our PIR experience

[jojosmom]

Good morning all! My son just had his PIR 7/31, this past Friday. I just thought I would tell you a little bit about our experience.  We drove from Texas (long long drive) and stayed at the Navy Lodge. The lodge was great, I recommend you reserve as soon as possible. Our stay was only $66 a night and no tax. We arrived at PIR around 7:45. I did hear there was lines as early as 5:45 outside the gate. But since we have a toddler with us we didn't want to have to wait so long and he become restless. There was no lines when we arrived so it was very quick to enter and park. Must have ID for everyone, parking pass,and insurance at the gate and you will also need ID to enter the PIR area. Since we did arrive before 8. The section in front of our SR was pretty full. We probably could of squeezed in but with a toddler we decided to sit more toward the end. You have a good view from anywhere to be honest. Afterwards we found our SR Hugged/took pics and he was ready to go back to his barracks to move. He is staying in GL for school. We went to the visitors center to meet him. The visitor center is a small building with not much seating. Its more like a DMV office. They also have the Naval museum next to it.  They told us it may be until 3pm before your SR comes to the visitor center so we decided to get a quick bite to eat. We arrived back around 2:00 and as soon as we drove up I saw some sailors outside and a lot more people waiting. They were the first group of sailors to arrive. The sailors are released in groups. So basically everyone is waiting outside by the gate to see their sailors walk up. A lot of people are sitting in the grassy shaded area. So if you want to bring a folding chair or blanket that might be good if you plan to stay and wait the whole time. My son arrived around 3 ish.  There is a pay phone inside the visitor center and a lot of sailors were calling family that were not there waiting for them. They only have one phone so the line gets long for them. I will say that if you can wait, do it.  As the sailors walk through the gate the families are all looking for there sailors and everyone claps for them. It was like be reunited all over again. Also no pictures are allowed. Security is tight!  We didn't make plans for the weekend. I decided to let my son decide what he wanted to do since I wasn't sure if he would be tired or not.  First thing he wanted to do was go to the mall. They have there money and probably have an idea what they want to buy. My son was looking for a laptop.  He ended up getting one at best buy, but the NEX does carry them also and they don't pay taxes. fyi. We didn't realize that until the day after when we went to visit the NEX. They also have a Navy pride section if you want to buy shirts, etc.. much cheaper then the mall. Our weekend pretty much was him laying around the room setting up his laptop, catching up on shows, and eating. He also wanted to go see a movie, and  go out to eat.  It was a nice enjoyable weekend with him. We picked him up each morning around 7:30. We waited for him to call when he was ready. Drop off is at 9. You do have to sign them in and out. I was very happy with the way it all turned out. Saying good bye again was hard but luckily we will see him again in a little over a month. He is getting leave before heading to San Diego. Thanks to the boot camp mom group for all the help and support you offer! The experience has been a great one! It seems like forever ago that I was waiting for the box or form letter.. Best wishes to you all and prayers to all the SR's.

[Marcy]

Congratulations to your Son, you and your family as well!..Thanks for sharing your PIR experience and travel trip.I have a question, How far was the drive?..I live in Dallas and driving sounds very convenient, considering it a possibility..I'm still waiting on the form letter..7/30/15

[jojosmom]

Thanks Marcy.  We drove from Dallas as well and it took us around 16 hours. I think the route we took over there and driving all night really wore us out! But on the way back we left early in the AM. and drove all day and the route we took was much better.  It was very convenient to have our own car.  There is a lot of shuttles and taxis around but not sure how the wait was for them. Oh and if you do drive take change for tolls, they are everywhere. haha

[Michelle0120]

Thank you so much for this information. My SR wont be graduating from RDC until early Octobor most likely, but I have so many logistic questions about it, so this helps alot. My son will be staying in GL after graduation before heading to A school in San Diego as well. What rank is your son? When did he find out that he would get leave in between GL and San Diego? I am assuming his A school will be in San Diego and thats why he is going there? Did he get the leave because the A school in San Diego is not ready for him yet? Just curious. :)
As far as the PIR experience you discribed, I am planning on the Navy Lodge as well and we will be driving from Minneapolis so we will have our car, but thought maybe it would be easier to get the shuttle. I have no idea how long it will take to get back to the hotel from PIR using the shuttle as well. Did you notice anything like that? Was there alot of people waiting on shuttles? Was it easy to get to the gates of the TSC center when dropping off and picking up that weekend? Sorry for all of the questions. :)

[jojosmom]

Hi Michelle0120! My son is E-Pact, so from what I hear all the SR's in the PACT program will do a training/A school in GL then get leave and go to wherever they have orders. So my son found out about his orders around two weeks before PIR. He will be headed to a ship as soon as he gets to San Diego. PACT program does a lot of hands on training in different areas then they choose what rate they want to strike for.  What rate is your SR? They have shuttles and taxis everywhere! So I am assuming its convenient for people to use them and not much of a wait. Pick up and drop off is fairly easy. Your SR will walk and meet you at the gate so you can drive in with them, then you will go and sign them in and out.. there is a small line at times for signing in and out but its not to bad. We had our SR call when he was ready to be picked up. Since they are now able to get up and go to sleep pretty much when they want, we didn't want to rush him.  He also wanted to set up his room and get to know his bunk mates. Also not sure if you are on Facebook but they do have PIR groups set up on there that you can join. the admins are very helpful as well, so I would check into that as soon as you find out the PIR date. Also if you are not doing so already follow the U.S Navy Recruit Training Command on facebook they randomly post pics of the SR's. :)

[mysailor_myanchor0701]

jojosmom, thank you so much for this information! What did you have to present every morning to pick him up from the gate?

[jojosmom]

you just have to show your ID's. Your SR will meet you at the gate and drive in with you, then you will sign them out/in. :)

[DREW7062]

DIANEP: Hi, haven't talked in awhile my son came home last night from A school San Anonio Texas graduated this week my how time flies since being on this site. It's been 6 months already. He'll be home for 2 1/2 weeks..yayyyyy then off to Yokosuka Japan..such a proud no mom. Ladies/moms please stay on this site it's a great site always someone to talk to and WE ALL know what you're feeling. Hang in there moms seems like yesterday my baby was in boot camp. Good luck moms and congrats to all who graduated yesterday 8/7 PIR

[jojosmom]

2 1/2 weeks! that is awesome!  I cant wait to have my son home for 2 weeks.. I am hoping to have his room painted and re-done before he gets here! We are in San Antonio, TX. I bet your son was glad to get away from this heat! :)

[DREW7062]

Oh my God I am overjoyed at my baby being home.... He lays across my bed and talks and talks and talks lol... We start from the first day he arrived at boot camp and until the last day of A school. I fixed him his favorite dinner and we have been non stop since friday when he came home. Now I'm counting th days til he leaves for Japan ;-( but it's okay because Xmas he'll be back that's just 4 months.... Hopefully he'll be here for 2 weeks. It's not so bad now I get to talk to him all the time we text and FaceTime so it's good I want to get to see him at least every 4 or 5 months. I'm so very proud of him. And I know you are proud as well. What is your SAILORS rate?

[jojosmom]

that is awesome DREW7062! don't you just love to hear them tell you their experiences! My sailor is in the Pact program he is E-Pact. What is your sailors rate?

[Beckyg65]

Thank you for hotel info. We are on very fixed budget and still are not sure can attend. But that really helps!!

[lemonelephant]

Becky, see Saving Money PIR Weekend and check your My Page.