Graduation on March 25

First off, the PIR is fantastic! My biggest suggestion is that you do not try to video the ceremony, instead purchase the DVD offered by the NEX of the ceremony. Do take a small camera so that you can have personal experience photos for yourself, but with a video camera you waste more time looking into the view finder than at the actual ceremony. We drove on 3/9 and got there on 3/10 from the middle part of Pennsylvania. We took long enough breaks so that we did not have to go thru Chicago rush hour in the AM. Just make sure that if you drive you get the base pass. This will help if you want to get back on base at the main gate at Buckley Rd and Illinois St. For the graduation ceremony, you will pass the main gate and take your next right on OHIO ST where gate 8 is located. From there just follow the oth cars to the base parking deck. But start out early, and get there as close to 6:30 AM as possible, that is when gate 8 will open. We drove the route the night before PIR because the hotel we stayed at didn't provide a lot of info, and the information we read online for RTC was kind of vague. Also make sure everyone has proper ID, your car has proper insurance and registration cards. As far as luggage, the PIR is inside and it did get a bit warm after 3 hours. Depending on when your sailor leaves, grad and go, or a school on base, will also determine how much liberty he will have. My son had only 3/11, and on 3/12 at 2:30 AM they were bused to Chicago Ohare. Just remember this, if you leave base after graduation, you can get back on with the base pass at the main gate.

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Dave DeWald March 16, 2011 at 6:47pm

First off, the PIR is fantastic! My biggest suggestion is that you do not try to video the ceremony, instead purchase the DVD offered by the NEX of the ceremony. Do take a small camera so that you can have personal experience photos for yourself, but with a video camera you waste more time looking into the view finder than at the actual ceremony. We drove on 3/9 and got there on 3/10 from the middle part of Pennsylvania. We took long enough breaks so that we did not have to go thru Chicago rush hour in the AM. Just make sure that if you drive you get the base pass. This will help if you want to get back on base at the main gate at Buckley Rd and Illinois St. For the graduation ceremony, you will pass the main gate and take your next right on OHIO ST where gate 8 is located. From there just follow the oth cars to the base parking deck. But start out early, and get there as close to 6:30 AM as possible, that is when gate 8 will open. We drove the route the night before PIR because the hotel we stayed at didn't provide a lot of info, and the information we read online for RTC was kind of vague. Also make sure everyone has proper ID, your car has proper insurance and registration cards. As far as luggage, the PIR is inside and it did get a bit warm after 3 hours. Depending on when your sailor leaves, grad and go, or a school on base, will also determine how much liberty he will have. My son had only 3/11, and on 3/12 at 2:30 AM they were bused to Chicago Ohare. Just remember this, if you leave base after graduation, you can get back on with the base pass at the main gate.
Ray Norberto March 9, 2011 at 7:59pm

I second Paul's reply. The links on the PIR group are extremely helpful! Have you already booked your accommodations? The MWR brochure included in that first letter home at the beginning has great deals.
NavyDads Admin (Paul) March 9, 2011 at 4:09pm

check out the PIR group at the link: http://www.navydads.com/group/pirtipshintsandhelps

there are many pages of tips and suggestions in that group to make PIR easier and more enjoyable

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NAVY BOOT CAMP

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