle on the base is subject to search. Metal detectors and other security devices are in use on board Recruit Training Command. Expect some delay at the security checkpoints. 

NO WEAPONS! Weapons possession on federal installations is highly regulated and those in violation are subject to arrest and prosecution.

This is just a thought for those preparing to attend PIR soon.  When we attended the graduation of our sailor, I prepared a goodie bag - with a generic card containing a little cash, some candy, gum, shout wipes and a lint roller for my sailor to give to a friend who did not have family present graduation weekend.  Not all families are able to be present to support their sailors at PIR.  We wanted to do "just a little bit" to encourage a sailor who did not have family present.  Just a thought to consider :-)

Shout wipes and a lint roller, where did you get that idea? I would definitely do that for someone. There was a girl leaving the same time as my son and her family (father and brother left right after swearing in) felt bad for her as other families hung around to spend more time with their SR's. So, I would love to do something nice for someone without family. Jeez, it's making sad thinking about someone not having family there to support them.

question regarding what can be brought on base for graduation. I read no cell phones on base, does that include graduation. Just asking because I use mine for the camera. Do I need to bring a separate camera?

thank you hooyahsuzy!

Karen if you are staying at the Navy Lodge its only two miles from Ceremonial Hall. go north on Meredian dr turn right on Buckley take the sheridan exit turn left on sheridan and turn right on D st and you are there. if you do plan of driving get in line really early the line begins around 5 or 5:30 and the line gets long.

If staying at the Navy Lodge, is it best to take a shuttle to the PIR, rather than a rental car?

Is this group PIR at Greater Lakes?

MyAwesome2 not sure what you are asking But if you click on one of the dates below for your SR'S PIR it will take you to that group. But Yes this is fro Great Lakes IL.

Hello all, I am looking for PIR graduating on January 5th. 

So sorry for the delay folks...here are the next two PIR groups:

PIR January 5, 2018 TG 09 - 14 Divisions, 043 - 054 and 908 & 9...

PIR January 12, 2018 TG 10 - 7 Divisions, 055 - 060 and 910. Each r...

As of this time the number of permitted Guests for the January 5th stands at four. IF there is a change then we will let you know. It is a large TG. In the past it would've been three guests. 

Also, the January TG will be the only TG eligible for Christmas Adopt-A-Sailor. You will receive a separate form in your packet that your recruit sends home to you. For more information about Adopt-A-Sailor please go to this link on the RTC FB Notes page:

2017 Christmas Adopt-A-Sailor program

Keep checking PIR: January 26, 2018 TG 12 and join when it is up.

the January TG will be the only TG eligible for Christmas Adopt-A-Sailor. You will receive a separate form in your packet that your recruit sends home to you. For more information about Adopt-A-Sailor please go to this link on the RTC FB Notes page:

2017 Christmas Adopt-A-Sailor program

US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois

out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO posts random photos randomly. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC. They do not have pages that follow a particular division. 

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at the RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR. 

Divisions 061, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 068, 069, 070, 911, 805 for January 19, 2018

Divisions 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 077, 078, 079, 080, 912, 806 for January 26, 2018.

PIR: December 15, 2017 TG 06 - 8 Divisions (037-042 and 906, 907) 4 guests 

      NO PIR: December 22, 2017 & December 29, 2017

      PIR: January 5, 2018 TG 09 - 14 Divisions (043-054, 908 and 909)  4 guests

      PIR: January 12, 2018 TG 10 - 7 Divisions (055-060 and 910) 4 guests

      PIR: January 19, 2018 TG 11 - 12 Divisions (061-070, 805 and 911) 4 guests       

      PIR: January 26, 2018 TG 12 - 12 Divisions (071-080, 806 and 912) 4 guests                                              

You can avoid most tolls by using Route 41, it goes all the way to Chicago and will get you from Chicago to RTC and nearby lodging. If you are traveling through Chicago on the way to and from Great Lakes, follow 94 East which merges into Route 41 to avoid toll roads. Your hotel may be able to give you directions to the RTC that will avoid toll roads.

Check out https://www.facebook.com/NavyRecruitTrainingCommand. The PAO posts random photos randomly. There is no guarantee that your recruit will be photoed, but it is fun to look at the photos and get an idea of what is happening at the RTC. They do not have pages that follow a particular division. 

https://www.facebook.com/ASBPGreatLakes has pics of some of the recruits who give blood while at the RTC. Those donations occur about 2 weeks (10 to 16 days depending on the division) before PIR. 

Any recommendations for where to stay? Has anyone used the shuttle vs parking on site? The hotel reviews indicated one of them has a prostitution business running right there! 

Please join the PIR group for your recruits graduation date. You can ask questions and find the answers to your questions in that group.

owlhunter when you receive the form letter there will be a brochure enclosed. if you come to Boot camp for Moms you can find much needed info. but here are the hotels near base.

 RTC Friends and Family Brochure July 2017 rev.pdf.)

See Saving Money PIR Weekend and PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend.

PIR: March 23, 2018 TG 20 - 10 Divisions (129-136, 809 and 920) 

PIR: March 30, 2018 TG 21 - 9 Divisions (137-144 and 921)  

PIR: April 6, 2018 TG 22 - 11 Divisions (145-152, 810, 811, and 922) 

PIR: April 13, 2018 TG 23 - 11 Divisions (153-162 and 923) 

PIR: April 20, 2018 TG 24 - 13 Divisions (163-174 and 924)  

PIR: April 27, 2018 TG 25 - 12 Divisions (175-185 and 925)  

PIR: May 4, 2018 TG 26 - 10 Divisions (187-196, 812 and 926)           

This PIR is not up and running as of yet, But once it is please Join.

