Ship 11 Div 123

[Ragdollrae HM A school SA]

This discussion group woll be for the individuals who's loved ones are in this Ship/Div.

[AnnL ship11 div123]

Thanks Jennifer

 

That's what I was thinking too.  I am planning on going shopping, want to find something really special to wear.  This is a REALLY big day in his life and I want to look nice.  I am so EXCITIED!!!  It is getting closer, I am so proud of all of the boys.  This will be an amazing time.

Are you going to the MEET and GREET on 04/07/11?  I may wear jeans and the t-shirt I ordered for the get together.  The t-shirts are black.  I think they are ordering ribbons that will be the color of the boys ship.

 

Ann

 

[Ragdollrae HM A school SA]

I found this in a different discussion group:

WHAT TO BRING TO PIR

Be there as early as you can-before 7:30 am. Wear dressy casual, nice jeans are fine. If your PIR is in the winter months , you may want to wear flannel underwear. Wear comfortable shoes-you may have to climb bleachers and will be doing a lot of walking. Remember layers are the way to go. Gloves, hat, scarf. (For winter PIR)

One thing I did was a few weeks before PIR, start a “PIR bag”, not necessarily one you’ll carry but just something to throw things into you don’t use daily or routinely that you might forget. Binoculars, camera, a baggie full of tissues, lint brush, tide pen, etc.

Bring: photo ID, camera, binoculars, tissues, lint brush and tide pen (dress blues in the winter and dress whites in the summers), chapstick; hand lotion (cold weather dries you out) towel for your recuit to sit on while ya'll are out enjoying Chicago after PIR and for you to sit on while you watch PIR, Don't forget an umbrella just in case. Watch your make-up when you hug him/her--he/she has to be very careful with their uniform , a checkbook-for the photo packages(minimum pkg is ~ 140.00) and anything else you want to buy at PIR. At the hotel :bring old clothes for your recruit to wear while at hotel (in case there is enough time for that so they can be comfortable.) REMEMBER though, In public sailors must remain in military issue clothes...even to swim
.
I've read to take a shuttle if possible (even if you rented a car)-it'll bypass the long line of cars at the gate and drop you off at front gate…you’ll still have a good 15-20 minute walk but it is flat and you’ll see new rcts marching with their division flags. I don’t think my feet touched the ground during the entire time.. Sit at the top of the bleachers so you'll have something to lean against (besides some one’s knees) Try to sit across from where your sailor is and to the right that way you can see him/her better. There will be signs indicating where your Sailor’s division will be.

Be careful about too much kissing and hugging You also need to leave their R arm free while on liberty in case they have to salute to an officer. No hand holding is allowed. They have to behave very differently from a civilian.
Bring their laptop and phone to hotel so they can catch up with their family and friends at home.

If you rent a car (and I suggest that you do) Google addresses: RTC, the airport, hotel, Navy Pier, Gurnee Mall, restaurants. Etc & write down the address. If you have a GPS.take it with you, if not rent one with the car. Take plenty of change for the tolls’

Liberty is ‘time off’ from the daily routine. Graduating Sailors will be granted liberty to go off-base during the day with their families.

1. Graduating Sailors may not smoke, drive, or consume alcoholic beverages while on liberty.
2. Graduating Sailors must stay within a 50-mile radius of RTC.
3. Graduating Sailors must remain in their complete uniform while on liberty. If they are engaging in physical activity or swimming, they must be in authorized Navy issued workout gear.
4. Liberty expires at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sunday. No overnight liberty is authorized. Due to security checks and transit time, please allow ample time for graduating Sailors to walk back to their assigned ship prior to the end of liberty.
5. Families may not enter the base after graduation and will need to meet graduating Sailors for liberty at the main RTC gate.
6. Graduating Sailors departing RTC for follow-up training the same day as graduation or in a duty status will be granted limited on-base liberty.
7. Graduating Sailors receive an in-depth liberty briefing prior to their graduation day.

While you wait for your Sailor following graduation, MCPON Hall and eateries at RTC are available, or you may use your graduation parking pass to visit the USO, building 27 onboard Naval Station Great Lakes (Mainside). Parking is available outside Gate 1 adjacent to Mainside’s Visitors Center located on Sheridan Road. Walk through Gate 1 and proceed to the USO located on the corner of Farragut Avenue and Rodgers Street; escorts will assist. Snacks and drinks will be available on the second floor of the USO

Ladies...the question of when they switch from white to blue dress uniforms and vice versa was brought up in another PIR group. I asked Hoppi (aka Angie) and she said:

Great Lakes switches in April and Oct. BTW...She also said: Hawaii never switches to Blue and Iceland never switches to White.

The music at PIR is VERY loud, drums, trumpets, etc. I would bring ear plugs for your little ones, it could hurt your baby (or worse, wake her up!). Bring quiet, soft toys for them to play with. They can run around until about 8:45, then they will need to stay put, but you can walk around still or stand near entrance to bathrooms. There are two very large motion picture screens so you'll still be able to see the graduation. (the hall is huge!). Oh..... and bring $5 bucks to buy you 4 yr old a dixie cup (Sailors hat, or Lid as the sailors call it). They are NOT ever allowed to try on or wear any part of a military uniform, so they sell these hats to help prevent that and kids love it (it's their size too). They sell them near the coffee stand inside the hall, but they go quickly, so find your seat, then go get a hat before they are gone!
Taken from the Naval Training Center website. PLEASE NOTE THE WALKING DISTANCES AND BE SURE TO DRESS WARM AND WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!!
PARKING"Family and friends will be directed to general parking at the Chapel lot, which is about 3 city blocks from the site of the graduation. Another parking lot, about 1 city block away is available for those with handicap stickers or hangers." SHUTTLES"Most hotels in the area also have shuttle service to the graduation. The shuttle terminates at the visitor center located at the front gate. It is approximately a 1/2 mile walk to the site of the graduation from the visitor's center.

