Our PIR experiences and tips

[Heidi W.]

Hi Folks.  We were at our first PIR on January 8, 2016 and would like to share our experiences in hopes it will help out new Navy families.

We flew into O'hare on Thursday night.  The airport is big, but not too intimidating.  The person at the information desk pointed us in the right direction, and we found ourselves on a bus heading to the car rental area.  The folks at Alamo were very friendly and helpful, and we were on our way in no time at all.  Note: we didn't have any checked bags, so from landing to driving out of the parking lot took a total of about 30 to 45 minutes.  Our arrival was at 6:30pm on a Thursday, and the airport was not too busy.

Our drive was to Waukegan, and was an easy drive.  At about 7:00pm there was very little traffic, and the drive took around 45 minutes.  The toll was $1.90.  We stayed at the Courtyard Mariott in Waukegan, which was very nice and very clean.  Desk staff was friendly and full of tips and suggestions.  While checking in we put our name on the shuttle list for the ride to the PIR.  That was the best thing we did, more on that later.

For dinner that night we ate and Anastasia's, which is next door to the Courtyard.  Great food and great service.  Four of us ate, with a drink or two, for $55.

The next day we had a quick breakfast in the lobby, and were on the shuttle at about 6:30.  Tip..go on the early shuttles for the best seats at PIR.  When we saw the line of cars waiting to get in the gate, and then the shuttle van drove around all of those cars to bring us directly to the gate, we knew we made the right choice.  Total cost for the van ride is $3.00 per person each way...money well spent.  The van can hold six passengers, so there is room for your entire family, and if one van is full, there will be another one soon.

After getting through security (tip, have license ready), it's a little walk to the ceremony hall.  Plan accordingly if the weather is bad, and don't put your ID away, you'll need it again.  We were sitting down by 7:15.  When you walk in the hall, look for your recruits division sign so you'll be sitting in the right place, get your seats, and settle in.  Tip, go to the bathroom before you sit.  There were 12 divisions graduating that day, so people who arrived later had difficulties finding seats near their recruits division.

The PIR is great, and I won't give away any of their surprises, but relax...you will really enjoy this ceremony.  And following the PIR....LIBERTY!!!  After 8 weeks, you can finally hug your Navy Sailor.

Our son had to check into A school, so we left him there and went back to the Courtyard, via the same Black and Red van.  The driver was sitting near the gate when we came out.  Another friendly man, and not a scary driver either.

Lunch was at Sweet Tomatoes, all soup and salad.  Fresh salad fixings, and all you can eat.

We picked up our son at about 3:00 pm and got caught up on the last 8 weeks.  Afterwards we went to dinner at a Sushi place...not very good, and very over priced.  Oh well, the only downside to the weekend.

The sailors need to be back on base at night, so we dropped him off at about 7:00 pm with plans for breakfast the next day.  Also, they can now have cell phones on base, so you can bring your sailors phone if you want to.

Saturday...we drove to Wisconsin and had breakfast at Franks Place in Kenosha.  It is not very far from the base (about 30 minutes), and it is definitely worth the trip.  WOW....what a breakfast.  Try the garbage plates, and a bloody mary.  Incredible. Guy Fieri filmed a show for diners, drive ins, and dives there.

On the way back to the Courtyard we found a Jelly Belly plant.  Couldn't tell you exactly where, but I'm sure Google could help.

Later that day we had lunch at Portillo's for Chicago style hot dogs.  REAL cool place, and the food sure was good.

Dinner brought us back to Anastasia's.  They have an incredible deep dish pizza.  Our left over food went back to the base.  We had to have our son back on base by 10:00pm, and you can drive them directly to their ship.  Make sure you all have your ID's handy, and also the rental slip for the car.

Our return trip was incredibly easy.  It snowed Saturday night, so I figured I'd get an early start.  Traffic was light and the roads were clear.  We pulled up at Alamo, there were two employees who met us at the car, and by the time the four of us were out of the car they already had our bags on the shuttle bus for us.  The bus ride to the terminal was about 15 minutes, and TSA check in was about 30 minutes.  Total time from hotel to gate was about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but I'd suggest you plan to get there early in case your travelling at a more busy time.

NOTE: Thank you Navyformoms for all of your information.  After reading the posts by others, we were very prepared for the PIR, making our trip much more relaxing and stress free.

And...welcome to the Navy family!

[lemonelephant]

Clearwater, Yes, you will see them. A mono-pod is better since you must be able to use it from your seat in the bleachers and must not stand in the aisles.

