PIR--Lessons learned- Long
Just returned from my son's PIR this past weekend. It was great to be able to attend!
Some things we thought we'd pass along. Your mileage may vary and these are our opinions only.
Navy Lodge ($62 a night, close to base):
- You do need a vehicle to get around (for the most part) or cash for taxis. Yes, you "could" walk from Navy Lodge, but it's a long walk and not one I'd like to make. Also, there are no restaurants within walking distance. One poor couple was told there was and didn't have a vehicle. Although some restaurants delivered, I wouldn't recommend it unless this would be the only way to attend PIR.
- Navy Lodge is ok, pretty common for Navy Lodge (we've stayed at more than a few). We did ask for rooms with kitchenettes, but didn't receive them, but we did get a frig and microwave. The rooms are clean but not fancy. No breakfast, so you do need to weigh that (and see #1). If you have a few in your party, it might make sense to get a room at a place with breakfast and pay a little more. Not extravagant by any means, so if you like a little nicer digs you'll want to look at one of the chains, but it's adequate, clean and close to the base.
- Jakes on Greenbay Dr. not far from the base is a good place for a chicago dog. They also have a very extensive menu, so everyone is bound to find something they like. It's casual. Uno's Chicago Grill in Gurnee near Gurnee Mall is a great place to get Chicago Deep Dish pizza. Yum.
- Metra is close by and an easy way to get into Chicago. You could drive, but there is construction and it can be irritating. We went to the Zoo in Lincoln Park, it's free but parking is at least $14. Well worth the visit. We didn't visit Navy Pier (lack of time) but it looked fun and was nearby.
Ceremony:
-Arrive at the base early on Friday morning. They started letting us in at 6:15. Have your ID ready and have your parking pass - ours was green. Keep this pass, we did have to show it one time when picking up N.
- Doors close at 8:45, so be there before this time. Seating was limited for late arrivals, so if you want a seat, get there early. They have videos that are intended to entertain you while you wait.
-Pictures allowed inside the hall only. They clear the hall out in 15 minutes, so if you want pictures there afterward, take them quickly inside, but not outside! :o)
- Seating is on bleachers unless you have a disability or need to be seated on the floor. If sitting on metal bleachers is an issue you may want to bring a cushion. They do have limited number of wheelchairs--if you need one tell the MAs as you pull in the parking lot and they will get one for you.
- Be aware that when you arrive there will be signs on the floor with the division number. We were told by one RDC that our son's division (the last division on the end) would be directly in front of the last set of bleachers. It wasn't. In fact it was in front of the bleachers next to us. We would have sat there if we knew.
-Before the ceremony there are t-shirts for each division available for purchase. They are $15 and feature the division's flag which they create. Very cool!
-Water and soda are also available for purchase, as are cute dixie cup hats and commemorative bricks.
(these next are somewhat blunt, please take them in the manner intended, as helpful ideas to make your visit pleasurable and allow others to enjoy the ceremony, too)
- Please use the rest room prior to the start of the ceremony. The ceremony is only a little over an hour but it's not only distracting to others to have people walk in front of them as they are trying to view the ceremony, it's also rude to those graduating and/or performing. Be considerate, please. The hand dryers in the rest rooms are VERY loud as are the flushing toilets and it's very difficult, if not impossible, to hear the ceremony over them.
-If you have very young children who aren't able to sit still for three hours, you may want to make other arrangements for them, tire them out before you are seated or be willing to take them out if they are fussy. While I love children, we found it very distracting and disappointing to have to listen to crying babies and cranky toddlers. Most children were very well behaved, but it only takes a couple to make it unpleasant for those around.
-If you are taking pictures you may want to sit about halfway up. There is an overhang that can make your pictures come out darker than you would prefer.
-Don't bother with gifts, they aren't able to take them back. This doesn't apply to grad-n-go's and may not apply to those staying in Great Lakes for school after boot, someone will have to clarify that, but N was not allowed to keep them. They also cannot take cell phones back to the ship.
