Our PIR experience - (sorry its long)
First of all congratulations to all the sailors and their accomplishment and to all the families who support them. It was an awesome experience for us. Very emotional. Very amazing. We just got back and wish we could have stayed longer with our son. If anyone is not sure about going to this, YOU MUST GO. Do whatever it takes to go to PIR. You will never regret it. We are very proud as are all the other moms and dads. These are the sons and daughters that will protect our nation and it’s freedom.
So since we just got back from our whirlwind trip to our son’s graduation and while it is still fresh in our minds, we wanted to input a few thoughts to make your experience a little better.
-Shuttle or drive in.
We know there are many varied opinions about this and we had intended to drive onto the base, based on this forum. BUT - since our travel day from the west coast was very long and we had to fight horrible traffic Thursday afternoon from Midway airport to get up to Waukegan where we were staying ( nearly 3 hours to go 45 miles), our party of 4 decided to take the free hotel shuttle. Best decision we made. Your mileage may vary but having someone else drive after a long day of stressful travel and driving, we were ready to let someone else do the work. We got to the base at 7:30am by shuttle and after security checkin, we were in the hall in the stands by 8:10am. We had time after it was over to go the NEX, get some shirts and putt around with his shipmates and their families until our shuttle picked us up at 11:30am. It worked out great.
- Take a seat cushion to sit on!
Those aluminum bleachers are hard on the old derriere. I read somewhere about this and forgot to take one.
- Bringing back to base
Make sure you have your car pass and you can pull right into the base with your sailor when returning them each evening. They just check each person’s id in the vehicle and your good to go.
- Respect the ceremony.
I’m sorry to bring this up but when the announcer specifically asks that you hold your applause and cheers until they go through what I think was the list of divisions and certain honor graduates, I don’t get why some don’t listen. We are wanting to hear what they are saying and then you have some who have to interrupt with noise and cheers when they were just told to be quiet and wait until they are done announcing to cheer. So you have to have some patience. Also, we sat by some who decided to carry on a loud conversation with each other during the ceremony and finally about halfway through my wife turned and gave them “the look” that told them to be quiet, and they stopped.
Sorry to be so long but overall it was an awesome experience. We are grateful to this web site as it helped us so much to understand what families go through when their sons or daughters are in bootcamp and what to expect at PIR. May your experience be as blessed as ours.
So since we just got back from our whirlwind trip to our son’s graduation and while it is still fresh in our minds, we wanted to input a few thoughts to make your experience a little better.
-Shuttle or drive in.
We know there are many varied opinions about this and we had intended to drive onto the base, based on this forum. BUT - since our travel day from the west coast was very long and we had to fight horrible traffic Thursday afternoon from Midway airport to get up to Waukegan where we were staying ( nearly 3 hours to go 45 miles), our party of 4 decided to take the free hotel shuttle. Best decision we made. Your mileage may vary but having someone else drive after a long day of stressful travel and driving, we were ready to let someone else do the work. We got to the base at 7:30am by shuttle and after security checkin, we were in the hall in the stands by 8:10am. We had time after it was over to go the NEX, get some shirts and putt around with his shipmates and their families until our shuttle picked us up at 11:30am. It worked out great.
- Take a seat cushion to sit on!
Those aluminum bleachers are hard on the old derriere. I read somewhere about this and forgot to take one.
- Bringing back to base
Make sure you have your car pass and you can pull right into the base with your sailor when returning them each evening. They just check each person’s id in the vehicle and your good to go.
- Respect the ceremony.
I’m sorry to bring this up but when the announcer specifically asks that you hold your applause and cheers until they go through what I think was the list of divisions and certain honor graduates, I don’t get why some don’t listen. We are wanting to hear what they are saying and then you have some who have to interrupt with noise and cheers when they were just told to be quiet and wait until they are done announcing to cheer. So you have to have some patience. Also, we sat by some who decided to carry on a loud conversation with each other during the ceremony and finally about halfway through my wife turned and gave them “the look” that told them to be quiet, and they stopped.
Sorry to be so long but overall it was an awesome experience. We are grateful to this web site as it helped us so much to understand what families go through when their sons or daughters are in bootcamp and what to expect at PIR. May your experience be as blessed as ours.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Kelly on -
Thank you for the input. Since I've never been to one this is a great help. Congratulations to your family.
