This site is for mothers of kids in the U.S. Navy and for Moms who have questions about Navy life for their kids.

FIRST TIME HERE?

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET STARTED:

Choose your Username.  For the privacy and safety of you and/or your sailor, NO LAST NAMES ARE ALLOWED, even if your last name differs from that of your sailor (please make sure your URL address does not include your last name either).  Also, please do not include your email address in your user name. Go to "Settings" above to set your Username.  While there, complete your Profile so you can post and share photos and videos of your Sailor and share stories with other moms!

Make sure to read our Community Guidelines and this Navy Operations Security (OPSEC) checklist - loose lips sink ships!

Join groups!  Browse for groups for your PIR date, your sailor's occupational specialty, "A" school, assigned ship, homeport city, your own city or state, and a myriad of other interests. Jump in and introduce yourself!  Start making friends that can last a lifetime.

Link to Navy Speak - Navy Terms & Acronyms: Navy Speak

All Hands Magazine's full length documentary "Making a Sailor": This video follows four recruits through Boot Camp in the spring of 2018 who were assigned to DIV 229, an integrated division, which had PIR on 05/25/2018. 

Boot Camp: Making a Sailor (Full Length Documentary - 2018)

Boot Camp: Behind the Scenes at RTC

...and visit Navy.com - America's Navy and Navy.mil also Navy Live - The Official Blog of the Navy to learn more.

OPSEC - Navy Operations Security

Always keep Navy Operations Security in mind.  In the Navy, it's essential to remember that "loose lips sink ships."  OPSEC is everyone's responsibility. 

DON'T post critical information including future destinations or ports of call; future operations, exercises or missions; deployment or homecoming dates.  

DO be smart, use your head, always think OPSEC when using texts, email, phone, and social media, and watch this video: "Importance of Navy OPSEC."

Follow this link for OPSEC Guidelines:

OPSEC GUIDELINES

Events

**UPDATE 4/26/2022** Effective with the May 6, 2022 PIR 4 guests will be allowed.  Still must be fully vaccinated to attend.

**UPDATE as of 11/10/2022 PIR vaccination is no longer required.

**UPDATE 7/29/2021** You now must be fully vaccinated in order to attend PIR:

In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose).  

FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR UP TO DATE INFO:

RTC Graduation

**UPDATE 8/25/2022 - MASK MANDATE IS LIFTED.  Vaccinations still required.

**UPDATE 11/10/22 PIR - Vaccinations no longer required.

RESUMING LIVE PIR - 8/13/2021

Please note! Changes to this guide happened in October 2017. Tickets are now issued for all guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter base. A separate parking pass is no longer needed to drive on to base for parking.

Please see changes to attending PIR in the PAGES column. The PAGES are located under the member icons on the right side.

Format Downloads:

Latest Activity

Navy Speak

Click here to learn common Navy terms and acronyms!  (Hint:  When you can speak an entire sentence using only acronyms and one verb, you're truly a Navy mom.)

N4M Merchandise


Shirts, caps, mugs and more can be found at CafePress.

Please note: Profits generated in the production of this merchandise are not being awarded to the Navy or any of its suppliers. Any profit made is retained by CafePress.

Navy.com Para Familias

Visite esta página para explorar en su idioma las oportunidades de educación y carreras para sus hijos en el Navy. Navy.com

Badge

Loading…

I just wanted to take a moment to share my experience while it was still fresh in my mind, so I am writing here to help and give some free advice!

My son just went through his PIR, and I don't know what I would have done without this site! There is a wealth of information here. So even if you don't contribute, read it and take what you want from it. You will be ahead of the game just from observing. Sometimes your SR will not have all the info, or maybe even incorrect info. Here you can know exactly what's going on-this site will help!

I was a basket case when my son left. This site added comfort, and gave me real answers to what was going on and what he was going through. I missed the 1st phone call they were allowed and it about killed me. If you check in on the comments in your DIV, moms are very good at posting that they got a call, or posting which DIV is calling. So you can have a heads up then.

Most calls are short, and they are exhausted. In the excitement, you may not remember things you want to ask. This may sound silly, but make a list of questions. It helps! I also sent a few letters that he just had to circle "yes" or "no" because they don't have a lot of time to write. My sailor told me one thing that really helped him was the letters. I wrote almost everyday. It helped me, too. I felt close to him by writing. I would type out all the football scores for him. Oh, make sure the envelope is not thick. They can get in trouble for that. I also sent a self addressed stamped manilla envelope for him to mail back all the letter he got. They only have so much room in their bunk area.