-Bring Tide Sticks or Shout wipes if they are graduating in the spring or summer. Their whites get dirty easily!
Hope this was helpful. I'm sure there's so much more that we only scratched the surface.
Some things we thought we'd pass along. Your mileage may vary and these are our opinions only.
Navy Lodge ($62 a night, close to base):
- You do need a vehicle to get around (for the most part) or cash for taxis. Yes, you "could" walk from Navy Lodge, but it's a long walk and not one I'd like to make. Also, there are no restaurants within walking distance. One poor couple was told there was and didn't have a vehicle. Although some restaurants delivered, I wouldn't recommend it unless this would be the only way to attend PIR.
- Navy Lodge is ok, pretty common for Navy Lodge (we've stayed at more than a few). We did ask for rooms with kitchenettes, but didn't receive them, but we did get a frig and microwave. The rooms are clean but not fancy. No breakfast, so you do need to weigh that (and see #1). If you have a few in your party, it might make sense to get a room at a place with breakfast and pay a little more. Not extravagant by any means, so if you like a little nicer digs you'll want to look at one of the chains, but it's adequate, clean and close to the base.
- Jakes on Greenbay Dr. not far from the base is a good place for a chicago dog. They also have a very extensive menu, so everyone is bound to find something they like. It's casual. Uno's Chicago Grill in Gurnee near Gurnee Mall is a great place to get Chicago Deep Dish pizza. Yum.
- Metra is close by and an easy way to get into Chicago. You could drive, but there is construction and it can be irritating. We went to the Zoo in Lincoln Park, it's free but parking is at least $14. Well worth the visit. We didn't visit Navy Pier (lack of time) but it looked fun and was nearby.
Ceremony:
-Arrive at the base early on Friday morning. They started letting us in at 6:15. Have your ID ready and have your parking pass - ours was green. Keep this pass, we did have to show it one time when picking up N.
- Doors close at 8:45, so be there before this time. Seating was limited for late arrivals, so if you want a seat, get there early. They have videos that are intended to entertain you while you wait.
-Pictures allowed inside the hall only. They clear the hall out in 15 minutes, so if you want pictures there afterward, take them quickly inside, but not outside! :o)
- Seating is on bleachers unless you have a disability or need to be seated on the floor. If sitting on metal bleachers is an issue you may want to bring a cushion. They do have limited number of wheelchairs--if you need one tell the MAs as you pull in the parking lot and they will get one for you.
- Be aware that when you arrive there will be signs on the floor with the division number. We were told by one RDC that our son's division (the last division on the end) would be directly in front of the last set of bleachers. It wasn't. In fact it was in front of the bleachers next to us. We would have sat there if we knew.
-Before the ceremony there are t-shirts for each division available for purchase. They are $15 and feature the division's flag which they create. Very cool!
-Water and soda are also available for purchase, as are cute dixie cup hats and commemorative bricks.
(these next are somewhat blunt, please take them in the manner intended, as helpful ideas to make your visit pleasurable and allow others to enjoy the ceremony, too)
- Please use the rest room prior to the start of the ceremony. The ceremony is only a little over an hour but it's not only distracting to others to have people walk in front of them as they are trying to view the ceremony, it's also rude to those graduating and/or performing. Be considerate, please. The hand dryers in the rest rooms are VERY loud as are the flushing toilets and it's very difficult, if not impossible, to hear the ceremony over them.
-If you have very young children who aren't able to sit still for three hours, you may want to make other arrangements for them, tire them out before you are seated or be willing to take them out if they are fussy. While I love children, we found it very distracting and disappointing to have to listen to crying babies and cranky toddlers. Most children were very well behaved, but it only takes a couple to make it unpleasant for those around.
-If you are taking pictures you may want to sit about halfway up. There is an overhang that can make your pictures come out darker than you would prefer.
-Don't bother with gifts, they aren't able to take them back. This doesn't apply to grad-n-go's and may not apply to those staying in Great Lakes for school after boot, someone will have to clarify that, but N was not allowed to keep them. They also cannot take cell phones back to the ship.
