PIR Guests

[Deborah Lopez]

I am a little confused. I keep reading on your website that if there are 13 divisions graduating, the recruits can only have 3 guests at PIR.  I checked and it says there will be 13 divisions graduating on Aug. 9th. That's when my son graduates.   He has 4 names on his list. Does this mean one of the people listed can not attend?  At this point, one person on his list is unable to go anyways but my brother wanted to take that slot instead.  Is it going to be a problem to change the name now? Also, are we even going to be able to add his name if he can not have 4 guests?  Any clarification would be very much appreciated.

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

check this link http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp and you can see how many guests are allowed for your son's PIR.  You cannot change anything about the names on the guest list.....only your son can add names or change names

[Deborah Lopez]

Yes sir, I checked that website and it says he is only allowed 3 guests. Does that mean the first form letter we got from him with 4 names on it is incorrect? I wrote my son a letter and asked him to add his uncle's name and take the other person off the list. But that won't help if he is only allowed 3 guests. If my brother's name is on the list, will he be allowed to attend or ....can only 3 out of the 4 attend? Sorry if I'm not making myself clear? I'm just so excited to be able to attend and want everything to go off without any hitches... Thanks again

[Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom]

Deborah...Smaller Graduations allow for 4 guests per SR. Thirteen Divisions is a "Gradzilla"....so each SR will have to trim his list to only 3 so that everyone can fit into the hall. The 4th person that you wish to add will not be able to get into PIR...

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

this is posted on RTC's Facebook page about PIR the following week....mistakes are made....

For those of you with a recruit in TG 40, which will have PIR on 08/16/2013, form letters went out that mistakenly indicate that the recruits will be permitted 4 guests at PIR; that is incorrect. There are 13 divisions in TG 40 and the recruits will only be able to place 3 names on the Access List. Write to your recruit with the names of the 3 people who should be listed. Any others will need to stay at the hotel and watch the live stream of PIR at http://www.livestream.com/usnavyrtc. See http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/upcoming_grads.asp. This has happened before and some were not permitted to enter even though they had been listed on the form letter, so coordinate with your recruit and know who will be listed.

[Deborah Lopez]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful information about the guest list. I just wanted to be sure before making any concrete plans. That is one problem solved. Now I am just trying to convince my daughter to book a hotel for me close to the base rather than in Chicago where she and my son-in-law will be staying with friends? I have been reading all the posts about the long lines and traffic congestion getting to the PIR. I am afraid if anything goes wrong, we could miss the ceremony. They think if we get to the base at 8:00 am, we will have plenty of time to get to the hall and find a seat befor the PIR starts. Has anyone driven to the PIR from Chicago the morning of the ceremony? If so how much time should you allow for driving, checking into the base, parking, finding a seat and so on? Thanks for any advise....Worried Mom

[NavyDads Admin (Paul)]

I'd worry about that.....I know tons of folks that try to get in really early, especially for large PIRs....the drill hall is not that big and it fills up fast when you have a lot of divisions graduating.  Moreover, Chicago traffic SUX.............know that at 8:45 am that all guests must be seated. Ceremonial drill hall doors close, no further entry for guests will be allowed. It is not a case of simply parking and walking into the drill hall.....you've got security checkpoints and ID verification....this is a military base you are on. Wise move to get close to RTC rather than miles and miles away.....you may want to contact Sarge http://www.navydads.com/profile/JohnSpadaro  for transportation arrangements.