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**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.
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RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021
Please note! Changes to this guide happened in October 2017. Tickets are now issued for all guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter base. A separate parking pass is no longer needed to drive on to base for parking.
Please see changes to attending PIR in the PAGES column. The PAGES are located under the member icons on the right side.
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- Graduation Info
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Tip for Driving to Graduation
My husband just finished bootcamp and we went to his graduation 7/20/12. It is an amazing, amazing thing. But, I thought I would hop over to the groups who have Sailors graduating and give you a tip about driving to the RTC gate.
You will most likely be coming from Buckley Rd and will have to make a right turn into RTC. If this is the case, drive past. Yes, I know, scary, but drive past the gate. You will go through a ramp sort of like a highway ramp and come to a traffic light. Turn right, this is Sheridan. You will come to the main gate for Great Lakes Naval Base. On the right, you will see a small brown sign that says "All visitors use second right". That second right will take you to the Visitors' Center parking lot. Just use it to turn around. You want to be going the other direction when you approach the RTC gate. Leave the Visitor Center parking lot and make a left. Go to the traffic light and take another left. This will bring you right to the RTC gate again. Except this time, you will be making a left turn and you will get a green arrow! No more waiting in line! Plus, the Visitors' Center is where your Sailor will march to after signing in to A School if s/he is staying at Great Lakes, so you'll know exactly where it is.
If anyone has questions about graduation or what happens when your Sailor stays at Great Lakes for A School, please reply under this discussion, and your reply will go to my email. I will answer everything I can.
Congratulations and welcome to the Navy family!!
Jenn.
Views: 3300
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Harley Gramma on
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Jenn,
What do you think about parking in the Metra parking lot and just walking to the RTC gate? It's only a short walk to the main gate. Does everyone go in via the main gate off Buckley Rd?
If I understand your map above, all the cars are heading East (towards the Lake) waiting in line. Basically you just got onto Sheridan, turned around at the main gate, then headed south on Sheridan and then back onto Buckley heading West. If I remember correctly there is a signal light there so you can just turn into the base on the arrow. Sounds brilliant!!!
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Permalink Reply by Blackcrow on
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This was an awesome tip!. We went to graduation last Friday. The line of cars was over a half mile long at 6:15. We drove past, went through the visitor parking loop, came around and only had to wait for one light. We were seating at about 6:50 after having to wait through security.
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Permalink Reply by Lorie-Lee ship 3 div 20 on
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What is your sons job??
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Permalink Reply by princess89 ship 3 div 430 on
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worked like a charm. I highly recommend it to everyone. Great advice. only took 5 minutes to get in. Thanks
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Permalink Reply by SHIP 14 DIV.056/Mom/Cristy on
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Thank you so much.....
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Thank you very much for all this great information....We too are staying at the Navy Gateway Lodge (husband retired Navy) and we will be coming from California for our GrandSon's PIR on the 21 of Dec...and he will be staying for A School at GL for Sonar Tech...
Wishing you and your family a very blessed holiday season...
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Thank u for the info. After graduation, does the Sailor get to spend the weekend with you at your hotel? or what?
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Permalink Reply by lemonelephant on
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No, there is no overnight Liberty during PIR weekend. See the Page, Liberty During PIR Weekend, within the Boot Camp Moms group. (Both are clickable links.) You may find the information in the other Pages in that group helpful as well. What will your SR's rating (job) be? Liberty depends on that because it is different for those staying in GL and for those who will fly out.
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Permalink Reply by justamom Ship 11 DIV 057 on
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Very good information thank you. I am traveling alone and use a wheelchair, but I have my own. I am just not able to do so much walking. I will arrive the day before so will drive by the base just to check out the surroundings. And some information you may want to share I am flying in from Houston, TX with spirit airlines and booked 4 wks ahead my round trip ticket was only $158. Also I will be staying at the crossland economy studios in Waukegan for $46 a night. It is 3.5 miles from the base but they do not offer a shuttle to and from graduation. The reviews on this motel were mixed but for anyone on a tight budget it will do. My only concern is I am renting a car and have never driven in the snow. I am all for an adventure but sliding around on the roads in a tin can on 4 wheels not looking forward to. A little scary.
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Permalink Reply by Jenn_NicksWifey on
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It is Ohio Street.
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