My PIR Experience..PIR was Sept 10th

[Maureen62 Proudmomofasailor]

Thought I would share with you my PIR experience.  You will be there very soon !

Let me first tell you , that everyone was right, its an experience like no other !!

We drove to GL's from TN.   ( Long drive)...we drove wednesday night about 5 hours and the rest of the way the next morning.  Broke the trip up for the kids.   Got to the GL's area around Noon.  We stayed at the Springhills Suites.  The room wasnt quite ready for us so we went over to Walmart ( right across the street) and got some snacks, drinks and even some things we could microwave.  All rooms in the Springhills have a microwave and refrig.   
After Walmart, we sought out a White Castle.....something I havent had in a very long time.  Man, that heart burn was worth it though !!! lol

We went and checked into the hotel, kids went swimming in the indoor pool.  Indoor pool isnt overly big but it is heated.  They also have a small gym if youd like to work out.  This mother hasnt worked out in years ( She needs to) so I didnt use it.  

**** One thing I can say about the weather and what to pack.  I suggest LAYERING !  Pants with maybe a shirt and a jacket or sweater.  Sometimes it was very pleasant and no jacket needed and other times, it was very windy !

We just kinda chilled and went outside to smoke at one point.  There is where we started to meet other parents from our group.  We all had a beer ( Yes, you can bring your own alcohol and drink it outside on the hotels patio.  Beers should be in a huggy and if its a mixed drink, mix it up in room).  Went back up stairs to get showered and changed for the Meet N Greet.  I personally wore black slacks and a blouse.  People had jeans on, were semi dressed up, wear whatever you like. 

1. 

 The Ramada wasnt far at all from the Springhills and the Meet N Greet was in the Fireside lounge.  They had name tags and pens to write out your names.  Our group also did something different.  A lot of us photocopied our picture that we use here on N4M's...cause you are so used to seeing your friends with the same picture everyday. We made a little name tag of our own with our pictures and put our N4M screen name under it.   That made finding people a lot easier.  They had a nice little buffet.  Drinks on the average were $ 4.00- $8.00.   I was the one who pretty much organized our Meet N Greet and so I went around , introduced myself and took pictures of almost everyone.  About half way through, I got the microphone from the stage and talked to the group.  After that, we ALL got together and had a nice N4M group picture !

After the Meet N Greet, we went back to the hotel as MANY of us were staying there.  We all met down on the patio in the front of the hotel.  It was getting chilly so the hotel put the gas fire on, and it was quite lovely.  Had lots of laughs and fun. Th

is is my husband and you can see the fire behind him.

Next morning, we woke up at 5:00 and got ready for PIR.  Springhill knows that many Navy families leave before the continental breakfast is ready, so they put out some breakfast items for those that need it.  We choose to drive ourselves to PIR. We were in the car by 615am.  Took us less then 10 mins to get to the base, and there was no long lines, went right in, with Navy personnel waving you to exactly where you need to go.  Parking garage was right next to the hall where PIR is held.  Some did take the hotels shuttles but found that after the PIR, they wished they had taken their own cars, especially if you have a grad and go sailor cause youd like to be able to just go and spend time with them before they leave.

There was a line outside the hall but nothing major.  Have your ID's ready.  Birth Certificates and SS Cards for those 12 and under.  12 and older, MUST have photo ID's... They will ask you, your sailors name and your name and look at your ID.  Now the gentleman that checked us in, didnt ask to see any ID for my children under 12 but other people i know did have to show it.  

I DO advise you getting there as early as you can .  Hall fills up quickly.  We sat on the bottom level right in front of our sons Division sign.  If you go up stairs., the bars can block your camera view. One thing I would suggest....I brought a back pack and I put granola bars and bottled water in there. Its a long wait and if you have children especially, youll need something for them to snack on.  Also, each had a little bag with things to play with and keep them busy ( Nothing noisey) ,

There are screens up that talk about the Navy and what your sailor just experienced during BC.  The honor guard came in and did a little entertainment.  The state flags come in first .  Thats when you KNOW it will be soon that it starts.   And one of the BEST moments is this....watching those doors raise and the new sailors are outside !!  It WILL give you the chills, I promise.  I had all these butterflies going.  The cadence starts, and the divisions all start marching in !!  What a moment that is.

