PIR

[Diane]

hello

my son is graduating april 22nd DIV 160 then leaving for Texas for MOA training. I was wondering if anyone knew how long we will get to spend with him, whether he will be a grad and go or how long he will be in IL. We are trying to schedule air and hotel and not sure what to do. We keep getting different answers ugh. Thank you in advance for any answers.

[lemonelephant]

You will have from about 10:30 am when Liberty is called until sometime that evening, usually sometime between 7 and 9 pm (your Sailor will know). Your Sailor will most likely fly out to "A" School the day after PIR and you can meet him at the airport and spend time with him before his flight and give him a few things. See PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) to help you know how to plan your weekend. Arrive on Thursday and plan to leave late Saturday or on Sunday.

MOA is not a rating. If you mean Master at Arms (MA), then I left info on your My Page. If you meant something else, then let me know. The ratings with "A" School in Texas are Construction Electrician (CE) and Utilitiesman (UT) at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls and Hospital Corpsman (HM) at Ft. Sam Houston and Master at Arms at Lackland AFB in San Antonio.

Grad and Go is an outdated term. By the old standards, ALL Sailors graduating PIR weekend would be considered grad and go since they all depart the RTC within 24 hours of PIR. Only those going across the street at GL depart for "A" School on the day of PIR. Those flying out have Liberty and time with family on the day of PIR.

[NalaLucy01]

My son just graduated on the 11th and we got him from 1030 Friday until 1800 Friday evening and then we met up with him at his airport on Saturday and spent a few hours with him well worth us spending our entire Saturday at an airport...we flew out of O'hare he flew out of Midway going to San Antonio. I highly recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Waukegan off of Lakehurst, it put us 15 min from the base and they had van service for the graduation morning. I also recommend Thursday night at Sundance Saloon with meet and greet with Sarge. We got there on Wednesday evening and had time to relax and do whatever on Thursday durning the day and then Thursday night went to the meet and greet, then spent all day with our Sailor on Friday after Graduation. 

[Diane]

Congrats to your new Sailor...you must be proud beyond words!! Thank you so much for all that helpful info. Is your son training for MA? If so then maybe my son will be on the same type of schedule. We had booked the Marriot express in Libertyville because of their live streaming since we have 7 people going with us and are worried that they may only let 4 of us in then at least they will get to see something. Our recruiter said they allow more but I'm not so sure.

Also thank you for mentioning the meet and greet, how many of us can attend? 

[lemonelephant]

Diane, Extras cannot enter the Drill Hall for PIR, but they MAY be permitted to go to the Chapel to want the Livestream. It is best if extras stay at the hotel and watch the Livestream when that is an option.

There is no limit on the number who can attend Sarge's Meet and Greet from 5 pm to 10 pm at the Sundance Event Center (go to http://www.mynavytaxi.com/events.html to RSVP).

Check your My Page.

[lemonelephant]

NalaLucy01, does your Sailor have a contract for HM or MA?

[NalaLucy01]

lemonelephant, my son is contract for  MA.

Diane, thank you yes very excited.  Lemonelephant is correct i stayed at hotel to watch the ceremony with my 3yr old (i'm glad i did) the live stream does cut in and out quite often but you do get to see most of it. I didn't even try to go to the Chapel b/c it was much easier to watch from the hotel room. We got him right after they said liberty and had to have him back by 19:00, but we had him back at 1815 due to the fact they have to walk back to their barracks and are NOT aloud to run or double time in their Dress Blues and my son used to not care whether he was just "on time" or late after BC he cared, he was even stressing that he made it back on time. He left for the airport at 1230 am and was there until he boarded at around 1500...long day for him. He was able to get us back there past the gates so we could spend more time with him and had lunch before we had to take off to our airport which was O'hare...he flew out of Midway...only to fly to Atlanta and then San Antonio. At the point you see him in the airport if you can he can then have his cell phone, they can not have it going back to barracks on grad night.

Sarge's meet and greet anyone can come, but make sure you know your son's division as you will sit with other parents in that division and trust me Sarge will call you out if you don't. It was a great night, and that is coming from my husband who is not a crowd person. The drinks you do have to buy, and the food is provided but he appreciates donations as he and his wife are the ones that put this together and trust me it's worth the donation. I hope you enjoy your trip, and enjoy every minute with your Sailor. We went for lunch and then to the park in Libertyville and then ended up at the mall...our situation was a little different as we couldn't all go back to one hotel...blended split families. But we made the most of the day for our Sailor. Any other questions please feel free to ask away.

Congrats to you,  

[NalaLucy01]

Oh and ONLY the 4 that your son put down for PIR day will be aloud, make sure you have your driver's license with you and the car pass if you drive to base. ARRIVE early, Sarge will give you shortcuts to grad hall...make sure you listen as he'll save you lots of time and headaches.

[lemonelephant]

NalaLucy, I left info on your My Page.