Confused about length of stay in great lakes to reserve hotel/get flight etc in advance w/out knowing husbands status (like if he's a grad and go or not)

[proud Navy wife!]

Hi, so I've been sifting through pages and pages of this forums discussions and I did searches and I cant for the life of my find an answer to my question so I thought I'd start a discussion.

 

How do I determine how many days to be gone for PIR? Like when should I set my return flight for and how many days should I book w/a hotel??

 

Everyone in all their advice concerning PIR says to make sure and book early for best pricing and to make sure you get the hotel of your choice but I do not know if my husband is a grad and go yet or if he will get all weekend... I've heard of other families who've even got up to 5 days w/their recruits after PIR! I want (and am able thankfully) as much time as I can get w/my hubby but I dont know how to go about planning this? I dont want to get a hotel for one night and he has all weekend and I dont want to stay after he's gone as it's only me going to his graduation.

 

When do they find out if they are grad and go, and does anyone have any experience w/changing reservations because of their sailor being one?

 

Thank you for your help, have an amazing day!!!

[proud Navy wife!]

I know, the waiting is the worst. It only took like 5 days for the box to show up for me so prob this week.. and then 2 days later the form letter.. Thanks for the wishes and good luck to you and your loved ones too!

[Navy Aunt (AF Wife)]

Did you ever find out if your spouse was grad n go? If not, I have some info for you.

[proud Navy wife!]

yes, kinda. I am pretty sure he is grad and go. The RTC Command Master Chief wrote on his profile page (yes, he's on N4M's lol) in his comments that my hubby's division leaves Saturday the 20th of March. (the day after his PIR) :o( My husband hasnt told me for sure himself yet but that is what I am assuming till I hear otherwise... Was that the news you had? Thank you so much for taking you time to check!

[Ian'smom10]

Where did you get a number to call the base? My son is ship 9 div 130; PIR is March 19th. How did you find out his Command Master Chief? I feel sooo lost; like everyone else knows so much and I am just skimming the surface. I would like to find out somehow if he is definately graduating; the best inexpensive hotel; closest to the base. etc etc. ANY information or anyone on the same ship??? Thank you in advance for all you help and time!

[proud Navy wife!]

The RTC Command Master Chief wrote on his profile page (the Command Master Chief 'runs' Navy boot camp and he has a profile on NavyforMoms.com, the phone # is towards the bottom of what he wrote, and an email address is also provided):

MAR 19 GRADUATION:
"Grad n' go" Divisions are 121-128. They will depart sometime Saturday, 20 MAR (could be as early as 0200). The Sailors generally will have liberty commencing after graduation expiring on board at 2000. Some exceptions may exist (watchstanding duties mostly), but all get some liberty.
Transportation to O'Hare airport (ORD) is provided by government contract. That is, we do not allow new Sailors to ride with families/loved ones to ORD, etc., in the execution of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. However, families can meet the Sailor at ORD to spend time together prior to departure if they so choose.
Any general questions about graduation, including "Grad n' Go," can be answered by my Public Affairs Office staff:
http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/contact.asp

Recruit Training Command
3355 Illinois Street
Great Lakes , IL 60088
Phone: Public Affairs Office 847-688-2405

For personal and family related issues, please email RTC:
[e-mail]

Here is the link to the Command Master Chiefs profile page if you wanna check it out:

http://www.navyformoms.com/profile/RTCCMC

He posted this himself down in his own comments section on 2/22...

You wont know for sure if he is definately graduating until you get the 'Im a sailor!' call like the week of his PIR. So, thats kinda waiting till the last minute to plan things. The best advice everyone has given is just to assume they are graduating on time and purchase refundable plane tickets. Also the hotels in the area from what I've heard allow you to cancel your reservation as long as its 24 hours before you are supposed to check in. I heard the Navy lodge is one of the cheapest hotels AND its on base so you dont have to deal w/the long lines of getting on to base PIR morning. I myself am staying at the Ramada Inn which is hosting a Navy families 'meet and greet' the night before (thurs) which is free and has an open invite for everyone to come, like you dont have to be staying @ their hotel. They also offer a free shuttle to and from the PIR graduation so that is pretty nice. You should have got in the form letter a pamphlet w/a TON of hotels and info in it.. Here are some links that you should prob look around to familiarize yourself w/PIR a lil more... The first is a link to a group you should join for all people w/loved ones graduating on March 19th. The second link is a discussion in that group specifically for those w/loved ones in Ship 9 DIV 130.

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir19mar10?xg_source=activity

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir19mar10/forum/topics/ship-9-div...

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir19mar10/forum/topics/meet-and-g...

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir19mar10/forum/topics/what-to-br...
(the info on this one ^ is in the attachment towards the top)

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/pir-for-dummies
(this one was a godsend for me)

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/1971797:Topic:386699
(someone w/first hand info..)

these are just a few to get you started! you should really just browse around and read anything and everything lol. good luck!

[Navy Aunt (AF Wife)]

Yes, unfortunately it was the news I had and I didn't want to bear it (so to speak) because I felt badly for you and everyone else that has loved ones in those divs. I am sorry he is grad and go...hopefully you 2 will be able to make the most of your time together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )

[proud Navy wife!]

Thank you! We are just happy we get to see each other! I am planning to fly out to his A-school for easter so we will get more time then. I am just so glad we will be able to talk on the phone after this, lol. Thanks for caring enough to check! Have an amazing day!