-
Permalink Reply by Beth B. Smith on -
Thanks, every bit of info is great!
-
Permalink Reply by Melissa T. on -
Thanks, can't wait til Friday.
-
Permalink Reply by Jacque in Phoenix on
-
I will also be there Friday 6/13. So excited.
-
Permalink Reply by Bob&Candi on -
That was right about the cheers. Oh well. We also could have sat there all day also. . We got water in the building where we checked in with our names. There is a vending machine as your going out that door of the building where they checked our id. It was $1 per water.
-
Permalink Reply by Tamie (mom of Michael) on -
Is there places mark for your div.? or do you just find a seat and set down
-
Permalink Reply by Bob&Candi on
-
They have a sign with your division number in front of the bleacher stands. That is about where your sailor will be standing with their division. Don't worry.
-
Permalink Reply by Sherri Burkard on -
thank you thank you thank you!!! we had been debating on whether to drive in or take the shuttle, we were concerned about the walking , my step dad has a very bad foot, if taking the shuttle will we be ok is there a long walk? we leave on the 26th-i can't wait-someone said what about the price of gas-I DON'T CARE!!! I AM NOT MISSING THIS!!!:)
-
Permalink Reply by Bob&Candi on
-
If you take a shuttle, you will walk a little more than if you drive your car in. Don't get me wrong, there is some walking. But its not too bad. If you shuttle, you will have to walk back to where the checkin building is. And then walk with everyone else to the ceremony hall.
-
Permalink Reply by Darla Frandrup on -
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We'll be there for the July 25th PIR. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! Thanks for all of the great advice, and congratulations to you!
-
Permalink Reply by Proud Navy Mom on -
Hi, Darla. My son is also PIR July 25. What div & ship is your sailor? Did you say that you're staying @ Navy Lodge? We made reservations for there, for 4 nights - Thurs thru Mon. Keep in touch, Chris from Missouri mentioned a meet and greet for Thurs eve. Let's see what happens. Good luck w/your sailor, I pray for our children every day.
First Time Here?
Before you get started, make sure to read over our Community Guidelines.
Create a profile so you can post Photos and Videos of your son or daughter and share stories with other moms.
If you’re looking for specific answers or just someone to talk with one-on-one, browse the Forums or search Members profiles.
Create a profile so you can post Photos and Videos of your son or daughter and share stories with other moms.
If you’re looking for specific answers or just someone to talk with one-on-one, browse the Forums or search Members profiles.
Navy Speak
See this PDF for Navy Speak
N4M Merchandise
printfection
cafepress
zazzle
**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, zazzle, or printfection
cafepress
zazzle
**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, zazzle, or printfection
Badge
Events
-
A BLUE CANDLE LIGHTING....
May 11, 2009 to April 25, 2010 – YOUR HOME,,,,,ANY PLACE, ANYWHERE ANY TIME,,,
-
N4M Meet and Greet
October 5, 2009 at 7pm to March 1, 2010 at 8:45pm – Stillwater Public Library - Room 138
-
GRADUATION DAY!!!!
November 24, 2009 at 9am to November 27, 2009 at 7pm – GREATLAKES, IL
-
R.I. Navy Moms
November 28, 2009 from 11am to 12pm – Cracker Barrel, Coventry, RI
-
Lunch/Shopping Texas Mom's/ Old Town Spring
December 5, 2009 from 11am to 5pm – Meet at Cheddars for Lunch/then shop in Old Town Spring
-
December 5, 2009 Ohio N4M Lunch - Sweet Mango
December 5, 2009 from 12pm to 2pm – Sweet Mango
-
South Florida moms Meet N Greet
December 5, 2009 from 12pm to 2pm – Brio Tuscan Grill
-
Northern California Meet & Greet - Sacramento
December 6, 2009 from 12pm to 3pm – Sacramento (South Sacramento/Elk Grove Area)
-
Holiday Lunch
December 12, 2009 from 11am to 2pm – Bahama Breeze
-
Northern California Meet and Greet
December 12, 2009 from 4pm to 8pm – The Ravenstad's
© 2009 Created by Navy for Moms Admin | Community Guidelines