Then the divisions will be facing away from you and then turn around....another great moment.  The ceremony is very nice.  Several get up and talk. They recognize the honor award Sailors, we had a wreath  ceremony cause the next day was 9/11.  The honor guard did a little something with the guns, that was nice.  All the new sailors sing Anchors Aweigh, and shortly after that, the words that both the new sailors and family members want to hear is LIBERTY LIBERTY CALL !!   

Now, it gets a little hectic.  I would advise that you tell your sailor to stand still or you stand still and let them find you.  THEN, the moment you have been waiting for , for 8 long weeks, seeing your new sailor and that first hug.  I got the first hug ( As I think any mom should get ) and my son and i just held one another and we BOTH cried.  As you will see in this picture, he wasnt letting go !!

Now our son was considered a grad and go even though his Corpsman A school is across the street from RTC !  He had to be back to his old barracks at Noon, and was told it would take about 4 hrs to get checked in and settled.  We over to the Navy Exchange. ( Ask someone where it is, but you can see it from a distance from the PIR hall.  We went and ordered the Graduation DVD that our son hadnt ordered.  Its in the photo section next to the main NEX.  You can also buy a division picture that was taken that morning at the graduation.  I did not see Division tee shirts being sold.  I was told, you can order them from the people that make them.  If you need the phone number to where the shirts are made, let me know and Ill post it.

Main thing is..soak it all in, take tons of pictures and video it if youd like.  You will have such a wonderful time and seeing your sailor is a feeling like no other.

Please enjoy and give them tons of hugs !!!  You will see a changed person,.  They are very self conscious about their uniform is looking perfect, that their hats are just perfect.  They seem to walk straight with an air of pride of what they just accomplished.  Everywhere we went, people would congratulate our son and thank him for service.  All wonderful moments.  

We were lucky...the Corpsman A school let our son stay with us from Friday afternoon till Sunday, even overnight.  We had a blast.  LET THEM decide what they want to do.  Our son didnt want to go all the way down to Chicago and sight see.  We did go to the Jelly Belly factory about 20 mins away in WI and we all enjoyed that.  Otherwise, we stayed at hotel and talked and talked and ate and ate lol.  They all will crave different foods to have again.
I look forward to hearing about your experience.

[Margaret (RSJMom Ship13/Div322)]

Beautiful...I'm sitting at my desk laughing & crying (tears of joy for you & anticipation for me)...thanks for the info and yes please post the number to order the division shirts. You son looks great!!! Congrats to you all!!!

[Grammy Ship 13 Div322]

Thank you for sharing! Great job of sharing your PIR experience. Can't wait to see my Grandson!! We hadn't heard of the Jelly Bean factory but will check it out..thanks again

[marmayes(ship13,div321)]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I, too, am laughing and crying all at the same time. I never thought I would be this emotional about the entire experience!!! Can't wait to see our SR!!! Thanks for sharing..........

[DorothyM-seabeemom]

Thank you Maureen for sharing this. it gave me the chills and i held back a few tears...lol thanks for the insight into all of this, my husband went through this about 21 years ago, so i'm sure some things have changed.

[Proud_Wife]

AMAZING!! thank you so much for sharing. i can't wait to see my husband! i got butterflies, chills and a little teary reading this. i'm very much looking forward to going tru this experience. it also made me bummed that i won't be able to attend my M&G.

[Maureen62 Proudmomofasailor]

Adams......the most important thing is to spend time with your husband.....everything else is just extra !!

[Proud_Wife]

i know. i'm one of the lucky ones that will be able to follow their husbands to "A" school. the kids and i will be able to join him about a week and a half after graduation

[MKL K'BUNK ~ Mom Of Bill]

That was awesome and I THANK YOU for sharing it with the next PIR N4M's (09/24/10). I am ready for this adventure.
Packing shall begin shortly!!

[tezob666]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am also sitting at my desk crying with a big smile on my face. Can't wait to see my son. It's going to be a LONG 10 days. I'm even sadder now that I won't be able to attend the M & G though.

[Proud_Wife]

we can have a M&G of our own!! lol

[Whaletalkers]

How Awesome! Thanks for sharing your time with your Sailor with us. :)

[TN.sailormom'10]

oh,Maureen,thanks so much for all this info,even tho I'm boo hooing now,so glad you had a great weekend!!!I read somewhere you can buy snacks at the hall while waiting,did you see this?Also,where is the jelly belly factory,I think I would love this(maybe everyone else,too,lol)