My PIR experience for 1/13/12

[Navymomsquared]

Hi all! I hope this helps when trying to plan for PIR.

I can't believe it was just last week!!

First my sailor is staying in GL for ATT & A school so he had liberty all weekend.

Winter months-we had the first snow fall of the season the day before PIR!!! Fly in on Wed, don't wait till Thurs. Also, fly into Milwaukee. It's a 45-50 min drive & easy. They have less cancelled flights. And you don't have to worry about Chicago traffic.

This way you're not rushed & can get the lay of the land.

Rent a car if you can, especially if you can stay the weekend with your sailor!!!

I couldn't & took a taxi everywhere-$58 airport to hotel, $10 from hotel to base, $20 from base to the Gurnee mall, then back again, plus tips. It just got to be expensive. They were all wonderful people. I used Gurnee Flash Taxi 847-623-8294 to/from the airport as they were less expense than Sarge (he costs $85). I called the day before I arrived to make arrangements.I had Phil & he was great & brought me a hot choc & donut on the way back to the airport at 4:15 in the morning!! Sarge was great for in town & I used him from hotel to base & base to mall. I used the shuttle from the hotel to the base $3/person each way.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & it was an easy walk across the street to go to Buffalo Wild Wings, Sweet Tomato, Walmart, etc. Even though it snowed I still walked around on Fri & Sat. It was cold but doable. There's a B of A in the shopping area as well & a McDonald's right in the HIE parking lot. They have a microwave & frig so I just bought water, snacks, salad, & frozen dinners for when I wasn't with my sailor. They have breakfast daily. On PIR Friday they do it at 6 which is a little push cuz the shuttle is at 6:15 but again doable.

I would probably take a car the night before & park it at the train station & then take the shuttle in the morning. Then you have your car for when you leave. Be patient as there will be traffic.

Meet & Greet with Sarge at the Sundance Saloon. Totally great! Got to meet some of my N4M peeps. Would liked to have stayed longer but since it was snowing people were a little worried about getting back. Sarge did a free shuttle-just paid a tip. He had lots of information!!

Liberty for 3 days---this was confusing a bit. Our sailor had us go to the Nex while he picked up his photos & we shopped . He left just before noon to move from RTC to his new barracks. He was supposed to be ready after 3. I think it was closer to 4. They use a pay phone again to call to get picked up. Since they are staying in GL they move up to phase 1 liberty, get a liberty card, have to have 2 buddies to be off base, & have to sign out. If they take 2 friends they act as the buddy. My ex "adopted" 2 other sailors on Fri & Sat since these sailors didn't have family come into PIR. My ex & I managed to be at the same hotel so he came to my room to get his cell phone, ipod, & lap top. He then was able to communicate via FB, txt, or call. I had my sailor on Sun & he didn't have any buddies. Parents count as the buddy on graduation weekend.  I had to meet my sailor at the visitor center then walk (20 min in the cold & snow) to his barracks, sign him out then walk back to the visitor center to get off base. Then do the same thing when I returned him. They get to stay out till10 instead of 9 but you have to plan for all the walking. We came back by 7pm just cause he was tired. All in all my sailor had to make the walk 6 times & I did it 4!!

I left Monday morning.

Let me know if you have any other questions!! Good luck in your journey!!

 

 

[shadesofpurpleNukemom]

Thanks for the info!

[Trish]

So - then the first time you saw your son was actually at graduation?  I have a brother in law that said when he was in Navy BootCamp - they had a dinner the night before. Of course this was over 15 years ago. And you think it is best to get there two days before PIR?  I didn't think of that, it would be horrible if we missed it because of a flight delay - thank you for the heads up.  My son graduate 2/17, just got the first call home Wednesday, he missed the first opportunity due to getting his wisdom teeth out. This has been a great experience so far, he is very calm and matter of fact about the whole thing. Only complaint - he wishes there was more PT.

Thank you so much for your information. Can't wait to get there!

[Navymomsquared]

Trish- they usually get a pizza party on Thursday before PIR..you do not get to see your sailor until PIR. I know its snowing again today there so to me it was worth it to go a day early.

[ProudPapa]

gmansmom,

My son will attend ATT school in GL as well.  Re: liberty.  My son is asking if they are allowed to remain off base overnight or must return Friday and Saturday nights.   Also, can civilians make purchases at the Nex? 

Thanks,

 

 

[kelleyb]

thanks for the info. My son is also staying at GL for a school. So this is very helpful.

[Navymomsquared]

ProudPapa & kellyb-no overnights for liberty but they do get to be available from 6am-10pm. Normally it's only 9am-8pm but since they are staying in GL for school they get more hours. Friday of PIR is the like 3-10 but Sat & Sun are wonderful to spend that much time with them:)

On PIR day you get to go to the NEX, very busy & crowded but cool. Take your time. There is another NEX (the big one) next to the barracks where they go to school but it didn't have the same stuff so I missed my oppurtunty (& so did my dtr) for the sweatshirt I really wanted. They can walk you into the big one on the weekend.