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.

 

 

 

 

[vickiet]

Just returned from PIR wonderful! I do have some suggestions for those planning their trip. I couldn't decide on which hotel, was just trying to get a good deal and be close to one of the meet and greets. I ended up staying at Courtyard Marriot, Turns out there are several hotels all clustered together. Courtyard, Springhill Suites and Marriott residence Inn. Courtyard and Springhill  surround a Walmart and there are lots of restaurants within walking distance. Starbucks, Duncan Donuts, gas station, Pot Belly, a wings  place GNC, Chipotle. Residence Inn is just down the street but probably not walking distance to Walmart or restaurants. Just down the street was Sarges meet and greet, they provide a shuttle and I highly recommend going.  Perfect location, just choose your hotel. We rented a car from Midway, got a great deal on priceline.com, an SUV 3 days for $90. We did use the hotel shuttle, $3 can't beat it and they drop you off right at the gate for PIR. Check with Sarge and he will get your SR back to the base for $12 to $15.Truthfully if you're alone or just dont want to drive, Take a shuttle to and from the airport, about $85, stay in this circle of hotels, pay the $3 for hotel shuttle to PIR, let Sarge take your SR back to the  base, and eat there locally.  Got the best rate on tickets by going directly to Airtran website. I would recommend a car, with a gps, unless you  have one on your phone! We did not get a suite with a kitchen or anything, our SR wanted to eat out and boy he put away some food. The recommendation to go to Gurnee Mills Mall was a good one, and there is a great place for steaks there called Lone Star. My Sailor's flight was cancelled due to bad weather, and we got to  have an extra day with him, you just never know, so plan on staying until Sunday.. If you have Saturday with your SR definitely go into town Navy Pier was awesome, the price for parking was pretty good, and you can take a cab from there for about $6 and go to  the Hancock Bldg observatory, walk around shop and eat! Unlike what the others said, our hotel did not, put a hold on my debit card, and neither did Alamo rent a car, though I heard some stories from others, so plan accordingly. Plan on your Sr graduating, and make your reservations early for the best deals being mindful of whether or not there is a charge to change your reservation. Have your SR pay for his pictures, he will bring them to you so there is  not need to go the NEX after graduation and wait in line. Every minute will be precious! That's the reason we took the shuttle! Easy in easy out, back to your hotel quickly to eat locally or grab your rent a car and go!.With a rental car, you can meet your SR at the airport and give them their cell phone and laptop, worked out well! You will find lots of other parents at your hotel and getting things to your SR at the airport would not be a problem if you where unable to go yourself! Pick your airline, based on price, you will not know which airport your SR is leaving from until PIR. Make your plans and look forward to PIR it's awesome, and then come back and share! 

[play2win]

My daughter will be graduating on March 29, and we  haven't been able to speak with her.  How do we get the tickets for PIR.  Should we wait for her call?

 

Please advise.

 

Thank you.

[lemonelephant]

There are no tickets for PIR.  When you received the form letter, your daughter listed the names of up to 4 people who she intends to put on the Access List. All those people need to get into PIR is their ID's.  If the names she put on the form letter are not the names of those who will be attending, then write to her ASAP and let her know the 4 people who will be attending because only people who are on the list will be allowed in unless they are ages 2 and under and then they can get in without being on the Access List.  About 11 days before PIR, you can go to http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp and download the vehicle/gate pass if you are planning to drive onto the RTC using the password in the form letter.

Join the group, PIR 03/29/13 TG 20 6 Divisions (131 -134, 807 & 920), to connect with others with loved ones training with your SR.  I also suggest that you join Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), You may also want to join, or at least check out, PIR Reference Information and New Members Stop Here. There will be a lot of great information and support for you in those groups as well as in the PIR group. Be sure to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions within the groups.

(Group names within this reply are clickable links.)

[leana*ship14div426]

can only 4 people per recruit come to graduation?

