PIR Our Journey

[kimAZmom]

We arrived a couple of days early. 

We rented a car. If you don't have a credit card, it is a pain in the butt. Be sure to have a credit card available. The tolls are not expensive, just have change (.60 -$1.90) available, otherwise you will have to pay on line. 

A cab is expensive ($80-$125)

We stayed at the Navy Lodge ($66 a night, no taxes) Complimentary breakfast, washer and driers available. There were a few of us that made Congratulation posters with our Sailors names and fun messages to them that we taped to our hotel door.  The new Sailors actually signed each other's posters! 

We went to Sarge's Meet and Greet, even though we didn't use his service. There was a lot of food with the option to donate. We learned so much about what was to come the next day. It relieved my anxiety. He calls up the siblings of the Sailors and vets. It was a moving evening. 

We parked outside the gate. The gate opens at 0620. If you decide to park outside, you will need $1.50, exact change.

Than you walk in. ID's for all are checked. Birth certificates or Social Security cards are needed for the kids (ages 3+) in the group, if they don't have state ID's. 

The long line moves fast. Don't fret. Once you get in the doors, the list the Sailor has is checked and your hand is stamped. Once you are in the stadium, you are not allowed to leave.

If your sailor receives an award (their will be 12 of you), you will go to a room and wait for your sailor. Depending if your Sailor is an Award winner, or an Honor Recruit will depend on how much time you have with your Sailor (more time to the Award winners). You will then be escorted to your seat. Your seat will be located right in front of Division of 193 and 194.

The Division signs are up. They Sailors line up to the left of the sign. The ceremony is wonderful. Once "Liberty" is announced, everyone screams and runs to find their Sailor! It is a crazy mess. Try to get as many pics of your Sailor with his/her friends and RDC's as possible. Also, if you can get friends phone numbers on your phone, your Sailor will greatly appreciate it. 

We did not get our pics from NEX right away (long wait) with everyone else in the line. We went back to the base right before NEX closed. We were not pressured...took awesome pics on base...shopped a bit, and mailed the pics home. 

Our Sailor didn't want to do anything but eat (Create Your Own Cheesecake/Cheesesteak), have Starbucks (there is one by Walmart, near where the Meet and Greet is), and sit around. She went on facebook, updated her status and got lots of friend requests. She chose not to get on the computer while in boot camp. We were glad to be at the Navy Lodge. There were so many Sailors there! And it was so close to the base. 

We also shopped at the NEX and let our Sailor pick out which commemorative coin she wanted (she chose the local one).

Then we went to the beach nearby in Waukegan and walked up the dock and chatted and took lotsa pics. We went to dinner (Italian) in Libertyville (20 minutes away) where her meal was comped, and she was given tirimasu. It was a wonderful gesture. 

We dropped her off near 8pm. 

She was sent to O'hare at 2am. We arrived at 7am with her personal belongings. She had an empty backpack, which is huge. She had lotsa clothes, computer, phone, and candy.  She spent time at the airport with her buddies. She was in charge of the 13 Nukes that were flying with her. We only stayed for a few hours, as she wanted to hang out with her buddies. 

Your Sailor will know his/her travel plans.. .some stayed local, some traveled on Sunday. You will know your Sailor's liberty schedule before you arrive. 

I hope that you will find this helpful!

Good luck and Congrats! 

[3obcuek7e6ta6]

Thanks for posting. I thought everyone gets a chance to same amount of time with their sailor (once graduation is done) also I thought they didn't get any access to computers wgile in boot camp.. and lastly how was the hotel and how far was it from base

[KimberLD]

Awesome information! I didn't know there was a beach nearby. The Lodge looks fabulous!! We're driving down and staying extra time to hang out around town, or maybe just by the pool depending on the weather. We only get to see my son for friday and saturday, so trying to make a plan of what to do. We have a big group so any suggestions are welcome!

[Proudmom6713]

Thank you, this was extremely helpful..

[Hesh'sMom]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[Popeyesmomma]

We stayed at the Courtyard in Waukegan on Thursday and the Hilton O'Hare Friday. When our sailor arrived VERY early Saturday morning, he was able to get to the room and visit with us for a while (his flight left at 7:00-ish).

We gave him his computer, snacks, comfy underwear and change (for vending machines). He also flew to Goose Creek.

[Navywifemomma]

Popeyesmomma You said you stayed near O'hare and your sailor was able to stay with you in your room till his departure? Is he a nuke? My hubby will be graduating 9/12/14 and your plan seems like a good one!

[Popeyesmomma]

We stayed at the O'Hare Hilton (it's in the airport). He's a nuke, too! He's been so busy that we haven't heard much from him.

The airport hotel would have been a really good idea if he hadn't left so early. It still wasn't bad (my daughter-in-law and I were traveling with their 18 month old, so we didn't need to wake him up).

Good luck to you! PIR was so much fun!

[Navywifemomma]

kimAZmom did you need to book under your sailors name at the Navy lodge?

[watsosc]

Hi, I was just hoping for some clarification.

My husband is graduating October 17th and we are flying all the way from Washington State. I was wondering how much in advance did you find out your daughters allotted liberty time? And it sounds like you could bring them stuff to take to A School with them, but do you have to meet them at the airport in order to be able to hand stuff off, like their phone and computer and stuff?

Thanks!