Pass In Review - Tips, Hints, and Helps

Comment

Comment by Brad on March 25, 2013 at 3:02pm

Your driver's license will work. There will be a list of invited guests and you need to be on the list. If I recall, it started at 8:30? Is that right? I think we drove over around 6:45.

If you are taking the shuttle, they can give you a recommended time as they do it every week. Depending on the size of the PIR, you probably want to get in there early.

Comment by C. R. Dean on March 25, 2013 at 12:06pm

My son's PIR is this Friday March 29th.  I have a silly question, my hotel provide shuttle rides to the base, so I assume I will not need a gate pass since I will not be driving a car.  What will  i need to access the PIR ceremony?  I assume my driver lisc. anything else.  What is a good time to arrive at the ceremony?

Comment by Brad on March 25, 2013 at 9:35am

I would suggest, instead of driving on base, park across the road at the train station for $2. Much easier to walk in, and we got in earlier than those driving in.

Comment by Beth Gonzales on March 19, 2013 at 9:32pm

I wanted to know what would be needed to get on base if we are in a rented vehicle, besides our gate password.

Thanks!

Comment by Bruce Crandall on March 10, 2013 at 1:09pm

Best advice I can give is to get with Sarge. Have him run you from the airport, go to his Meet & Greet and listen to what he says. Whether you drive, rent a car or take his shuttles as long as you listen to him you'll never be late or lost. He knows his stuff and is the absolute best person to help you and your SR!

Comment by Paul Olson on February 10, 2013 at 1:36pm

I would echo Richard's comment.  The Lodge was perfect-rooms are huge and we had a Kitchenette for 71 bucks a night.  My son wanted his favorite pizza made by a local diner.  We brought them frozen and cooked them in a pizza oven we brought along as no oven in the room. Full size frig with freezer.  

Sarge's meet and greet is a must!  This guy is one proud American Vet which he wears on his sleeve; truly a wonderful and helpful person.  We didn't use his taxi service, though that was our original plan.  We ultimately drove and left the Lodge at 0630, waited in line a bit and got right in.  Division numbers are listed on the floor so you have an idea of where your SR will be.  We sat on the ground level, 2/3 up the risers and had a great view of the ceremony and immediate access once liberty is called.    

Comment by Richard M. on February 10, 2013 at 12:23pm

Here are a few things that made the trip go really well. You will only get one crack at this once in a lifetime event. Keep it low stress and stay flexible. You are not calling the shots on the schedule you sailor's command does. Just soak up every fantastic moment with your sailor. You will never forget.

Hotel - Navy Lodge is 66.00 a night and there is no tax as it is on base and run by NEX. 1 mile to RTC and the A school drop off point. Nothing is closer. It has every thing you could need. True continental breakfast and free WIFI. Ample parking. Thursday night and Friday gets very busy. It is worth it to arrive Wed night if you can. 1-800-navy-inn.
If you have a recruit who is staying for "A" School in Great Lakes you will do a lot of shuttling to the base. To maximize time with your new sailor I suggest the Navy Lodge.

Air fare: Southwest saved us a ton but only flies into Midway. 250. Round trip from Florida.

Car Rentals are cheaper in the local area but ground transport can take away the savings. If you look at individual companies instead of the Expedia types of sites you will do better. It was worth the patients as we got a minivan out of Midway for 36 a day.

The best thing we did is go to Sarge's Meet and great. This guy will insure that you are prepared. He and his fellow cab drivers hold a cool gathering at the Sundance Saloon and make sure you are prepared for PIR. Everything he said and I mean everything came true on Friday! You must attend this event to maximize your enjoyment. They also offer shuttle service from every hotel by minivan to and from the PIR. Navy lodge does not offer shuttle service so if you want pick up and drop off then they have you covered. $3.00 each way per person.

If your son or daughter has Liberty over the weekend. Take the METRA rail into Chicago. It is fun and there is a weekend pass (for $7 ; active duty $5) fun and there was no car to park. Be advised this is NOT a subway it runs every two hours on the weekend. That caught us off guard so we drove in. We saw Willis "Sears" Tower ($18 ea; active duty is free)

PIR starts at a reasonable time but to get great seats you need to get there early. There are thousands of people who want great seats.

We took our twin sons out for breakfast on Saturday to the Full Moon. It was fantastic, and probably one of the closest to base.

You will love PIR, I know we did!

Comment by Paul Olson on February 10, 2013 at 11:05am

Thank you, Sir!

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on February 10, 2013 at 9:57am

Paul, we'll never forget the joy and experience of PIR... Congrats and BZ to Kiefer!

Comment by Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom on February 10, 2013 at 9:06am

Paul....you just made me well up by bringing back those memories. BZ, Sir !

 

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