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Events
**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.
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Helpful hints for PIR
Just completed PIR last week and we would have found the following information helpful: perhaps it's somewhere that we missed, or our son isn't the best at communicating, but anyway, we wish we had known:
1. BE EARLY. When they say the gate opens at 6:30 am, know there will be a LONG LINE of cars! There are 3 lanes that need to "zipper" and nobody directing traffic at the lights leading up to the entry The public street is not governed by the Navy so the local police would have to do it. We were in the far right lane: big mistake. Those in the left lane just whizzed by and the folks in the middle were stuck going nowhere as well, and this was 3 lights back.
We sat with the car (part of the time in park through 6 green lights) as the time ticked by (from 6:45 to about 7:45 getting nowhere) . I finally got out and walked in to save a seat for my husband and daughter. She went back out to trade driving with my husband, then parked the car and made it in at 9:00 am, just in the nick of time. Had they not delayed graduation she would have missed it.
2. Save the poor guy standing out in the cold having to repeat this a million time and HAVE YOUR GATE PASS VISIBLE IN YOUR WINDOW. It's cold out there and these guys would like to keep everyone moving smoothly.
3. When you get into the building, bleachers are on your right. Look to the left for portable signs that have your recruit's division number on them. That's the section they'll be in. You won't necessarily be able to see much of the actual ceremony if you're seated at the ends, but they do have big screens up so you can see those.
4. Do not stand up in the bleachers or climb over them: it's absolutely forbidden and you'll be scolded (firmly but kindly.) Walk to the end of the row and use the stairs.
And a side note... it's a long morning with an early start and no quick exit to the bathroom once the ceremony starts. Consider carefully if you want to bring small children. If you do, bring plenty to keep them occupied etc. It's a cool ceremony, but not very interesting for little ones who had to get up at the crack of dawn!
Enjoy and congratulations to the new sailors!
Views: 5453
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by vanbeelenl2 on
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Thank you so much - going on the 31st to see our son. Best of luck to your son, you and all your fam!
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Permalink Reply by diannep on
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Hotels recommended by others on this site are:
Navy Lodge (book in your SR's name if you do not have military ID)
Residence Inn, Courtyard, Springhill Suites,, and Holiday Inn Express.....these are all close together 4-5 miles from RTC (10 min drive) close to Sarge's MeetandGreet held for you the night before PIR. Call these hotels directly and ask for the Navy Graduation discount. Compare to other discounts you have....for instance, we used our AAA discount when there for Residence.
A suggestion that all may want to consider; Take the shuttles to PIR! You will avoid what katep wrote about above. Sarge runs his taxis as shuttles on PIR morning....you can book with him at his MeetandGreet or contact him at 847 212 0246....and the local taxi service also runs shuttles....you usually book those at your hotel front desk (or they may give you a number). The PIR shuttles are $3/pp each way, I believe, and well worth it. They bypass the car lines and continuously drop off, returning to hotels to pick more up. We took the shuttle when up for my son's PIR....we were seated in PIR Hall by a little after 7.
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Permalink Reply by mamak on
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diannep : Where do they drop you off? I have a handicap that keeps me from walking very far. We were considering handicap parking. Do you think the shuttle would be easier on me? (do they let you off near the door?)
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Permalink Reply by NavyNukMom on
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Thank you very much for sharing this. It was very nice of you. Good luck!
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Thanks for this. Planning to be in line at 6AM. How long after the ceremony did you connect with you Recruit?
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Permalink Reply by katep on
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You will be more than fine time-wise! I think part of our issue was the lane we were in, and we really didn't want to miss it- especially since we flew in from overseas for it!!
Immediately after graduation the sailors have a few minutes to meet family and snap a few selfies, then I think most if not all have to gather their things from their compartment and report to the next command.
We were able to go back at about 2:30 or 3:00 to get him (he didn't have time to eat so was starving,) then he had to return that evening by 9. There is a beautiful little town nearby (Lake Forest) with nice restaurants. We went there to eat and walk around in the cute but expensive shops. Really not enough time to go into the city and back.
I hope you have a great day and congratulations to your sailor!
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My son has a PIR graduation date of 2016-02-05. I am totally new to all this. My wife and I want to fly to GL Chicago to attend his PIR. Is there a document that lists all the logistics to planning the weekend? For instance:
What airport is best or closest to fly into?
What is closest best hotel?
Do we need to rent a car?
What day should we arrive and when should we leave?
What time should we arrive for PIR and where to park?
etc etc etc -- I am lost?
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Permalink Reply by Fla_navy_mom on
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Ohare airport is best pre book your rental car they go fast!!! And any hotel in the area is fine
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mattyd, I will (the good lord willing) also be at PRI 2/5/16. I booked reservations at the Navy lodge the day he left. I just have to give them my SR's name (or have my other sailor call).
The last PIR in 2012, we flew into Midway and rented a car and stayed at Navy Lodge. However, the 'letter' only had room for 3 attendees, so (I think) out of fairness, SR son only listed me and his father - not my husband or ex's girlfriend. I don't want to travel alone and hate to drive in strange cities. I may just get a shuttle to NL and to PIR.
Arrive early the day before - there will be a PIR meet and greet for your SR/Sailor's division that evening. Since my son leaves for A school a few hours after PIR, I will go home then.
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