Ship 07 Div 060-Anyone?

[G-Mom]

Just received my letter with Ship and Division!

[allie1928]

if they get more liberty on weekend I will try and change our flight to Sunday so we can spend more time with him if possible

[G-Mom]

There are quite a few discussions involving their time after PIR, but the general consensus is, for those leaving to A school anywhere other than Great Lakes, they will be leaving on Saturday at some point.  Seems Friday you will be able to spend time and Saturday (at the airport...MAYBE)

This was posted a few days ago...........

Comment by FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW on Tuesday

None of this is really new info. This post After PIR - Liberty & Friday and Saturday Departures (clickable link to the post in your discussion forum) that I wrote is not just based on my own personal experience( Liberty changed for us – for the better!) but what RTC puts out in their   Family Guide (Clickable link – Page 5 bottom right hand paragraph)on basic info for Friday and Saturday Departures.

The Grad n Go issue was dealt with back in July or August when RTC FB put out a statement saying that it was an obsolete term and was no longer being used. They also stated that they had informed the RDC's to stop using it. They still do...old habits die hard...LOL...they can use whatever they like as far as I am concerned...they have a big enough job on their hands that they don't need to sweat the small stuff. However, since we were asked not to, then that's what we'll do. In fact the original title of that above post had Grad n Go in it. (Clickable link). When the statement came out I could have sworn I had seen the term on the RTC website and it was still on there on the main Graduation page. So I emailed PAO and asked what was up, they said it was obsolete and they would update the page. It was still there three months later and I emailed them again and they fixed the page promptly. When the term comes up we just address it at the time, no biggie.

As far as Departures for your Sailors…there are always exceptions. The basics are there for you…and that’s probably the best way to plan your travels around. I agree with diannep on the Sunday departure for yourself if you can swing it. If you can’t, then you’ve done the best you can…and be at peace with your decision. I agonized over leaving Tuesday or Sunday…once I decided, I was at peace with it. LaLa and diannep (maybe a couple of others) advised us on Sunday and I was so thankful! I made it late on Sunday as I knew that I would not know which airport my son would leave from.

We veteran moms try to get you the most recent information that we can. We have seven PIR groups running at a time and we stay on the most recently graduated ones for a little while after graduation. We LOVE hearing your PIR experience and chatting with the group about them. I once spent one night “talking” with a couple of moms driving home from PIR. It was a blast! We always ask the new moms to PLEASE give us any info that is different than what we give out as things can change at a moment’s notice in the military. Dianne has just recently been adding specific posts on the PIR groups that have graduated for info…though she always encourages the moms to come back ANYTIME and help out wherever they are comfortable! That’s why I stayed on. JessicaB had to leave the boards for a while (SOOO glad she is back – the more the merrier!) and I valued her info so much that I did not want it “lost”, so I started posting it and then found my own “niche”.

As far as going to PIR… wouldn’t have missed it for the WORLD! Here is a link to my BLOG BLOG OPS about it…I haven’t finished it yet... LOL! I and my two other sons went…I spent extra bucks for a non-stop flight and paid for luggage, GPS, IPASS, because I don’t travel and I wanted “peace of mind” …sacrificed the bucks. My hubby was in IRAQ and could not go. He went to my son’s graduation from “A” school on Gulfport. We could only afford one of us to go…so decided he should and I am so GLAD. It is very small at the “A” school ceremonies (only one other family member was there). He got to wear his uniform (AF) and I was able to book him home on the same flight as our son. TRULY feel blessed. Our recruiter suggested not going to PIR because of cost…he downplayed it for that reason. He is a good guy! Didn’t want me to feel bad if I couldn’t go.

I was originally only going to have one day with my son…I got THREE! Does that guarantee that you will? No. I KNEW it was one and got blessed with three…I would’ve been FINE with the one.

I know of some who can’t go to PIR for financial reasons and for reasons other than finances…they then make plans to go see there Sailor. That’s the best that they can do and their Sailor usually knows about it. I had one mom recently who did not know how she was going to get there…her sweet, fantastic, lovely son sent her the money for a plane ticket…and you know how little money they have left after deductions are made in Boot Camp. He wants his mother there! I WANT TO GO JUST SO I CAN GIVE HIM A BIG HUG!

**On a side note if there are any of you on here that cannot make PIR there is a care package you can buy and have given to them as a gift. I have the info if you need it. Also, we encourage all of you to “hook up” as families may adopt your Sailor for the day. I know one mom from mine that had a whole group with her at the Gurnee mall. One didn’t want to see the movie they went too and went shopping with her instead! *New Sailors are not allowed to be out in public alone…have to be with their sponsors (family) or buddy).

