Things to bring our Sailors when attending PIR

[WesleysMom]

Does anyone have advice on things we can bring in to PIR?  Ex. signs for our Sailor, flowers etc?

[bret's girl]

As far as civilian clothes, it really depends where your sailor is going to aschool. My boyfriend went to GL and was able to bring a bag of clothes with him to his room (even tho he wasn't allowed to wear them for awhile, except in the hotel room). He was also allowed his cell phone right away. As far as what clothes to bring, I packed him the biggest bag possiblr and let him pick.
His pictures were already chosen and paid for; I believe you can order more at graduation. You can also order a dvd of the ceremony.
As far as the coins, Bret wasn't interested, but then he's not much of a memorabilia guy. Those care pachages and the commemorative bricks and the division tshirts should all be in the brochure that came with your form letter for graduation.

[JJ]

My son will be graduating om March 4th...he is on Ship 2 Div 915, how do you order and pay for the pictures?  Also can you tell me if they get the entire weekend with the family of just all afternoon on Friday after graduation?

[AriannaR]

Are they allowed to bring any kind of thing back with him after his liberty is back if he is not going to A School in GL.

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

NOTHING can be brought back on base after PIR, no cell phones, clothes, gifts (except a watch or cash) - nothing.

Sorry....

[ProudNavyWife Ship 7 Div110]

Jessica, When you say they can't bring anything back to base after PIR does this mean during the weekend before A school starts? DH will be at GL for his A school and I'm wondering when he'll be able to have his cell phone on him regularly.

[JJ]

do the sailors get to stay the night at the hotel with family after graduation or return to base by 9:)) Pm?  My son is ship 2 div 915, due to graduate march 4th so we are trying to book plane and hotels....we had made reservations for that Thursday and Friday but in the letter we got from him today he says he might have have the entire weekend......is that possible.....his letter was very brief and did not say for sure but just maybe......so we are kind of confused as to what to try to do with reservations..thanks for any advise

[JessicaB-Sailor Mom]

here is the link to your PIR group   http://www.navyformoms.com/group/pir342011   Lots of info and support there.

 

He will have the entire weekend from about 8 am till about 8pm...unless he is grad and go. Has he wrote you anything about that yet? Where is his A school at?

 

 

[JJ]

his A school will be in Pensacola....so they do not get to stay at the hotel at night...have to return to the base each night?  thanks for your help...this is all so new to us

[Anti M]

Yes, he must report back each night.  If he is grad and go, then he has to get on a plane Friday or Saturday.

 

ONLY the Great Lakes A school grad and goes may get overnight liberty.

[Cheryl]

WesleysMom....our sailor told me that she was so excited, and the crowd of visitors was so large, that it was only my bright green jacket that made it possible to find us.  Definitely wear something that stands out a little bit.  We packed an extra set of civilian clothes from home for her to change into at the hotel after PIR.  We also brought some of her favorite body wash/toiletries so that she could take a long bath or shower.  Our cell phone got a good work out while she laid on our bed, in her soft civi clothes from home, while chatting with each of her sisters back in Florida. They sent a small photo book with pictures of her favorite beach, friends and relatives, etc.  It was wonderful to see her relax so deeply, even if only for a couple of hours.  Sure, she had to put the uniform back on before returning to the base but she LOVED the feeling of being away from all things Navy, just for a little while.  Bring your sailor a few favorite things from home, and like everyone else said, bring yourself lots and lots of tissues.

[Living and loving life]

At PIR all you want in your hands when going down after the bell rings is maybe a purse because there is A LOT of people down there and not much space to talk to your sailor. Outside its COLD usually unless its during the spring or summer, example yesterday it snowed ALL DAY. Flowers are discouraged because there is no room for the sailor to take it with them. If your sailor is a grad and go (he may be able to spend the night with you) however it is up to his ship on what goes on. Signs are discouraged because of space. There will be A LOT of people with signs but unless you are up against the wall its not courteous to other people trying to see their sailor. As for dress; Wear shoes you are willing to walk a mile in or at least a block, because the distance from the parking lot to the grad building is a long walk. I wore boots and about broke my neck on those heals. Wear something weather appropriate, If its going to be cold, don't wear a mini skirt or anything that will allow you to freeze your tush off.

 

I know many of sailors that when they went back to the hotel all they wanted was some real food and pjs; they have to sleep in sweats every night in bootcamp. OH and just a tip take them to walmart or somewhere to get new underwear because bootcamp underwear is horrible  (they are uncomfortable.) There is a walmart supercenter at Fountain Square in Waukegan. There is another one right beside a Sams Club in Gurnee by the mall (it is small.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Also most of the time they want to have a good meal. If you want to go to some nice places there is a rainforest cafe in Gurnee mills mall (but if you can avoid the mall its WAY to busy) There is an applebees, lone star steakhouse, TGI Friedays, and Chilis across from the mall. Now if you are looking for a great sushi place i would advise to go to Sushi Thai, its amazing! However it does get packed very quickly. If you want the address i can give it to you just drop me a message.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Here is a list of places that give All-the-time military discounts: Arby's, KFC/Long John Silvers/Taco Bell/Pizza Hut, Burger King, Sonic, Denny's, IHOP, Dunkin Donuts, chili's, Lone Star. There are more that i do not know and this is a list i received from a friend when i first moved here a year ago. I have not went to all. 

 

I wish you luck. If you need help or anything please drop me a line. Sorry this is VERY long. I hope this helps and isnt too late.

[Living and loving life]

Make arrangements if possible with you sailor or where to meet, meet outside or near a stair case. Believe me they all look the same in the same uniform. So know what you are going to wear and tell them if you have time in a letter, or when they call.