If you can, be sure to go to the meet and greet that Sarge hosts. Its a nice buffet dinner and you can meet the moms you have gotten so close to. Its the night before PIR.

My daughter and I stayed at the Waukegan Marriott. I highly recommend it! The staff caters to military and are very welcoming and friendly! It was $99 a night. It might be out of your budget, but it was well worth it. They are close to base (10 mins? or less) and very easy to find. Close to eating areas, and they have an indoor pool and hot tub.

For PIR we took the hotel shuttle. We had a car there, but this is MUCH easier. We took the 1st shuttle at 6 am and as we drove up, the line of cars was a good 3-4 miles! The shuttle by-passes all that and takes you straight to the gate. It was $6.

If you drive they search your car. If they play Taps you have to pull over. For me, it was the right choice to shuttle. We waited outside the gate for 5-10 minutes, and yes-it was very very cold! They let us in the gate, we showed them our ID's and were directed inside.

It was recommended to sit in the balcony to watch PIR. But we sat on the floor-3rd row bleachers and it was perfect! The bleachers are metal, and they don't heat the room too much, so plan accordingly. You can take arena seats in. My son was a flag carrier and in the front row so we were right in front of him. Let your SR know how you plan on meeting him after the ceremony. Either you stay put or tell him/her to stay put. There are a lot of people there!

After PIR we went out to eat. Anastasias was next to the hotel so we went there. He had a great steak. They give you a ton of food and reasonably priced. We went to the movies and he fell asleep. It was his idea... so keep these things in mind. I would have recommended just hanging out at the hotel looking back now because he was so tired!

We were their for Thanksgiving and went to a place called Lovell's. It was highly recommended, and worth it! A former Naval astronaut (look it up!) owns it and your SR eats for free! Beautiful place, just 10 mins from the hotel.

So, if your SR is flying out, and flying out from Midway, I can tell you that you can go all the way inside the airport, up to the gate with him. I believe it was true for O'Hare also. Lots of misinformation about this and the moms were burning up the comments with questions that night/early morning about it.

The RDC tells your SR to have their parents call the airlines to get a boarding pass. I did. They cannot do that over the phone. So don't waste your time. This is what happens... you take your now Sailor back to base. They are bused to the airport. You will know ahead of time what airlines, flight and what time the bus is leaving base. You park in short term parking. We were there from 2 am to 6 am and it was $10.

After you park, enter the airport. We entered right where the baggage carousel is and saw a sea of Navy blue sailors. They were tagging their gear, getting stuff ready to go. Once they are all checked in there, we got a drink and hung out for awhile. Then they all headed upstairs for airline/baggage check in. All the parents follow behind the group of sailors.The USO representative was very nice and helpful. She was there at 2 am the night after Thanksgiving!

So, now you wait for your sailor to get checked in at the ticket counter. You then stand in a special line, which you will be directed to, with your sailor, to get your boarding pass. Have your ID handy and they print out the pass and you can be on your way with your sailor then. You will go through security, all that.

We spent as much time with him as we could, so that meant camping out at the airport from 2 am to 6 am. It was a nice time, actually and fun to meet his bunkmates and hear the stories. Take lots of pictures, even there, because its just a nice finish.

They have a backpack to carry on the plane, so I brought his laptop w charger, tide wipes, lint brush, snack for plane, and cell phone w charger to take with him on the flight. They can have a cell and laptop then, and it was cheaper to give it to him there instead of shipping it and worrying about damaging his laptop. And they are sooooo happy to have cell phones again!

I brought another sailor his cell phone because his mom had to leave earlier and would not be able to get it to him. He was so grateful for that, and really-it was no trouble. So, be aware of these kind of situations. Some sailors did not have anyone to see them off and were happy to hang out with us.

The time went by so fast, the next thing I knew he was boarding the plane! I could not stop the tears, but its much easier now that he is at A School. We have talked several times and texted. I am a much happier momma with that!

I am so proud of him. Its an adjustment, but a good one. He is so happy, proud and good with his decision. I hope this helps some of you on this journey. I don't have all the answers, but someone here will be able to tell you. Just ask!  

I wish you all the very best and hope this helps! Bravo Zulu!    