-Bring Tide Sticks or Shout wipes if they are graduating in the spring or summer. Their whites get dirty easily!
Hope this was helpful. I'm sure there's so much more that we only scratched the surface.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Maureen on -
Thanks so much for sharing, as my sons PIR is 7/25! Did you buy the video from the NEX? Did you buy the division T-shirts at the PIR, or at the NEX, before the PIR, or in the PIR, or outside it? Thanks, M
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Permalink Reply by Carol (T's mom) on -
T-shirts. I'm glad I bought one for my sailor. When we were there, 2-8-08, they only took cash at that table. The table is in the PIR hall. They do run out so do that first.
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Permalink Reply by Achseh on -
I haven't bought the video yet, there are order forms. The video is $29 and you'll need a money order, no checks, made out to the NEX and it's by mail. I believe the form was in with the pictures and I also was able to pick up a copy at the Navy Lodge.
The division T-shirts are sold by the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) at the PIR ceremony. They have a table set up to the right as you come in. I am unsure if they have them later at the NEX. They sold out of my son's division so I'd hit up the table earlier than later to ensure the correct size. They take down the table before the ceremony.
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Permalink Reply by Mary on
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Hi,
We are staying at the Navy Lodge do you if there is a diner or restaurant close by for breakfast? We will have a car. We were just wondering if there was some place convenient? Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on -
There are numerous restaurants in the area that are easy to get to if you have a car. I would recommend Full Moon Cafe for breakfast one morning. Close to the base, big menu, big portions and good prices.
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Permalink Reply by Carrie on -
We also ate at the Full Moon. I would recommend it. The waitress that served us said that sometimes Michael Jordan comes in. There is also a steak house, Austin's, a few miles from the Navy lodge. We had wonderful service and the food was yummy!!
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Permalink Reply by Achseh on
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We ate at Ellens Pancake House (I think that's what it was called). Good breakfast, nice sized servings and good price. It's on GreenBay Road. There are a lot of places to eat on Greenbay Road and many more in Gurnee (which is less than 10 miles away).
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Permalink Reply by Vic on -
all very good points, achseh....let me ellaborate on the seating in the hall also.....when you walk into the hall, they have your son or daughters' division number on a pole where you assume that division will be standing after they enter the hall. So you automatically sit in the section directly in front of the pole with your division's number. My son's division actually was placed to the right of where we were sitting which gave us an angled type view of his whole division. But if you want to sit directily IN FRONT of your division, choose the bleacher section to the right of the numbered pole.
(in other words...we sat in front of Div. 201 marker...but we should have sat in front of marker 202)
Had I done that though, I would not have seen my son because he would have been obscured by the direct line of Sailors in front of him. If you have a Sailor that is upfront doing flags or is division leader, this might be of benefit to get directly in front.....but if your Sailor is lined up mid to back of his division, being at an angle is an advantage. Hope this made sense........... :))
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Permalink Reply by Joni Simmons on -
thanks for the info. How do I know whether my son is a division leader or upfront doing flags? I guess these are possibly questions for him in my next letter and/or (hopefully) phone call? Very helpful thank you!
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Permalink Reply by Vic on
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they usually can tell you in a letter or a phone call. Sometimes it's not as early as right before PIR. My son was neither...but I kept asking him where he would be marching in the group, and he kept telling me that he didn't know, because they lost and added recruits so often in his division that he kept being moved around in the format.
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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on
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Good reporting to the future PIR moms!
Grad 'N Go Sailors can only take what fits into their seabags so I would be cautious about taking much for them either. And if they have to go back to their ship before boarding the buses, they cannot take anything back to the ship. Gift cards have been a big hit for graduation gifts and can fit in their wallets.
Once the ceremony begins, they quit selling the drinks and merchandise. The t-shirts do sell out quickly so if you want any of these items you should go purchase them when you arrive at the hall.
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