[Clearwater]

Thank you, lemonelephant!

I got telephoto lens for my camera and it's bit heavy to hold all the time. Mono-pod will solve the issue.

I just hope he will be somewhere near enough for good shots. He is in 900's and I have no idea about his position. (I wrote to him asking about it but I have not received reply. Also no call this month) Oh well, I wait for I'm a sailor! call.

[lemonelephant]

Clearwater, you are very welcome. Hopefully he will let you know if he is carrying a flag and which one or if he is an extra and has other duties--you may see him before PIR starts.

[disneymom]

Hey, I just wanted to share my experience with PIR 3/25.  I realize that everyone has different levels of experience with driving away from home.  You know better yourself what situation you can deal with and what you can't.  We chose to fly into Milwaukee and get a rental instead of Midway because it looked like an easy drive and it definitely was. I have a map app on my i phone called WAZE and I highly recommend using that if you can.  It is free and awesome, you can avoid all tolls using this app. It will alert you if an accident is ahead, a car stopped on the shoulder, traffic cameras reported, and even road kill ahead lol! The good thing about the driving conditions is that really the traffic is not what I call heavy, you have plenty of time to pay attention to where you are going.  The only bad thing was there were not too many U- turns if you do pass something up. I have driven through several States, Cities and even Cozumel Mexico, and I was a little nervous for no reason at all.

I highly recommend the Navy Lodge, especially if your Sailor has A school in the Great Lakes with Liberty through the weekend.  It is very close and convenient!  Incredibly friendly and wonderful staff. The breakfast is pretty good.  I did do the shuttle for PIR just because you get a chance to see where you will be going back to pick them up for Liberty. It is only $2.00 a piece and the driver will explain everything to you, and that was great.

Saturday morning we really didn't do too much, just talked and visited and stayed in. In the afternoon we had to take his girlfriend to the airport to fly home and ate at a Texas Road House on the way.  It was good, but the same as anywhere else. We stopped by the Jelly Belly plant and it was way too packed to have time for the train ride and tour. Probably because it was Easter weekend.  We took a few pictures outside.

Sunday we drove to the Navy Pier and again used the waze app and it was an easy drive.  Parking at the Navy Pier is $20.00.  We had lunch at the Pier and took a Taxi over to Lincoln Park to visit the Zoo.  For dinner we wanted to eat light (soup and salad) so we chose Sweet Tomatoes. Love that place, wish we had one at home it was really good, and let me tell you... folks around home really know how to cook!

I hope this is helpful for any of you who have upcoming PIR! I read so many post from others but still didn't fully know what to expect until going myself. It just all depends on what you personally are comfortable with.

[missydog1]

This was very helpful.  Thank you!  

[missydog1]

This was very helpful.  Thank you!  We just booked at this hotel.  I am so happy not to have to deal with the issues getting on base the morning of graduation!  Our sailor graduates April 29th.

[missydog1]

This was very helpful.  Thank you!  We just booked at this hotel.  I am so happy not to have to deal with the issues getting on base the morning of graduation!  Our sailor graduates April 29th.

[Momofamermaid]

How long after your sailors left for Boot Camp did you find out when graduation was?

[lemonelephant]

Theresa,

The Form Letter arrives an average of ten days after the recruit's arrival at the RTC. Some will have it 7 days after arrival (a few earlier than that, but not many) and most will have it by 14 days after arrival. It will tell you your recruit's address and PIR date and other important information. Keep it in a safe place.

Arrival and What Happens at the RTC within Boot Camp Moms (and loved ones) will let you know what is happening and what to expect.

Check your My Page.

[Navymom95]

Thank you for the great information. My son is currently in boot camp, I had wanted to get an idea of how our trip will be. I'm definitely taking note of the guy fiery restaurant.

[SusanS]

This is an incredibly useful thread!  My son's PIR is April 15 and we are also staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Waukegan.  I understand that the hotel shuttle will take us to PIR before the ceremony and return us to the hotel.  We are not renting a car for our weekend in Chicago area and so I am concerned about availability of Uber or taxi service between hotel and base.  Son is remaining at Great Lakes for A school so I understand from this thread that he will have liberty Saturday and Sunday.  Does he have to return to base at night?  How late will taxi services run?

Thanks, all!

[lemonelephant]

SusanS, yes, he must return to his barracks each night for muster by 10 pm so you will need to drop him off around 9:30 pm. See PIR Day and Liberty during PIR Weekend to help you know how to plan your weekend.