Pass In Review - Tips, Hints, and Helps

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Comment by Roger Ravenstad on October 17, 2009 at 12:04am

Not sure if this has already been discussed, but what are the rules with cameras at PIR? I am assuming right off the bat that tripods and monopods are not allowed. Anything else?

Comment by Jeff Matteoli on October 16, 2009 at 9:51pm

Just completed a day with our son. PIR is incredible. For someone as myself that does not know or understand all the rich history and traditions related to our Navy it is really cool. As mentioned by other posts to this group. I suggest try to get to the gate no later than 1 half hour. Be prepared to sit in traffic and to have your ID's and possible your vehicle registration and insurance checked. On another note I strongly recommend Residence Inn family suites. It worked out great for us. A 2 bedroom and 2 full baths with a full kitchen. Today our son just wanted to lounge around so we ate some lunch and came back to the motel just to talk and do and spend time together. It was great catching up. I would also recommend binoculars. This was great in locating your Sailor. Lets face they all kind of look alike. It really helped us find him even though you know what division its still tough finding them. Also if you can I would suggest coming a day early to get a dry run where everything is. Again the Residence Inn was very convenient. It was close to the Base and close to restaurants and shopping. Here is a picture of him right after Liberty call with his girlfriend.

Comment by Mark on October 16, 2009 at 7:17pm

I forgot to add our picture!

Comment by Mark on October 16, 2009 at 7:17pm

Zach's PIR was today! It took us about an hour to get from our hotel to RTC. Once through the gate you will be staged just to the right. They have about five rows with about five cars in each row. Once they have you in the staging area they will politely ask you to turn off the car until they check you out. They want to see everyone's ID, your proof of insurance, and registration. Like I said, they were very nice about the whole thing. Once you are done there you will park in the LARGE lot. You will be directed to a building where you will check in. This to was quick, and the Second Class that checked us in was again polite and helpful. Next it was across the street to the graduation hall. We entered, and found our seats.

From here you will have the experience of a lifetime! PIR is one of those things that can be described, but no mater what is said it can't describe the feelings you will experience.


Then it was Liberty Call! We were lucky that Zach was an usher, and he noticed us sitting close, so he was able to find us quickly. We hugged, and headed for the door. He had to go back to his barracks to pick up his liberty card. Once he got back to the car we were in the parking lot for about forty five minutes. We'd move a little and stop. It was all good though, we used that time to just inch forward, and swap stories, move a little more, and talk some more. If you expect this, it was actually not that bad. It was just nice to talk to him. I didn't care if we were moving or not.

We had a great day, and we made sure he got back to RTC with about an hour or so. Just remember this is the Navy, and if you anticipate lines and delays it will all be good. Leave early for everything, and there won't be any panic or surprises.

Once again Congratulations to all that graduated today, and to all who will graduate in the future.

Comment by Bob Willis on October 15, 2009 at 9:02pm

Congratulations to all of you who are nearing PIR time. Our son PIR'd 09/18/2009 and it was a life changing experience. The NAVY knows how to do it! You will be prouder of your sailor than you ever imagined. We stayed at the La Quinta in Gurnee and it was great. The La Quinta is on a cul de sac with several restaurants, Joe's Crab Shack, Cracker Barrel, IHOP, and Olive Garden next door to the hotel. Ten to fifteen minute drive to RTC and the hotel is just across the freeway from Gurnee Mall where a lot of the sailors, ours included, wanted to go after PIR. Here are a few things we did that I recommend. Arrive by 6:00 A.M. at RTC. We parked at the Metro Station next door to RTC, paid our $2.00 for parking and walked right in without waiting in the car line. The Metro Station is just past the turn in for RTC just before the overpass on a small road to the right. We had the best seats in the house for our son's division. We were actually the first inside the building. Bring a camera, binoculars and Kleenex. I searched for my son with the binoc's and never found him because they all looked alike. The change in him was unbelievable. He is now a polite, very professional sailor. You will be proud. We went to the NEX to get our shirts, sweatshirts and license plate frames right away because they sell out of the good stuff fast. Then fed him his first meal he could actually talk during for two months then went to the mall for a great afternoon. The next door roade the Metro to downtown Chicago. Unbelievable day and Sailors were everywhere. Again, you will be very proud. People in restaurants and on the street stopped our son and thanked him for his service. We are going to experience all the see-saw emotions of RTC and PIR again. Our daughter is signing up in the NAVY now. Parents, get ready for the weekend of your life. It was mine. Thank you my Son and thank you NAVY.