[lemonelephant]

It depends on how many divisions are in the TG. If the TG has 12 or less divisions, then the recruit is permitted 4 guests. If the TG has 13 or more divisions, then the recruit is permitted 3 guests. (This appears to be the case--3 guests--for the 11/01/2013 TG, which has 13 divisions by report of the division numbers by loved ones of recruits in the TG.) See PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend and http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/fam_guide.asp.

[twodaloo]

OMG!  I finally got authorized to post.    So happy.  This is such an amazing site.  I find myself being drawn to it and everytime I open a discussion, I learn something new.  Sometimes great.  Sometimes scarry.  But always informative.  Thank  you to all the moms who keep us Noobs informed.  My son left for bootcamp 3/20/13.  All new to me

[lemonelephant]

By now you most likely know your recruit's division number and PIR date, so go to http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topics/groups-listed-by-pir-date and join the group for that. You may also want to join, or at least check out, Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones), PIR Reference Information, and New Members Stop Here. There will be a lot of great information and support for you in those groups. Be sure to check out the Pages (found under the pictures of the Members) and Discussions within the groups. Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening, but you will also want to check out the other Pages in all of the groups.

(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.)

[coleenp]

My son's PIR is May 3rd, I am staying in Chicago on Thurs night and plan to take the metrarail to Great Lakes early on Friday am, I'm curious if anyone else has done this and if it's a long walk or should I plan taxi? The station is supposed to be 1 block from "the gate", any other information would be appreciated.

We plan on taking the train down to Chicago for the afternoon/dinner and then have him go back to base on the train, do you have an idea what time he will need to be back?

He goes to A school (nuke) in South Carolina so Im told he will fly out on sat.

Thanks!

[audra3]

On our PIR group page, one of the administrators told us that the train drops out right at the gate. He'll know what time he has to be back to base. So far, very early flights.. is what is being said. Take that for what you want, but I am thinking not much time at the airport unless I get up as the day literally starts. Which, I will gladly do if it means I get more time with my boy. Planning on staying with him at the airport until he has to board his flight. Mine is also Nuke and going to Goose Creek. 

[coleenp]

Thank you.

As much as one tries to plan, there are still a lot of unknowns and we'll make the best of it. I'm not going to the airport so Friday is our day, I hope he can stay out past 7pm.

I wonder if our SRs know each other? I'm curious how many "nukes" are in this group. Goose Creek looks pretty nice, I've seen info on youtube. My son is from northern California, I had no idea what to expect from the Navy experience but so far it's been fantastic for my son, best decision he's made.

Good luck!

Coleen

[coleenp]

My son's PIR is May 3rd, I am staying in Chicago on Thurs night and plan to take the metrarail to Great Lakes early on Friday am, I'm curious if anyone else has done this and if it's a long walk or should I plan taxi? The station is supposed to be 1 block from "the gate", any other information would be appreciated.

We plan on taking the train down to Chicago for the afternoon/dinner and then have him go back to base on the train, do you have an idea what time he will need to be back?

[boompa]

My son graduated 4/19/2013.  What a wonderful weekend.   I am compelled to tell you how hospitable The Resisence Inn in Waukegan was.  We originally rented a two bedroon two bath suite (full kitchen and living room, @ 1000 sq feet). Upon check-in, Julie the Assistant General Manager mentioned that she had another PIR family with children in need of a large room.  She made us an offer to trade our room for 2- one bedroom suites, since that would also work for us, we agreed to help this family.  So our 1 bedroom suites were just as beautiful.  It had a dining room table, an office desk, a stove and microwave/oven.  Our bedroom was well-appointed  with a comfortable queen size bed and a large flat screen t.v.  There was also a large size t.v. in the living room with a full sized sofa.   I believe the square footage was @ 700.  The entire hotel was very clean and the front desk personnel were really helpful and welcoming to the Navy families.  They gave us a 14 page packet full of local information. We were only a ten minute easy drive to base.  They do have a shuttle.  I completely recomment this hotel for your special occasion.  The also had a complimentary breakfast but because of our schedule we were not able to take advantage of.   It is a full hot breakfast with waffle station.  I cant thank Julie enough for how she made us feel like we were at home.