Boot Camp Graduation

[Dnewc5 (USS Wasp)]

My son will be graduating from boot camp in Great Lakes in 3 weeks. Is there any advice anyone can give for what to expect? I understand our time with him will probably be limited but any information anyone can offer will be helpful. Thanks!

[lemonelephant]

Here are the current PIR groups; click on the date of your SR's PIR to be taken to the group and then join.

PIR: Sept 28, 2012          TG 46 - 13 Divisions (307–316, 819, 820 & 946)

PIR: Oct 5, 2012              TG 47 - 12 Divisions (317-326, 821 & 947)

PIR: Oct 12, 2012            TG 48 - 14 Divisions (327-338, 822 & 948)

PIR: Oct 19, 2012            TG 49 - 7 Division (339-344 & 949)

PIR: Oct 26, 2012            TG 50 - 7 Divisions (345-350 & 950)

PIR: Nov 2, 2012            TG 51 - 13 Divisions (351–362 & 951)

PIR: Nov 9, 2012             TG 52 - 12 Divisions (363–372, 823 & 952)

PIR: Nov 16, 2012           TG 01 - (to be updated)

You may also want to join, or at least check out, Boot Camp Mom's, PIR Reference Information, and New Members Stop Here.

If you are driving onto the RTC, be sure to have the vehicle pass (go to http://bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp and print it off 11 days or less before PIR--you must hand write the info on it after you print it), ID for everyone in the vehicle, and vehicle registration and insurance information or rental agreement.  The gates open at 6:30 am and traffic gets worse the closer it gets to PIR time.  If you are taking a taxi or shuttle, be sure to have your ID; you will need it at the gate and again at the Visitors Center.

You also want to get there early so you can decide on the best seats for you.  Sit at a slight angle to where your Sailor's division will be so that you can see more of the Sailors in the division rather than looking straight down the rows.

Wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking and standing.  I suggest you wear business casual or dressy church clothes.  Check a weather site such as http://weatherforyou.com/reports/index.php?forecast=zandh&pands... to know what to expect as far as the weather and adjust your clothes as needed.  It is cool this time of year and sometimes the Drill Hall is cool, so take a light jacket that you can sit on if you don’t need it. Suits, slacks, khakis, or dark wash jeans with a nice top or sweater generally work well. Since you will be sitting in metal bleachers, if you choose to wear a dress or skirt, consider the length and opt for slightly longer.  Your son will be in his dress blues and you want to respect that this is a formal ceremony and also look nice in pictures with him.  You can take snacks and/or drinks for while you wait--just be sure to take your trash with you.

Go to Sarge's Meet and Greet the night before PIR and maybe one or both of the other two as well if you have time. Go to Events on the right and move the calendar at October and then click on the day before PIR to locate information about all 3 Meet and Greets.

What will your SR's rating (job) be?  That will determine how much liberty he has based on if he is staying at GL or flying out.

(Group names within this reply are clickable links.  To join a group, click on the group name and after the group page opens, click on “+ Join...” in the upper right.)

[Trixiebell]

Thank you for the great information.

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome.  What will your SR's rating (job) be?  That will help to determine how much time you have with him PIR weekend.

[Trixiebell]

SWCC

[lemonelephant]

Please check out swcc and Headed for SWCC and join one or both. If I have it right, your Sailor will fly out to San Diego, most likely the day after PIR. You will have from about 10:30 am when Liberty is called until around 8 or 9 pm when Liberty expires--he'll know when he needs to be back. Send him an index card to write down his flight details when he gets them so that he can give the card to you following PIR. Only he will know his particular flight details because even Sailors going to the same "A" School do not always fly on the same flight or even from the same airport and flight availability issues could cause your Sailor to fly on Sunday rather than Saturday, but that doesn't happen a whole lot except around holidays. You will be able to meet him at the airport and give him his electronics (cell phone and charger, iPad or laptop....), 5-7 pairs of favorite underwear (the guys are ready to get out of the "tighty whities" by that time), and perhaps a few snacks to put in his black backpack. Most Sailors cannot have civilian clothes for a few weeks, so wait and mail a set of clothes about 2 weeks after he arrives at "A" School. Ask him if there is anything special he wants you to bring.

[Trixiebell]

When I last spoke to him he made mention that he would be staying in Great Lakes for about 2 months after PIR.

[lemonelephant]

I know that PreBUDS is 4 weeks at GL (longer if it takes a while to "class up"), but I'm a little fuzzy on SWCC and the swcc group made it sound like it's off to San Diego or maybe Coronado based on the other group right after BC; but some mention staying at GL 2-4 weeks.  I hope he stays at GL so you have a longer visit with him PIR weekend.

[ebigirl]

Expect to be amazed at how proud of your child you are, and how the ceremony itself makes you greatful and thankful to be an American. I have never been so "wowed" in my entire life. The Navy and RTC do amazing things with our SR's in 8 weeks, that is for sure. Spend the time you do have after PIR with your son doing what HE would like to do. That might end up to be not a lot or too much. Mine decided he HAD to buy new cell phones for himself and his girlfriend, and then he proposed to her in the backseat of my SUV....some things just take you by suprise!

Have fun and just let it happen.  :-)