Pass In Review - Tips, Hints, and Helps

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Comment by Kathy Baker-Robs Mom on October 23, 2008 at 6:55am

thank you everyone for posting!I have PIR TOMORROW!!

Comment by Craig on October 20, 2008 at 8:31am

Paul, my sales mtg ran short this am due to my blabbering and showing photos. I feel sorry for the staff here at work...they'll have to put up with this for sometime. HAHA

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 19, 2008 at 8:08pm

You know Craig- I'll warn you now, the second PIR is just as intense and emotional as the first, so get ready!!

Comment by Craig on October 19, 2008 at 5:06pm

I haven't read everythi ng below so if some of this is redundant...if where you are staying offers shuttle, take it. It will save you time. Construction at entry gate is limited (as of 10-17-08) to one lane at best. The walk to hall is not that far but if you get there early (0700) you will be sitting for a couple of hours BEFORE PIR starts. Seati ng space is at best at a minimum on the ground bleachers so as the weather starts getting cold you will more stuff to keep up with on very narrow aisled seats. The instructions from staff are very good so just listen to PA announcer. When PIR starts...get yourself ready for a wave of emotion. I've attended a lot of dignified ceremonies but these are our children and you will experince something of which I can only describe as "utterly fantastic". Make sure your camera batteries are good, take backups, (note...there is something about zoom on most digitals that will not allow enough light, even with flash so I would recommend refraining from this feature most of the time. You can always zoom in on computer after you download.

PIR is one of the most amazing events you will ever witness...go prepared to be overcome with emotions... joy for your sailor, a sense of a job "WELL DONE" and maybe even a new look in their eyes. You will be so proud you will feel like you are bursting apart...don't worry. Every other parent, sibling & spouse will be there, right with you.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 18, 2008 at 11:45am

Just a fast addition- there are some sailors considered "grad and go" and may graduate and have orders to ship out that same day. So be flexible when you meet up with your sailor and though you may be disappointed if he/she is a "grad and go" you gotta be supportive!!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 17, 2008 at 12:35pm

Sorry 'bout splitting this post up---I hit the wrong button!

As I said THE PLACE GOES NUTS whne liberty is announced as families rush onto the floor and try to find their sailors. At the same time the sailors are running around trying to find their families- it's crazy fun!! A lot of times, though the sailors can't really scan the crowds they'll find their families and have a general idea of where you'll be. Just in case, at both my PIR's I let out this huge "Corona" yell and boht Kat and Eric were able to orient themselves to where I was. I sure wasn't shy about the volume 'cause it's pretty loud in there!

Depending on your sailor's orders liberty generally falls into two classes- in general most sailors will be able to leave base in the morning, but must be back each evening. These rules are pretty well defined in the RTC Graduation Link I posted in part 1. For some sailors (Eric was one) they'll receive their orders and check in across the street. I was able to pick Eric up that evening (Friday) and he didn't have to report back to base until Sunday evening so he was able to stay with me at the Marriott and spend time with his mom and me for the next couple of days without worrying about reporting back each evening. These sailors are the excception, so play it by ear and respond to whatever ordrs they have. Regardless, your sailor will want non-navy food!! Probably a good ol' greasy cheeseburger for lunch. And almost all will want to do some shopping- cell phone time!!

Mapquest Link to Gurnee Mills Mall

Gurnee Mills Mall is a very large factory outlet mall only about 15 minutes from the base and has tons of stuff that your sailors may want to shop. There is also a Rainforest restaurant there...and a large Bass Pro Shop for dad! Also in the mall is a shop that will embroider flags, shirts, what ever for a very reasonable price. They must make hald their profit from parents having Navy flags stiched with their sailors name and PIR date...if you look at my page you'll see one I had made there.

In the same area of teh mall (across the street) are a bunch of restaurants- Olive Graden, Joe's Crab Shack, etc. etc. and I'm sure you'll end up at one or two with a bunch of your saillors friends and families.....it's a great time for all so enjoy!!

Remember that your sailor must be in uniform, must wear their cover when outdoors, that they cannot drive, nor can they drink alcohol. there is also a milage restriction....I believe they cannot be more than 50 miles from base at any time, but I may be error there. Regardless Chicago is within the distance limitation so if you want to a tourist- have fun. Chicago traffic can be pretty nuts and for a westerner like me the roads and traffic pattern are pretty odd! Be careful out there!

Hopefully some of you toher dads can add your suggestions and comments to make this wonderful PIR experience that much easier and better for others.