Views: 1578

Replies to This Discussion

TJsMom SHIP 03 DIV 021; WOW... thank you so much for ALL this information......so informative!! Really appreciate you sharing!!  I read this @ least 3 times :-)

I was planning to take the rental car to PIR... after reading your comments, I think I changed my mind.

My PIR is Dec 13... next week...woo hoo!!  My son will then be going to San Antonio for Corpsman "A" School.

Couple of questions for you:

- when the PIR ceremonies is over, can we take our SR then and hang out with them for the day? What time was curfew for them to be back on base?

- while the SR's (Sailors) are waiting to be bused to the airport, I hear we can hang out w/them on base? Did you do that and follow the bus to the airport?

- do the Sailors stay in uniform after PIR ceremonies or can they change into civilian clothing while we have them for the day?  I'm trying to figure out if I pack him clothes etc for that day.

Congratulations to your son & YOU!!

I'm not TJ's Mom, but I'll answer and she can comment as well.

- when the PIR ceremonies is over, can we take our SR then and hang out with them for the day? What time was curfew for them to be back on base?

Yes, you can leave from the Drill Hall unless your Sailor has to return to the ship for some reason after PIR. You can leave the RTC, but must remain within 50 miles of the RTC. The muster time may be different for your Sailor than it was for hers. Most have to be back sometime around 8 or 9, so they need to be returned by 7:30 or 8:30. Your Sailor will know when to be back.

- while the SR's (Sailors) are waiting to be bused to the airport, I hear we can hang out w/them on base? Did you do that and follow the bus to the airport?

No, you cannot hang out at the RTC after your Sailor returns to the RTC following Liberty before being bused to the airport. Meet your Sailor at the airport.

- do the Sailors stay in uniform after PIR ceremonies or can they change into civilian clothing while we have them for the day?  I'm trying to figure out if I pack him clothes etc for that day.

Sailors must remain in uniform while on Liberty after PIR. Some have been able to get away with changing into comfortable clothes in the hotel room, but he must remain in the hotel room and not even go into the hall while in civilian clothes.

Check out PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

lemonelephant; Thank for replying... much appreciated!!

You are very welcome.

Thanks for posting. I have added a link to this discussion in PIR Day and Liberty During PIR Weekend.

TJsMom,

Thanks for taking the time to write about your experiences.  Your post answers so many questions for me.

TJ moms -

Thank you so much for this HUGE in site, and sharing yours and your familys experience. 

My family and I will be up for our son's PIR - Thanksgiving week.  I have been diligently doing my homework with attempting to explore the area via internet, in hopes to get some realistic ideas for a place to stay, and share a Thanksgiving meal together.  Lovells sounds nice.  

Did you book your hotel via on line to get that rate or calling is better, and recommended? I have looked on line, and the rates have increased for that hotel.  

I love the idea of meeting our son at the airport, to talk and learn more abou this experiences. It has been a sad experience through out my younger years with "goodbyes" - They are really hard for me.  I really don't know I am capable of keeping my emotions under control.  I know I would end up into tears as well.  I will have to determine that later...

Thanks again for sharing!

   

Remember, you won't know when PIR is for sure until the form letter arrives. Yes, it is very likely that PIR will be Thanksgiving week, but since he arrives at the end of the week it could be the week after, which does happen for some at times, but if he has PIR the week after, he should qualify for the Thanksgiving Adopt a Sailor program.

Yes, we anticipate that letter to finally arrive.  I didn't realize that a Wednesday would be considered closer to the end of a week. We are trying to remain as flexible, as possible.   

What is Thanksgiving Adopt a Sailor Program?  I haven't read or come across anything about that yet. 

Thanks for the in site.

See the info under Adopt-A-Sailor Program: in What does ??? mean? (A Guide to Navy Abbreviations and Terminology).

Recruits only ship to the RTC on Monday through Thursday (some arriving in the wee hours of Friday), so you have those arriving in the first half of the week who may have PIR in 8 or 9 Fridays and those arriving in the second half of the week who may have PIR in 9 or 10 Fridays.

This was SO HELPFUL! Thank you for sharing.

This is an awesome amount of information! Thank You! Is there a limit as to how many people can follow them with boarding passes? There will be 4 of us plus him. His PIR should be around Thanksgiving as it sounds as though yours was. Waiting to see exactly when. He leaves on Oct 1st

RSS

© 2024   Created by Navy for Moms Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service