Semper Fortis Navy Family!

[G-Mom]

After PIR liberty discussion

Everyone has a wide variety of possibilities after PIR. Our travel plans include Sunday and family may be exploring Chicago all Day Sunday...without our SR!

Being able to spend some with them at the airport on Saturday...if that's if how it works out for them.....seems like a real possibility. Lots of folks of that.

[allie1928]

Thank you so much for all the information.  It is appreciated....I will write to my son again and ask him to let us know when he knows when he will be leaving for "A" school. Thanks again....have a good day.

 

[G-Mom]

He may not know until actual PIR Day Allie1928!

I made arrangements based on the "HOPE" he would have through Sunday! Even if you leave Saturday and they are there at RTC/GL longer,there is lots for them to do and many SR's have no one come to PIR (for a multitude of reasons!) so there are plenty of people to hang with and really nice areas for them to just"hang and relax"!

[Denise22CA]

I am confused over how much time my SR will have for leave also. We have been told he is going to A School in Groton, Conn., but he insists he is not flying out on Saturday, but Monday. Everything I read on this site leads me to believe he should be flying out on Saturday. We booked our flight hoping he is correct and he will have 3 days of leave. I just wrote another letter asking for confirmation and I just wish we could get a phone call! If he does have to leave I guess we will spend some time exploring Chicago!

[k1976c]

Hey Gail!  My son is Ship 07 Div 060.  He is from Casper, Wyoming and is scheduled for PIR on 2/3.  Will you be there?  We are flying in from Wyoming.  Got a hotel that has a shuttle to the Recruit Command, but I have read it might be easier to have a rental car.  Does anyone else have some ideas about this?  

[G-Mom]

Hi k1976c!!  I will not be there, but my Husband and SR's older brother will! Our young daughter has a very important sports event that weekend (wouldn't you know?) and I need to be here for her. 

I booked two different Hotels and am still deciding which one to go with (You can cancel up to 6pm the day before I believe).

The Springhill Suites does not have a shuttle but you can order one. Springhill is very near where Sarges Meet and Greet will be.  Do you know about SARGE?

The other hotel I booked...on a recommendation from Sarge (I haven't actually dealt with him, but read this) is the Hilton Garden Inn-Lake Forest.  I also chose this one for location, being between RTC and Chicago. 

Good rates at both!

We have rented a car. Based on what I have read about traffic issues the morning of PIR, it seems a shuttle or cab (Sarge) may be the way to go!  Also there is decent public transportation via a commuter train into Chicago.  If our SR gets any time off, they will probably use the train into Chicago due to parking issues and Parking Costs in the city.  My husband will want a car to get to and fro the airport and possibly back and forth to the RTC after PIR.

Where is your son going to "A" School?

[allie1928]

This is new to us as well - my son is in your son's division .  We  are staying at NAVY LODGE  ....it is 1.5 miles from RTC ...we rented a car at O'Hare so will have one to get around.   did you sign up for SARGE'S MEET AND GREET on Thurs. 02/03 ....we did hope to make that if travel plans go as planned...Good luck with everything...only 18 days to go

[Denise22CA]

We made our flight reservations and we were just trying to reserve a car.  We are thinking we made need 4 wheel drive because of weather....what rental agency did you use?  We are comparing costs now.  We are staying at the Residence Inn in Waukegan. We are also flying into O'Hare. I believe we are going to try and go to Sarge's for the Meet and Greet on Thursday night.  It may just depend upon how tired we are after a long day of traveling and what time we end up getting to the hotel.  We have an early flight from California and traveling with 2 kids (ages 10 and 16). I can't believe it's getting so close!   

[G-Mom]

I'm confused to Denise22CA, Our SR is going to FT.Meade and his "A" school has a specific start date, in this case Feb 17th. I am so confused too!!  We booked flight based on him having Sat and Sun.  Who knows now? He felt he would have through Sunday as well.

I realize it's the Navy and they can do as they like so trying to roll with the punches!  I will continue to hope for the entire weekend despite what I am reading! 

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Here is what I would do...book your plans based on the "best possible scenario" as long as it is in your comfort zone, economically and time-wise. I would love to give you exacts...sorry!

There were some Sailors still on RTC that weekend who were "on hold" waiting to ship out later.

 We had a little motto on our PIR group...Be preared, be flexible, be (always) strong - Semper Fortis!