PIR DEBRIEFING

[Sassafras Proud Mom of a Sailor]

INTRODUCTION: A place for parents and others who have attended PIR and graduation weekend to share comments, suggestions and ideas that will hopefully make it easier and more enjoyable for other familes who are preparing for their own PIR events.

 

WHAT TO DO: This is an 'interactive' forum, with each person encouraged to start new topics (by posting your comments in the 'blank' at the top of each page) -and- respond to individual posts (by clicking 'reply' on that particular post).

 

ALSO: Over time, I will be organizing some of the posts herein as a sort of 'guide' which will be static -- that is, there will be no new posts to that discussion... thus it will not actually be a 'discussion' but more of a factual and flowing narrative that takes the reader, moment by moment, through happy hours of PIR, covering the basics with good recommendations about what to do, what not to do, and how to do (or avoid) doing it.

 

To get started on this process, it would be very useful to hear from you regarding which posts and/or particular information do you think should be included? Sincerely, I look forward to hearing from you and transcribing our collective wisdom for those who will attend PIR soon.

 

 

 

 

[lemonelephant]

You may be thinking of the Key Lime Cove (clickable link). With 12 divisions in your SR's TG, you will want to get to the RTC early. Gates open at 6:30 am and there may already be a line. Traffic will get worse and the line will get longer the closer it gets to PIR time. The fifth person would have to wait in the Visitors Center until just before PIR time to see if there is room--those who wait go in first come, first seated. You could also see if your SR has a buddy who does not have 4 people coming who could put the extra person on his/her Access List.  You would need to know the buddy’s name and division number once you get to the Visitors Center.  The RTC discourages this practice though because if the buddy does not pass and have PIR, then you would not be notified of that and would not be expecting to have to wait and also the buddy could have someone decide to attend in the last couple of weeks and this would cause a problem.

[Skippy]

Keep your gate pass for PIR for the weekend.

We took our son back to the main gate, and with our pass and his id, we drove him the mile back to his boat to sign him back in.  then in the morning when he walked out to meet us, we put him in the car, got back thru to avoid the long walk to the ship to sign him out.

From 10/5/12 PIR

Upcoming moms with kids staying at GL for A school, keep your pass and with your sailor, you too can avoid the long walk in the cold at night.  Plus it does give you an extra 10 minutes with them, and every minute was great.

 

Sarge's meet and greet had great food and information.   We used his shuttle from the Spring Hill Suites (Recommend it 10 stars staff is amazing, rooms clean and fresh, good free breakfast and they don't mind if you bring your Sailor back in the AM and he eats free too!!)  and for 3 bucks a head, no traffic worries or jams. 

AT PIR buy a bottle of water for 2bucks.  It's a great souviner too! 

 

[dahlinka]

Hi. my son left for boot camp on October 25, I would like information on the closet motel to boor camp and a company that provides shuttle service from O'hara to the location.I do not not how to add my self to the chat room? will you help me with that please, thanks.

[BunkerQB]

1) On using this site, start here with this blog, it'll described how this site is organized (including getting to chat room and accessing your personal page.

  http://www.navyformoms.com/profiles/blogs/new-moms-please-some-time...

2) Give it until later today, there'll be a welcoming message from N4M admins - it in you'll find a link to our Survival Guide. This message will always be on your personal page so you can access the link to the Survival Guide any time. The Survival Guide is your reference for just about everything.

3) from lemonelephant's comment above, click on the following links for into on motels, shuttles

You may want to join, or at least check out, Boot Camp Moms, PIR Reference Information, and New Members Stop Here. Since you probably know her PIR date and/or division number, go to http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date and join the group for that.  There will be lots of information and support for you in those groups.

It looks like you have joined a couple of groups, so you are on your way.

[Ctownmom (Ship 13, Div 011)]

my son's PIR was in Nov. 2012. We had my 11 year old son bring his student ID and I brought a copy of his birth certificate just in case.

[lemonelephant]

Guests 17 years or younger who do not possess one the items listed above must present one of the following: school ID card, driver’s permit, copy of their birth certificate or social security card.

That is from page 3 of the RTC Family Guide at http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/pdfs/FamilyGuide.pdf.

As far as TSA screening:

Q. What ID is needed for minors traveling domestically/internationally?
A. Minor children (younger than 18) are not required to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint. They will just need their boarding pass. All passengers, including children, on international flights are required to have a passport in their possession.

That is from http://www.tsa.gov/contact-transportation-security-administration. If a minor is to receive a guest pass to accompany a Sailor, s/he may need one of the forms of ID that the RTC accepts, but not every airline permits minors to have guest gate passes, so be prepared if you plan to meet your Sailor at the airport and spend time together before his/her flight.

[lemonelephant]

You are very welcome.

[Gunnie430]

I use to work at the bootcamp as staff and I think its a good thing to put out that when PIR comes around and your sailor finally gets to leave the base then they need to remain in uniform at all times.  Sailors just graduating and going out for the first time stick out like a sore thumb and believe there are RTC staff roaming around all over the place.  The last thing your new sailor needs is to get into trouble their first couple of days as a sailor.  Also if they are going to school and they are still on uniform restriction then they need to also remain in uniform.  I cant remember how many times a guy I worked with would come to work the next day telling us that he had to chew someone out on the train because they go into the restroom in uniform and come out in regular clothes.

[Julia]

I told my son to order the photo package and that we would pay for it when we come for PIR.  I read someplace that we should bring our checkbook to pay for them.  Do they also take debit cards?  I don't usually carry my checkbook with me (and hate waiting for checks to clear the bank). 

[lemonelephant]

You can pay for the photos either with a debit/credit card or a check.

[Julia]

Thanks!!

[lemonelephant]

You're welcome.