Pass In Review - Tips, Hints, and Helps

Comment

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 12, 2011 at 1:27pm

Important news from RTC:

 

We would like to stress to the July 1 PIR group that NO additional guests will be allowed into the ceremony. Only four guests per recruit will be allowed to attend the ceremony and this includes children. It is imperative that you communicate with your recruits as to which four names will be listed. There are no exceptions — four guests only, no matter what age.

Comment by Ray Norberto on May 7, 2011 at 10:40am

Congratulations to the new Sailors as of May 6th! And to the families as well. Thanks for your service to our nation!

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 17, 2011 at 7:39pm

from RTC:

 

Can your recruits wear their own glasses or contacts for graduation? Yes they can. You can mail those items to them so they have them in time for the ceremony. For contacts, only one week's worth of solution is allowed.

Comment by Terry W Moore on April 3, 2011 at 11:12am

Just got home from picking up our sailor from the airport

Comment by Ray Norberto on April 1, 2011 at 1:06pm

First, to Tim: indeed, watch ALL potential traffic violations, especially with the new graduate in the car.  I cruised through a yellow light, and got reamed out by my newly minted E-3 Seaman!  Seems their liberty could be revoked if a Great Lakes squad car pulls over a law breaking parent!  Needless to say, the rest of the day I spend behind the wheel well below the limit, and stopping if the DON'T WALK sign was just flashing...

To proud papa Wil, that is one seriously excellent chunk of advice!  Should be required reading by every future PIR attendee!

Comment by Wil Bishop on March 31, 2011 at 1:27pm

Well Folks.....I was just at my daughters graduation last Friday and must say I am one very proud papa!  

 

The ceremony was great!

 

Some notes from my trip:

 

-LODGING-

**If making reservations directly with the hotel/motel definately let them know you are going to be there for a Navy Graduation.  Ask if they have special room rates for that.

We stayed at the Residence Inn which was only about 10 minutes away from the base.  It is a very nice place.  We were in one of the two bedroom suites (not to be confused with a two room suite).  The suite actually has two separate bedrooms (with full bath in each) and a common area.  There was also a sofabed in the common area.  There was a flat screen tv in each bedroom as well as the common area.  There was a full kitchen (stove w/oven, microwave, sink, full fridge w/freezer & icemaker and a dishwasher.

If you have 3-5 people in your party this is the way to go.  We paid $134 a night (not including taxes).

They provide a breakfast buffet each morning (eggs, waffles, fried/roasted potato's, one type of breakfast meat, cold & hot cereal, sometimes pancakes and fruit.)

The staff was always friendly and curteous.

 

-Shuttle service-

Basically minivan taxis.  It is $3 each way.  It is definately the way to go to get to the graduation.  They drop you off at the gate and there is a line of them when the ceremony is over.  Much better than fighting the traffic.

 

-Graduation Ceremony-

The main gate opens at 0630.  The building for graduation opened their doors at 0700.   You definately want to get there early.  Although the ceremony does not start until 0900, the place fills up fast.

I would suggest sitting on either end of the row for easier access in and out of the bleachers prior to start.  Not sure if they allow them in, but bring a stadium seat if you have one.  After 2-3 hours on sitting on a metal bleacher your rear-end will appreciate it!

 

-Chicago-

If you decide to venture to Chicago, I would suggest taking the train.  The station is directly across the street from the gate you entered for graduation. 

It is only $7.50 round trip and takes an hour.  We decided it would be much easier than driving.

....side note...for those who are not aware, it is no longer the Sears Tower and was renamed the Willis Tower. (although everyone still calls it the former)

 

-MISC-

The Gurnee Mills mall is not too far away so your sailor may want to spend some of that hard earned money they have been unable to do so

while in bootcamp.

Walmart and Target are also in the area.

There are numerous eating places.  I would suggest asking the locals where they prefer to go for whatever type of food your group is in the mood for.  They will definately have the inside scoop.

 

Our sailor's A-school is at Great Lakes as well. She was free to go at 0630 each morning and had to be back each night around 2100.

 

Please feel free to ask me any questions!

 

Thanks!

Wil

 

Comment by Timothy W. Puffenbarger on March 28, 2011 at 3:25pm

Point of interest always and i mean always watch the speed limits there at around the base the speed trap it and its 150 bucks if over and out of town tags lol i know from experience when yr thinking about leaving yr son or daughter yr not thinking or watching and boom them got u and no warnings i was told so beware..........ive been there four times and every time there out;;;;;it only takes one time so,,,,,,,,good luck to all my son nat grad A school third class petty ,,,,,,waiting on orders .......pir is a blast.....but its gets better when they get there bling lol which they call the upgrade after A school silver eagles  then there chest puffs out more lol/////good luck to all

Comment by Larry E Andrews Jr. on March 28, 2011 at 2:11pm

 Good luck to all on ship 11 division 121. Battle Stations is close at hand. Work together and hard and all will be well. My son Joshua is in that division and I wish him all the luck in the world. I love you son. Do me proud. Dad.

Comment by Ray Norberto on March 28, 2011 at 9:44am

I drove, but there were only five divisions graduating so traffic was very manageable.  I had wanted to do the shuttle; but we had to be there early because Chris was an Honor Graduate, and the shuttles were booked by folks who were at the motel much earlier than we arrived.  So, best advice for shuttle use: get to your motel early, and make that the first order of business right after you register for your rooms.

Comment by Scott's parent on March 28, 2011 at 7:19am

We were there a few weeks ago and no one was getting the gate shown on the map. We were all directed to the gate closest to the
train tracks". On the map the PIR was at the building that shows as a white roof top. Also, if you want coffee ...get it early or they will be out.

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