I just found out we have two hours after graduation

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Permalink Reply by Tammi on September 17, 2008 at 6:37am

Hi Carol,
Im sorry that im not much help, because i havent even heard from my son, so i dont know how much time we will have with him? I missed his first and so far only phone call, and he keeps writing and saying that he hasnt recieved any mail yet and it has been a month!!! Im so in the dark about everything ! Hopefully your page will help me .Anyway have a great day. tammi

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Permalink Reply by Lisa in Michigan on September 17, 2008 at 7:23am

Oh my N4Ms friends. This thread breaks my heart. The not knowing how much time you have with your sailor is upsetting. The boyfriend or girlfriend taking up some of that precious time is painful. I can only offer you this advice. Remember you are going to see something that will stay in your mind and heart forever. PIR is the most awesome ceremony you will ever see. No one can take that part away from you. After the ceremony, try not to think of how much time your have, just enjoy whatever time you do have with your new sailor. And remember, once they get to their A-school, they will call more often and that rock in the pit of your stomach will go away because you will no longer feel like all contact has been cut off. Make sure they get a cell phone once they get to A-school even if it is just a prepaid. Just having that phone number so you can call anytime and leave a "call mom" message is a blessing. After PIR, the "blackout period" is over. Relax, enjoy the ceremony, hug your sailor, and smile because just being there is the purest form of love between a mother and her sailor.

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Permalink Reply by Kate on September 17, 2008 at 7:31am

Carol J,
Our sailor was a "grad and go" when he graduated boot camp. We also knew before that we would only have a short visit with him. The only issue we had, was after liberty was called at graduation, everyone spilled out from the seats to find their sailors, it took us a good 5 minutes to find Ken. Then we walked over to the Nex, sat for a few minutes and then he had to go. We got to spend an hour and 20 minutes with him and then he had to return to his barracks and prepare to fly to Pensacola.
Best of luck to your sailor. Take care.
Kate

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on September 17, 2008 at 9:53am

It does mean she is grad 'n go however they won't know their orders (flights) until the day before PIR. Alot of it comes down to will she be staying in GL - even those sailors are getting grad 'n go which simply means they have to move to the other side of the base that day but then they receive liberty.

Where is your daughter heading for A school? You can go to the airport and wait with her, sometimes they take them over a few hours before then need to be there but they must ride on the bus with the others.

My sister ran into the same thing with her son - she got 10 minutes with him after the PIR and was able to go back to her hotel and cancel the room for the rest of the weekend. Most hotels in the area understand the grad ' n go situation and have a fair cancellation policy.

Don't know how far you are coming from - you may want to see the Chicago sites still.

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Permalink Reply by Christine on September 17, 2008 at 2:53pm

i will be interested to know the answer. my son left this week and he is going to A school at Great Lakes. They usually graduate on a Friday don't they?

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on September 17, 2008 at 7:35pm

Graduations are always on Fridays, unless it is a holiday week.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Bowling on September 17, 2008 at 4:31pm

My daughter graduates oct 31 and we also booked for the whole weekend so I hope we get more than 2 hours
Mary

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Permalink Reply by Elaine on September 17, 2008 at 11:28pm

My son was Grad and Go on Aug 1st, He had to be at the airport by 1 that same day but his flight didn't leave until 8pm that night so we went to the airport and spent all that time with him, but you cannot drive him but you can meet him there..But to get to the terminal you will have to go and get a special boarding pass, make sure everyone has their id's..It make take about a hour in line but it's well worth it..His flight changed terminal's 3 times..Make sure you wear comfy shoes to O'Hara airport, you will be walking alot...Good Luck !!!

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Permalink Reply by Karen Tessier on September 18, 2008 at 1:55pm

Carol,

My daughter graduates September 26th and she stated we have the entire weekend with her. I am not sure when we can pick her up in the morning of the 27th but she has to be in and in bed by 10pm. After graduation I am not sure when my daughter can come with us, if it is right away or not but I do know we can see her after that. She doesn't leave for more training until that sunday. I do know that my daughter's plans of how long she is to be gone keeps changing so maybe that will is the same with your daughter. We have a close realtionship with the recruiter. Maybe your recruiter can tell you some info?

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Permalink Reply by CarolJ * Courtney's Mom * on September 18, 2008 at 2:40pm

Hello all and thanks for all the great advice and comments!!
In searching this forum and with all the phone calls that came yesterday from our kids I'm beginning to wonder if they all aren't told "2 hour that's it" not to get thier hopes up or somehting like that. I really don't have a clue and her recruiter said he wasn't sure either due to the fact that she might change jobs. SO who knows... I'm just gonna take what I get and be happy !! :) We have reservations thru Monday and I am not changing them.
After hearin g her voice I don't care if I get 10 minutes or two days- I'm there!! Hail,sleet,snow,rain,floods, RDC'S, chiefs, No one will keep me from seeing my babygirl!!
( :) granted they might put a time limit on it. heehee:) )

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Permalink Reply by Mary, Proud Mom of Nick on September 18, 2008 at 2:51pm

That's right - go, treasure the PIR and hope for the best!

IF she stays in GL for school - it is a safe bet that you will get to spend the weekend with her. If she flys out - it depends on when they actually send them.

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Permalink Reply by Nan (Anthony's Mom) on September 18, 2008 at 2:45pm

My son just PIR's on 9-12 and was grad-n-go for GL. We got to see him right after the ceremony for about 20 minutes and then he had to go pack and do his paperwork. He called us about 4 to find out the name of the hotel we were at and then we went and picked him up at the base. He did get to spend the entore weekend at the hotel with us, sleeping over and all and had to check in by a phone call each night to the base. He needed to be back at his barracks by 9Pm Sunday night--VERY hard saying goodbye again!!! But this time he got to keep his cell phone and some civilian clothes we brought down with us for him to hang out in in the hotel. Hope this helps!!

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