Just Back from PIR

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For all you moms waiting for PIR, let me tell you it is absolutely the best day of your lives and worth every anxious second you have spent worrying if your son or daughter would get to that day. It is a wonderful, moving ceremony especially when the divisions come in. And the performing units are fantastic. Just a few helpful hints for those getting ready to make plans. We stayed in Gurnee which is just two exits off 94 from the base. It has a mall, movie theatre, plenty of hotels and just about any restaurant you can imagine. We opted for Giordano's deep dish pizza on Grand Avenue. There were plenty of other navy families there to share the joy. Then it was off to a movie and back to base. They absolutely don't want to be late for their return so my son was pushing us to have him back by 7 and apparently every other recruit did the same thing. Going into Chicago will take at least an hour each way.Don't go to the NEX right after graduation, it will eat up your time. You can drop your recruit off before they have to be back to their ships and shop then. If you want a spot on the floor at PIR you have to get there at 6:30. We stopped for breakfast and arrived at 7:15 and had to sit up in the balcony area. Actually I think we saw more from there. They allow you to sit right in front of your son or daughter's division and sitting higher allows you to spot them. If your recruit is Grad N Go, get the number for the USO at Midway or OHare and call right before you arrive and have your recruit paged..they will meet you at the ticket counter and get a pass so you can wait with them until their flight leaves. They cannot bring electronics back to base so you will have to bring their cell phones, lap tops, ipods, kindles etc to them at the airport. They don't need civilian clothes because they won't wear them for at least a month while in A school. They usually take the recruits to the airport at an ungodly hour but I can tell you they appreciate the extra time with you and getting their connection back to the world. It was heartwarming to see all the Navy uniforms at Midway today and how many civilians stopped to thank them for their service.

Don't be surprised at how reserved, calm, mature, and settled your child is. We weathered the tears at PIR but really lost it when my son picked up the tab for lunch.

Because we brought the younger children, we opted for a crazy place called Key Lime Cove in Gurnee. It has an indoor water park and a full fledged spa.Expensive but worth it for fun and relaxation. Lots of restaurants inside for one stop fun in the winter months. We can also recommend the aquarium in Chicago, Sears Tower,,and any new sub moms (like me) the Science and Industry museum all on Lake Shore Drive. Couldn't have had such a great graduation weekend without all the input from this site..so I hope this advice helps.

Best of Luck to all on this journey. God bless our new sailors and safe trips to all of them today

[Anita MA Mom]

Thanks for your input! I can't wait till we go! Our sons PIR is 12/17 so right around the corner. Thanks for the tips. My husband already planned for us to be there at 630, but I think I would rather sit in the balcony. Best wishes to you and your sailor. Many Blessings to you!!

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Anita

Your son's PIR is on my son's birthday, It will be cold, so I recommend layering. It is warm though in the actual building, One other piece of advice..print out more than gate pass..and if your son or daughter is grad n go to GL..it will take acouple hours for them to process and change ships..don't expect them to be free for liberty until around 1p

[Anita MA Mom]

Thanks navbarbe! I am going to print out some gate passes but I don't think we will need one we riding the shuttle in for PIR. We may go back though on later that after noon to go to the NEX. Nick is free to go right after graduation he is off till 12/28 he gets to come home with us (PRAISE THE LORD). Hope your son has a great Bday!! Thanks for the pointers. Only 11 days left.

[donnag]

Thanks for the info I am so excited I can hardly wait. My sons graduate December 22! My only concern is how is the weather going to be? Im from Colorado and Im used to the snow but I hear it gets a lot worse in the Great Lakes. Im flying in on the 21st and trying to find a reasonable way of transportation to my hotel as they do not have shuttle servies from the airport to the hotel, any suggestions?

[Lynne]

I think all your advice was good EXCEPT everyone phases up differently and my sailor was wearing civilian clothes by week 2, and within the confines of his own room was wearing them almost right away...so some clothing they do want, it depends on how they phase up.

[Pamela]

My son leaves today for boot camp and taking all this is in is overwhelming! I'm just hoping I get "the box" right away so that we know when his PIR is. He hasn't even left yet and I already can't wait to see him again! I'm a nervous wreck. He's 21 and definitely made the right choice. I know this, but, am still so nervous for him. He's been very quiet the past few days and has just wanted to spend time watching tv with me. Not much talking involved. But, that's okay, I understand. Leaving home for the first time is so scary. Especially, when it's 900 miles away. He will at least be in nuke school once he graduates. That's only a 5 hour drive for us. We'll be able to visit him often. Love this site! Wish me luck today, I'm gonna need it.

[my sweet sailor]

had a wonderful weekend with our granddaughter sailor. flew into milwaukee and drove 5 0 miles south to the base. the residence inn by merriott in waukeegan was beautiful and they gave us a navy rate of 79. a night. we took their shuttle to the base at 6:15 to get in line for the graduation. it was so so cold, glad we dressed warm. it snowed a lot that day. after graduation she went back to check into her a school (operation specialist). then around 3 she called us and we picked her up at the visitors station and she stayed all weekend with us. oh, the stories she told! she looked so handsome in her uniform. sure made the best memories ever. chelsea's mom

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I agree, the grad n go and phasing up part is different for each sailor. There was a lot of information about giving your sailor a black back pack with their civvies and electronics at their airport before departure but my son wanted no part of it..just took it in a plastic bag. I would also recommend getting the little sailor caps for 5 dollars and the water bottles at PIR. I asked my son to save all of his letters which I am putting in a scrapbook for his Christmas present. Right now the whole holiday leave thing is up in the air.

[Proud Mom]

I also just got back from PIR. I agree with most of the things you said except for the clothes. I brought him some clothes because as soon as he gets into phase 2 he will beable to wear them.