My Experience at PIR

[Wyobraskamom]

Wow!  What a weekend!  I have so much to share that I don’t even know how to start :)  The weekend was full of so much emotion for me! It ranged from extreme happiness to extreme sadness with everything else in between.  Here are my tips for anyone on this site that has PIR coming up:  I highly recommend Navy Lodge.  It was incredibly reasonable, clean, and up-to-date.  I wasn’t expecting it to be so nice.  I highly recommend Sarge’s meet and greet.  It was so great to meet the ladies that got me through the 8 weeks of boot camp and to share our stories.  Sarge had some great tips that really helped to prepare us for the PIR and the flight out to A school.  I am not a “party goer” so I was really hesitant about going but it was awesome!  I was really disappointed with our seat at PIR.  We sat on the deck level right in the middle in front of the 925 flag.  Unfortunately the 925 division never did stand directly in front of us and there was a railing that got in the way of taking any picture of the band while they were playing.  I don’t know if they set up the division signs the same way every time but if the ceremony is the same every time and you have a performer, I would suggest sitting in the stands that are closer to the door where you walk in or on the second level across from the American Flag.  This is where the performing division can be seen best.  If anyone took any good pictures of the band, please let me know.  I would really appreciate some better pictures for my scrapbook.  My sailor after PIR.   We got to be with our son from around 10:45 am until 7:30 pm. I really appreciated the advice I saw someone about not being surprised if your sailor acts different.  It helped but still didn’t prepare me for how different my son acted at first.  He would apologize for everything, was very tentative, and lacked confidence, which aren’t traits of my son. At one point, he even asked if it was ok for him to speak loudly in the hotel room! Eventually by the end of the day on Friday he acted much better.  He seemed very overwhelmed by everything so we just tried to take it slow and didn’t force him to make any decisions.  The best time we had was just sitting in the hotel room, looking through Facebook and playing music for him.  That seemed to bring him back to life. Looking back, I wish we would have just done more of that. Now that he is at A school he is really starting to behave more like himself.  Flight out to A school.  If at all possible, please be sure to meet your sailor on Saturday at the airport before they fly out.  This was precious time and I wouldn’t change a moment even though we did have to wake up at 2:00 AM!  We arrived before our son did and had plenty of time to give him his things.  There was someone from the USO that got the sailors organized and over to check in (For Midway I guess they always fly out of Air Trans).  The families stand behind the sailors in the check in line and then the sailors come back and stand with you to get your gate passes.  When the sailor found out that they could have their families at the airport there was a mad rush to the pay phones.  I don’t think very many of them knew it was an option.  We gave as many sailors as we could our cell phones so they could call quickly and not have to use the pay phones.  One poor sailor called her mom who lived in the area and asked her to come.  The mom refused because she had “things to do”.  I wish I could have had the time with my son that this mother gave up with her daughter but I guess everyone is different.  If anyone still has more time to write your sailor before PIR, I would suggest telling them to pass the word about the option of families coming on Saturday to the airport.  It broke my heart to see so many without their families and trying to organize it over the phone while they were there.   Rental Car  We rented from Rent a Wreck.  It was a bit of a pain because they have to pick you up since their office is about 5 minutes away from the airport.  However, they were the cheapest we could find at Midway.  We were able to get a Dodge Durago to fit 7 for $203 for 3 days.  Everywhere else we looked the price was double.  Just be aware that they don’t open until 7AM so if you have an early flight they won’t be an option since you can’t drop off the vehicle until then.  Hotel for Saturday night  I would suggest getting a hotel close to the airport for Saturday night if you have a sailor flying out on Saturday.   This will save you from driving all the way back to Great Lakes on Saturday only to turn around and drive all the way back to the airport on Sunday.  I wish I would have thought of this sooner.  Sleep  Don’t expect to get much.  The latest we ever slept in the entire time we were there was 3AM and this was the day we flew out.  I wish now that we would have had a later flight out on Sunday.  I have never been so tired in my life.  If you work, I would suggest taking the day after you get home off just so you can catch up on sleep. 

Overall it was one of the best weekends of my life.  I was so proud of my son and things he accomplished.  I was so sad to see him go but am excited for him to start living his new life.  I hope some of what I have written helps those of you who are getting ready to experience PIR  with your sailor.  Veteran moms, feel free to post this to any other site where you think it would be helpful or direct me to them and I will.  Thanks to all of you btw, I would have been lost without your advice!

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

Wyobraskamom - This is a WONDERFUL post!! Thank you!

Would you mind doing it for every PIR group...if you are staying on? If you stay on the site please consider it...or if you want to for a while and then you cannot...please let me know and if I may, I'd like to post it...maybe other moms can add to it!

My Sailor was nervous about doing the right thing...but he was fine ordering food etc...no real issues in his demeanor...maybe a little more quiet...so it helps to remember that some will have some different (temporary) behavior.

Also, yes I booked a 4PM flight home on Sunday...just because I thought it would help...and Monday...WE ESTED...and our neighbors cooked for us!

[Wyobraskamom]

Thanks FTLW!  I would be happy to post it for other PIR groups.  If you could please show me the ropes on how to look for the other groups and when to post this that would be great!  I don't know that I could commit to following the groups as closely as you do but I would be happy to add this post and answer questions about it. 

It's amazing how each sailor handles bootcamp differently isn't it?  I could just see so many defense mechanisms that my son was using when we were with him.  For example; he still has a terrible cough.  He would continually tell us he was sorry and that he just had a dry throat.  I am sure he was saying that in bootcamp so no one would make him go to medical :(

Thanks again for all your support!