Some hotels offer free or low cost (usually around $3 per person) shuttle services to and from PIR. Some shuttles will allow the new Sailor to ride free with a paying person who is booked at the hotel. You will need to check on the cost and availability of shuttle services when booking your hotel. Be sure to ask what the "shuttle" is because the "shuttle" at some hotels may be a bus, a van, or a taxi.

If you take a taxi or shuttle or otherwise walk in, it is about 100 yards to the Visitors Center from the gate and then about the same to the Drill Hall. Dress warmly in winter and wear comfortable shoes all year round.

The Navy Gateway Inns & Suites is located on the main part of the base, about 1.5 miles from the RTC. This option is now available only for those with a military or dependent ID. Go to http://ngis.dodlodging.net/propertys/Great-Lakes-NS---IL or call 877-NavyBed (877-628-9233). You will need to give your recruit's name and division number when making the reservation and/or when checking in.

The Navy Lodge is located 1.9 miles off base from the RTC in the Forestal Village Housing area and guests of graduation are allowed to stay there since your recruit/Sailor will be your sponsor. You will need to give your recruit's name, rate (E-1, E-2, or E-3), and division number when making the reservation and/or when checking in. Go to https://www.navy-lodge.com/lodge_page.html?p_lodge_number=05 or call (847)689-1485. All rooms are non-smoking. They also have some family suites that include a kitchen as well as some rooms with kitchenettes.

Taxi/Shuttle/Car Rental

If you are using Sarge's Transportation service for PIR, he is wonderful and will ask you if you want to "carpool" with other families arriving or leaving near the same time, which saves money for all. On your PIR group page, you can post your arrival time/airport and see if others will be coming in around the same time. He gives good rates anyway, but it is even better when you can split the cab fare with others. If you use his service from the airport, then he will take you to/from PIR for free. Sarge can be found on here as OldSarge and there is information on his rates on his profile page.

You could use Sarge's services to get from the airport to Waukegan where car rental rates are less expensive than rates near the airport. Be sure to figure in his rates to see if this will result in a savings for you. Most car rental agencies have shuttles from the airports to an off-site location, so ask about that when checking rates.

Here is the website to find more information on Taxi services From Sarge's Taxi Service.

 www.mynavytaxi.com/goodies.html it is also smartphone friendly. 

Driving

Some have discovered that it is actually less expensive for them to drive when they factored in the airfare and car rental or taxi fees.

You can avoid most tolls by using Route 41, it goes all the way to Chicago and will get you from Chicago to the RTC and nearby lodging. If you are traveling through Chicago on the way to and from Great Lakes, follow 94 East which merges into Route 41 to avoid toll roads. Your hotel may be able to give you directions to the RTC that will avoid toll roads

This is in reference to the comment about driving.

The tolls are not expensive if you have an "EASY PASS" or an "I-PASS" When traveling from O'Hare to the Great lakes area you are adding at least an hour and 15 mins to your trip using the side streets. O'Hare airport is located on the west end of the city and using route 41 is not an option. If you are flying into Midway, when you leave the airport you can take the I-55 (no tolls) and then merge onto I-94 and then merge on to US route 41.This route will add at least 1.5 hours of driving in city traffic. My advice is if you are trying to limit your expenses and are not concerned with additional driving times in heavy city traffic, then go for it. Remember, during rush hour it can take over 2 hours to go from Midway to the base and at least 1.7 hours from O'Hare. Take the tollway. The extra expense (less than $5.00) is worth the time saving and heavy traffic. Take a moment and read the survival guide located at www.mynavytaxi.com/goodies.html  **see the chapter on rental cars** Safe travels and don't forget to sign up for the meet and greet www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html 

This PIR is not up and Running once it is please join

Looking for PIR MAY 25 group. Maybe not up just yet?

Ladies these PIR's are up and running they are posted on Boot Camp Moms. Just click on your PIR.

There will be lots of information for you in those groups!!!

PIR: April 20, 2018 TG 24 - 13 Divisions (163-174 and 924)  

PIR: April 27, 2018 TG 25 - 11 Divisions (175-178, 181-186 and 925)  

PIR: May 4, 2018 TG 26 - 10 Divisions (187-190, 193-196, 812 and 926) 

PIR: May 11, 2018 TG 27 - 9 Divisions (199-200, 203-208 and 927) 

PIR: May 18, 2018 TG 28 - 11 Divisions (209-218 and 928) 

PIR: May 25, 2018 TG 29 - 13 Divisions (219-226, 229-232, and 929) 

PIR: June 01, 2018 TG 30 - 10 Divisions (233-238, 813-815, and 930) 

PIR: June 08, 2018 TG 31  7 Divisions (239-244, and 931

Good Morning sarah9310 that PIR is not up and running as of yet. when It does I will post, thank You.

Good morning, curious as to what our Sailors wear on liberty weekend.  I believe they wear their dress whites on Friday.  But if they are staying in GL, what will they wear on Sat and Sun?  Thank you.

Hi Momof2Sailors, I believe that for Liberty weekend at Great Lakes sailors wear their NSU uniform aka peanut butters on Sat/ Sun. My daughter is also staying in GL for A school. Can hardly wait!!!

Good Morning Ladies, since they will be wearing their drerss whites I'm guessing what roberta said brown pants and brownish /beige shirt, if that is called peanut butters. they are very nice. in public they must have their hat on and carry their belongings in hand.

Thanks Phoenixmom and Roberta!  Five more Fridays to go! :) 

Whooo Hooo! that is awesome!

this is the correct website for RTC 

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/index.html