Graduation Day

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Permalink Reply by VeryProudNavyMom on March 4, 2008 at 3:56pm

You would want to get to the gates early, you will not know how big the class is that is going to PIR....they will guide you from there.

Enjoy the graduation.
K

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Permalink Reply by Elaine on March 4, 2008 at 4:16pm

Thank you so much!!!! I can't wait!

Elaine

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Permalink Reply by KC on March 4, 2008 at 9:35pm

Elaine - another mom on this site mentioned that she got to the gate area at 7 am and got seated at 8 am. Huge line. She said there were only two of them, not a whole extended family to seat, and they were seated about 3 rows back. I was wondering the same thing so I asked in some other forum.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Gallagher on March 4, 2008 at 9:46pm

getting to the base early is needed it is a short walk from the parking lot to the parade hall. You will need a form of ID and stand in line to get checked in with your ID then take the walk to the hall. They do limit the seats to 4 per sailor, although I have heard that some get additional seats, you will sit close and it is very packed. If you are lucky you get to be near the area that your child's group will be standing, although it really does not matter you can sit anyplace as it is almost impossible to determine who is who unless they are in the front row. you do want to be sure that you sit at the proper end of the hall as it is long. other than that you can see it all and they do have trinitrons to see it also. It is the most amazing thing you have ever seen I have had the ability to see it 2 times so far and will go again in May to see my last son graduate.

Watch them as they stand there and you will see people walking in between the rows of the sailors as they stand there. You will ask your self why is that person doing that? well I will tell you ...... it is that person's job to make sure they do not pass out!! as they stand there and most will lock their knees and after a time they will pass out and down they go,,,, you can see the ones that will pass out as they get white and then hit the deck. This is something that happens all the time and that is why they have the persons that shift in and out among the rows attempting to catch them before they go down.

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Permalink Reply by KC on March 4, 2008 at 10:04pm

Karen - thank you so much for the details. I have watched a few of the graduation videos posted on You Tube and I did wonder why there were people walking in and out between the rows.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Flynn on March 8, 2008 at 2:03pm

What causes them to pass out ?

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Permalink Reply by Frieda on March 8, 2008 at 11:00pm

Why are they passing out? Is it to warm in there, how long is the ceremony? You also mentioned if your are lucky you get to be near the area that your childs group will be standing. How will I know which area he will be standing in, sorry for so many questions, I am very new to this, and I appreciate any info you can give.

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Permalink Reply by Donna on March 22, 2008 at 9:55pm

Each area is marked but div. and ship. If you sit in your son/daughter section you will be near them. Finding them may be a little more difficult. I'm sorry to say but they all look alike. As far as passing out. When you lock your knees your circulation is resticted. Some people pass out. They have sailors walking around them all the time in hopes to provent this.

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Permalink Reply by kathy on March 18, 2008 at 5:43pm

If they stand and lock their knees they tend to pass out. They are standing in one place for quite awhile and I didn't notice anyone shifting their weight or moving at all.

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Permalink Reply by Susan on March 18, 2008 at 7:01pm

I can't say that locking your knees is the cause to passing out but it can certainly contribute to it. Add to it the "high" these new sailors are in at their achievement and the previous sleep deprivation and you probably have the potential for "passing out." After "Googling" the "locked knees-passing out" question, I could find no medical reason, go figure - because I have seen it happen. I think it's a combination of things.

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Permalink Reply by LynnDear on March 18, 2008 at 7:16pm

They have to stand for almost 90 minutes without moving. It isn't a matter of passing out as much as losing all feeling in their legs and they fall. It happens every graduation to some. I think they should do a jig every 15 minutes humming the theme to Pop eye .

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Permalink Reply by Molly mom of 2 + 330,701 sailors on March 19, 2008 at 8:06am

They call those guys who walk up and down watching for the recruits who pass out Body Snatchers. LOL

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