[pjay(ship04 div811)]

Wyobraskamom---very good post! Our Sailor stayed in Great Lakes for A School so we had the whole weekend with him. His division had liberty until 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and until 8 p.m. Sunday.He chose to be back an hour early each night so he would have plenty of time to get in his barracks. Don't forget that you can use the gate pass that you get for PIR to get on base and take your Sailor straight to his/her barracks. It is good for the entire weekend.This was great! You can't go into the barracks but you can see where they stay and see their surroundings. Made me feel better. LOL!

Also, for PIR,  if you are one of those people who have to use the restroom a lot you should choose a seat close to the steps so you can get out easily. It gets very crowded and it's hard to get out and back to your seat.

Our Sailor acted differently and I finally asked him if he was okay. He said "why, do I act like something is wrong?' I said "yes, you don't seem yourself". He said "I'm sorry, Mom. I have been told when to eat, when to sleep, when to talk and when to shut up for so long that I'm not use to being able to be myself and I have been told to beware of everything in sight and listen to everything going on around me at all times". After that he loosened up and we had a great time.

We ate at some great places, went to the Gurnee Mills Mall, and took the train into Chicago and went to the Science and Industry Museum. I feel much better today than I have in 8 weeks. PIR was awesome!

[pjay(ship04 div811)]

I almost forgot....the weather there is very unpredictable. Take layers, a raincoat and an umbrella. When we went to pick up our rental car the sun was shining and it was about 80 degrees. When we came out of Enterprise car rentals it was hailing, windy and very cool.

 

[Wyobraskamom]

Great info pjay!  So glad you had a good time with your sailor. The other tip I would have is that we had a very hard time convincing our son to take his cell and laptop with him to A school.  Finally my husband asked the person from the USO in front of our son if this was acceptable and he said it was.  Just a "trick" to keep in mind if your sailor is hesitant to take his things with him like ours was.  Again, I think he was so worried about getting yelled at that he didn't want to do anything that could cause it. 

[pjay(ship04 div811)]

My sailor didn't have a problem with the laptop and phone but he was concerned about the challenge coin. I gave him one with U.S. Navy on one side and I had it engraved on the other side. He was under the impression they could only get them from their superiors. I assured him they didn't have to be from superiors but I'm not sure he is convinced yet. It's funny how so much is going on in their minds about what they can and can't do.

[juliebelle28 (NukeMom Prototype)]

Here is my PIR experience. 

[juliebelle28 (NukeMom Prototype)]

Hmm just thought about the nervousness thing. My son was fine and talked NON-STOP!! He did mention it felt weird to do certain things but he was not nearly has uptight as my first son was after graduation.

One thing he was unsure about was wearing his cover indoors and outdoors. We sometimes had to remind him to put it on, take it off at the appropriate time (in a car, in a building, outside, etc.) He said they never mentioned what to do outside of bootcamp!

[AaronsMom (Ship 04, Div 811)]

We had such a great time with our sailor!  He didn't act different at all! He was so happy to see us all and talk to all his friends on his cell phone! 

We stayed at the Navy Lodge, and it was great.  We had two adjoining rooms, so our kids didn't have to go out in the hall.  That's been hard for us to find at hotels lately.  I thought it was very quiet compared to any  hotels we've been to recently.  We didn't hear any slamming doors, loud voices in the halls, etc.  Very peaceful. Nice to hang out in our room and relax as a family again.

We had planned to park in the metra parking lot, but we got a later start than we planned, and didn't leave until 7:15.  It didn't look like they would let us park over there, so we just followed the other cars into the gate and parked and walked. It wasn't that bad.  Adrenaline and excitement practically carries you where you need to go! After all, you're about to see your sailor!

We were late driving in from Dallas so we didn't get to the meet and greet, which was a bit disappointing.  I saw CB's door sign, but we were so late, and the next time we passed the door the sign was gone.

Our seats were fine, but we forgot the binoculars in the car. :( My husband zoomed in on the video camera, and that's how we found him.) Since we were with Div 811, we were all the way into the building and couldn't see anything when they opened those doors. Everyone stood up, and we really had to struggle to see anything. That was disappointing too because I had been looking forward to seeing those doors rise up.  Oh well. We were very excited that he was coming in the room. I had to fight back tears a few times. 

After PIR we found him, and he just wanted to go, while I wanted pics!  He let us take a few pics but he said they told them they wanted them to hurry and get out of the drill hall because the last ones in there had to clean. We went over and picked up his pics with him and hung out for a bit before he had to go move across the street to his pre dive school.  We ate lunch, went to the NEX, and made our way out of there.  We went back  to the Navy Lodge to take a little nap before he called us to pick him up again.  By the time my husband started snoring, he called and was ready!  So we all scrambled to go get him.  Very exciting!  We went to Giordano's for pizza in Gurnee and had a great time with him.

We went to Chicago to the record-breaking downtown Chick-fil-A. My sailor and my oldest daughter both have worked at the Chick-fil-A here, and one of their managers helped open the one in Chicago.  They were impressed!  I took their picture together in front of it.  We didn't really have time to go up to the Skydeck after because the line was at least an hour long, so we just went back so he could relax with us before he had to go back. 

It was wonderful having the whole family together again,even if it was just for the weekend.  My husband and I both cried after we had to drop him off that last time.  I could tell my son was fighting the tears as well when we were praying together before he got out of the van.  It was very hard and emotional.  I hate that!  It's not like he just moved out and got an apartment in town.  It's hard to say when we will see him. He is very excited for what's coming next, and I can text him and call him.  That makes it way better than boot camp!