Comment by Roger Ravenstad on October 13, 2009 at 9:16pm

Bob, great post - thanks for the overview. We are getting close to our son's PIR on 11/6/09 and your last few sentences made me pause. I'm really looking forward to this.

Comment by Devons Dad From CT (Rich) on October 13, 2009 at 8:11pm

We're off to PIR this Thursday for the 10/16 graduation! Thank you all for all the information and suggestions. I'll give you my two cents of recommendations when I get back. I heard there is a reception at the Ramada Thursday night from 6-8 which I will plan on attending.

Comment by Bob Russell on October 13, 2009 at 1:20pm

We are back from PIR on October 9. What a great experience! I have gotten a lot of tips from this site, now it's time for me to share some of my own. We flew into O’Hare Thursday at noon and rented a car. Traffic was OK for the commute since we were driving during the middle of the day, but it’s Chicago and construction is everywhere. If I did it again I would fly into Milwaukee and drive south for an easier commute. We stayed at the Navy Lodge. It was a clean and comfortable facility and a bargain for $65 per night – no tax. If you don’t have transportation though, you will need a cab or shuttle to get to any shopping or restaurants. It is a mile walk to PIR which is a bit far in the cold weather that is setting in. LEAVE EARLY FOR PIR! We left the Navy Lodge at 06:30 and it took us 40 minutes to wait in the line of cars at the gate and get parked, then 30 mintues to get checked in and seated. This class had 1019 sailors – the largest in over a year. Graduation ceremonies were postponed for about 20 minutes waiting for spectators to be seated. Since Mark does not leave for A School until this Wednesday, he had a 4 day liberty, Friday through Monday. He got Monday liberty because it was Columbus Day. Remember that if your sailor does not grad-and-go, he will need to stand watch at some point during his weekend liberty. Mark had to go back to quarters early Friday for his watch, but had the rest of his days free over the weekend. The only things he wanted to do on Friday were kiss his wife, eat lunch and take a nap. We rode the Metra train into Chicago on Saturday - $5 each for a weekend ticket. We went to the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) SkyDeck. Mark got free admission since he was in uniform. Giordano's Pizza was one block away for lunch. He was ready to come back by mid-afternoon and take another nap. The high point of my weekend was attending chapel on Sunday morning. We went to the Catholic Mass at 07:30. The Chaplain was very upbeat and had a tribute to departing sailors at the end of the service. I got to see Mark and his shipmates express their enthusiasm and dedication for the Navy, shouting “always ready” and “hooah” when prompted. My son has matured more in the last 8 weeks than he has in the last 8 years. It has been an experience I will never forget, and one that I am glad I did not miss.

Comment by Edward Davis on October 7, 2009 at 2:57pm

I got another letter he seems very upbeat says their about to start hell week so he's preparing for that (preparing that's funny coming from him) said he's sorry his mom missed his call but that i need to hear from him more anyway. LOL! And he's right to bad they couldn't get him when he was fifthteen and knew everything lol! But i can't wait to see him i hope i don't loose it and embarrass him. Has anyone stayed at the residence inn if so are there any restaurants close by?

Comment by John Neeley on October 3, 2009 at 8:21pm

Raul - Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for. I think we'll try to mirror your trip. I found a place in Gurnee,The Backyard Steak Pit, that he was excited about going to before he left home. I wonder if Jimmy's Charhouse is better or what? I'll have to study this for the next week or so.
Maybe one restaurant on Friday evening and one on Saturday evening? I'm good with that idea.
Have a safe trip back to PA.

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