[five10fevr(HM school)]

Thanks for sharing this great information.

Jennifer

[Ragdollrae HM A school SA]

You are very welcome.

[AnnL ship11 div123]

Thank you very much. Great information!!

Ann

[nursemom (Lisa)]

Great info!  Thanks Ragdoll!

I received a very short note from Chris today.  He mentioned that Hell week is approaching.  He said next week in his letter but had 4-1 in parenthesis.  I can tell stress is setting in by the tone of the note.  He mentioned that he had limited time to write because he had to do some ironing, shining shoes, and getting rack made.  He also said he is having trouble regulating his breathing when they run.  I think he is breathing too quickly and shallow and probably hyperventilating a bit. 

I was able to quickly print off a tip sheet on running for him and bypass the mailman.  Hope it helps. 

I am happy to receive a letter but want more.  How selfish.  Poor kid is busy and it's not as if he is there to perfect his letter writing.  Any way, till next week.

 

 

 

 

 

[five10fevr(HM school)]

Nursemom,

Mine seemed very stressed too about the upcoming week. He also said that RDC's have become a lot stricker because they just started their new phase.  They only have 22 more days :)

[Ragdollrae HM A school SA]

I totally undertstand. That phone made me instantly spoiled. I want more info - more phone calls - more letters - and like - um - NOW!!! C'mon people!! Let's get on this ship already and get me what I NEED!! lol

 

Wait - I thought I said that I had learned to be patient. That's right. I shouldn't have said that outloud!! LOL

 

As the main board likes to say over and over and OVER again... I will take what I can get. I won't complain. I know I won't get to do blah blah blah with my sailor or see my sailor when they blah blah blah... Geez - I think I hear the violins playing. If any of you cannot tell, I am being exremely sarcastic at the moment. Please read it for that and laugh and don't try to analyze it!! :0)

 

I am in a bit of a facetious mood today. Maybe it is the effects of the Super Full Moon we will experience this weekend?? Oh well - back to the grind stone.

[AnnL ship11 div123]

Yes Ladies I too have received a letter from my son today.  He mentioned HELL week is next week and that they should be thru with their training by 4/1.  He also mentioned having to iron and get things ready.  He is hoping that they will be privileges for another phone call but he didnt see it happening.  He was keeping his fingers crossed that it will.  ME TOO!!! 

 

Ragdollrae...Loved the sarcasm...I think it is how we all are feeling at the moment.  Everything seems to revolve around PATIENTS...Which I am also learning to have...Not an easy thing to do.

My son said he did shave one minute off of his run!!!  WAY TO GO!!! 

 

Nursemom  I am sure your son will get his breathing under control. We all have boys that are exceptional!!!

 

 

 

 

[michele67]

Oh Mumzie you crack me up  thank you .. I am kinda in a pity party at the moment ...... I too am not a patient person but am learning  and I  like to know everything that is going on and of course cant  LOL  and yes I want to screammmmmmmmmmmmmmm at the comments all over ( not  in here  other sites )  that I see that  they dont get overnights with their SR etc etc ... I too  get Shane  until  the wee hours   saturday morning but am greatful that I even get that .... the  bes thing tho is that then they will have their cell phones and laptops etc  so we  get contact  :)

 As far as  earlier  on what everyone is wearing . I am not a dressy  girl I dont even have a nice pant suit or dress to my name just a big ole tomboy  into sports love my jeans and tshirts but I PROMISE girls I WILL NOT wear my Dodger Jersey to graduation LOLOLOL ..... am waiting  for my  division shirts to arrive  as well as  the blue star flag and  pir pins i ordered .. I also ordered Shane  a job coin  so cant wait to see that  and most of all cant wait for 21 days !!!!!

[michele67]

 ahahahah no  gift  for Alex he has a truck ... I know Shane has no clue and said he  didnt want anything   but  of course  I always spoil him and why stop  now ... the coinsare like $10 well $21 with all the crap  I ordered  so not bad I suppose   Where Is  Alex going to for A school I wish  he were headed to San Antonio with Shane  OMG we could visit and  give them a run for their money LOL  as far as the kindles  I LOVEEEEEEEEEE mine I have the first one that came out  and now I think there are 3 now and  the latest is oretty  awesome I hear   I will stick with mine  I dont need all that extra gadget stuff ...... cant wait for the "HUB" Party    LOL  :)

[Ragdollrae HM A school SA]

Now right on, ladies! This is the way to complain! No martyrs - no madness - no "let's make this all about me!" It has sucked, but we are on the down side of the event and we get to see our boys REAL SOON!

 

Michele - I agree with Mumz - you wear what you are happy in. It is your and your son's day. The same way that it is for each of us. No one here will care if you come in after traveling 4 days straight. Just throw on some deoderant (please) and GET THERE! That is the only requirement - to be there!!

 

Mumz - yes - you have whined continuously - NOT. I too am a gift failure. A truck? How nice. I sort of feel that the amount of time and money that I am spending to be there is my gift. I guess I could look at the coin thing too,  but seriously, my son knows that I am a bit selfish. For me to be there - means that I want to be there. Enough said.

 

Ladies - thank you. I mean it.

 

~stephanie