Paul

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 17, 2008 at 12:04pm

you'll enter the drill hall on the east end-- it's a rectangular building and as you walk in you'll note bleachers on the left and the drill area off to your right. Off in the distance on the right wall is a large roll-up door- this is where the divisions will enter and you'll see your sailor for the first time in uniform...it's quite a sight as they march in. Typically there will be division signs in front of areas in the bleachers- these seats are generally directly in front of where the corresponding division be come to rest after they march in. So pay attention to your sailor's division number and sit accordingly. There are also balcony seats- for both my PIRs I sat in the top row of the bleachers - I'm pretty tall and I was able to stand on the seats for better pictures. Regardlesss- there are a ton of people that are all trying to see their sailors and you'll have to put up with bobbing heads where ever you sit!

Thee are a numbers of displays/ceremonies that will occur before the divisions march in. In particular pay attention to the march of the state flags- each state will be announced so prepare to give a good yell when your state is announced...it is a great way to "see" the geographical distribtuion of recruits and you'll probaly be pretty surprised at how many sailors are from dry or land-locked states. At least I was when I gave my Arizona/Nevada yells!

Those divisions will be standing there for quite a while- you'll not sailors wandering through the ranks-- they are checking on the condition of the graduates and if they see them start to look like they are going to pass-out from excitment/stress/dehydration they will help them from the area....Kat told me everyone calls them the "Body Snatchers" ! So don't be alarmed.

Sit back and enjoy! And though there are all these tough-grizzled fathers there, you'll have a tough time trying to choke back the tears.

When the PIR is through Liberty will be announced-- THE PLACE GOES NUTS!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on October 16, 2008 at 12:45pm

After being invloved in NavyDads now for awhile, I've seen many questions and have read, and provided, a number of answers, helps, and tips for families about to experience their sailor's PIR. I thought it was time to set up one area that we could all use as a clearinghouse for this information exchange. So I'll start with some things I've noted after attending two PIR ceremonies: my daughter Kat's PIR was in Oct. '05 and my son Eric's PIR was in Mar '07.

First of all visit this RTC Graduation Link

Here you will find much information provided by Great Lakes about PIR. PIR is an abbreviation for Pass in Review and serves as the offical graduation of a navy recruit to a sailor. Because of limited space, the navy tries to limit the number of attendees that a recruit may invite- so those sailors with large families mayhave to make tough decisions about who may attend. Never the less, graduating classes typically run from 800 to 1100 recruits so you can imagine the number of people that show up for a PIR. Seating is tight and there will be a lot of folks in the drill hall (all PIR ceremonies are staged in the drill hall) so prepare for crowds! In addtion, remember that the world is different now and security is tight. Great Lakes is an active military base and you will have to go through a security checkpoint. You will need photo ID and "carry-ons" will be searched. In other words- plan ahead and get there early!! I believe gates open at 06:30- so plan to beat the rush and to get a good seat. As a note- phogoraphy is NOT ALLOWED while you are outside-- you may take all the photos you want in the drill hall and places like MCPON Hall. while on that subject- the navy sells DVDs of the PIR and your sailor should have information about that DVD. They are very reasonable in cost and though you may consider yourself another Spielberg or Lucas, the personnel that take the video have access to locations you do not. It is a good production and is worth the price!!

With the PIR packet you recieve will be a parking pass. From my experience, getting onto base in a car and be an interesting challenge. traffic is nuts and many vehicles are searched (remember the active military base thing?). But that was nothing compared to trying to get off base after the ceremony......I was stuck in the parking lot for more than an hour.........
SO- there are shuttles that run from many of the houses of lodging to the base for a very reasonable price. I believe it was $3/person for Eric's PIR. If you are not within walking distance of the base- pleae consider this alternative. be sure to ask when you check in or make your reservations. The shuttles bypass the majority of the traffic and will drop you at the north gate. you'll be directed where to go from that point- but be advised you'll have a little walking to do so women may not want to wear those 4" heels..........
Also note- Great Lakes is about 60 miles north of Chicago and it does get cold there so watch the weather channel or checkout a weather site on the 'net and pack accordingly. It was darn right cold for Eric's PIR on 3/9/07 with morning temperatures around 10 degrees...I'm still pretty used to cold weather, but you folks from warm climates will want to prepare. Likewise, the area canget pretty hot with high humidity in the summer...the drill hall can get stuffy I imagine...water is available...be sure to hydrate, but also remember that what goes in must come out eventually.....

That's probably enough for part one---

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