Division 377

Definitely have them order the picture package as Marvin mentioned. And like Jim has said "The Keel" book. Basically it's like the equivalent of a high school yearbook but the RTC bootcamp version of course. You'll see a lot more pix of your SRs there and his/her division.

My son was left with no choice but to order the package cause he knew he'd get an ear full if he didn't heheh!

http://www.navydads.com/photo/the-keel?context=album&albumId=21...

part 1 of what I posted in 2010:

here is a bunch of info I found on the 'net about the photos and such:

Per the NEX Photo Lab at RTC on 7/27/10:

IF a recruit orders Pkg A for $140 while IN boot camp, the Cruisebook (known as
the Keel Yearbook) automatically comes with that package. IF a sailor or family
member decides AFTER PIR weekend to order
Pkg A, it does NOT come with it - and the price is not lowered due to this fact
either. Reason: The Keel book is like a bonus feature for those who order
early. Those who do not order Pkg A, but want a Cruisebook, can order one at
the time photos are taken for $30. Very important: If a recruit orders Pkg A
while in boot camp, but does not pay for it by PIR
day, the Keel book will NOT be included in their photo order.

There are two exceptions: #1 - IF a parent/sailor walks into the NEX photo lab
ON graduation day, they can order a Cruise book that day for $30 and #2 - IF a
sailor is still at RTC for those few days
after PIR, they have 5 days to walk in and
order the book. The lab will NOT accept requests by mail or by phone for this
book, even if you call or write within that 5 day period!

The reason for this is because they order the exact number of books that are
paid for one week after PIR. Unlike photo
re-orders that give you a year to re-order, you can never request a Keel
Cruisebook after the fact.

Also, he wanted me to remind everyone that prices do change, so even if you see
a post on N4M that states a photo costs "X" amount, that price could
change by the time your recruit orders their photos. They can change things
(like including the Keel book) at any time, but recruits will always know
exactly what they are paying for when they make their order and those orders
are safe from any changes that may go into effect later.

DVD's and VHS tapes of PIR
are mailed out to the address given by the recruit approximately 5-7 weeks
after PIR. The Cruisebook (Keel Yearbook)
arrives 8-10 weeks after PIR.

First, the recruit pays for these, either with a debit/credit card, or a check when they pick them up a few days before PIR. What I could not get confirmed
was whether they can deduct it from their wages, but several Moms have posted
that "yes", this can be done. Now... the parents/family can go in and
pay for them and pick them up on PIR day -
but you must be present to do that or have sent your recruit a check.

Pkg A is expensive, but it's your best deal at $140.00: It does NOT come with
the DVD of PIR,
that is ordered separately for $29 (includes the shipping). However, the large
pkg DOES include the Cruisebook, also known as the Keel Yearbook. It comes as a
"gift" for ordering and PAYING for Pkg A by PIR
date. If a recruit does not order Pkg A, they can order the Keel separately for
$30 (includes shipping). Here's the confusion though - IF a recruit decides
AFTER graduation that they want a Keel, it is too late, because the Photo Lab
submits their order to the printing company that week - and they only order the
exact number of books that have been PAID for. So, if you decide to order Pkg A
AFTER graduation, you will not get the Keel book as a bonus. Hope that makes sense!

Most recruits pick up their portraits a few days before PIR,
then right after the ceremony they run back to barracks to pick them up and
hand them to you.

part 2:

The DVD is mailed to the
address the recruit writes down and arrives 5-6 weeks after PIR
(got mine on time). The Keel is also mailed, but takes about 10 weeks to arrive
(should get ours by next week).

So, even though my son spent $174, it breaks down to this: Pkg A $140, DVD
$29, and $5 for a 5x7 of the "casual" Division picture. The large
11x17 formal Division picture is included in Pkg A. And remember, Keel book
(worth $30) is included if Pkg A is ordered and paid for by graduation day.

My suggestion is to write your recruit now and discuss what you want. My son
paid for his, so it was his choice - however I did surprise him by reimbursing
him on PIR day, which is something we chose
to do. We did not buy him a graduation gift, our thought was "our present
is our presence", it cost a small fortune to go to Chicago!

Here are the packages, prices and important things to know about Navy Portraits as of 8/26/10:

Your recruits picture will be taken in their Navy Blue uniform and these are
very nice, professional portraits.

No order form is sent to the families, it's up to the recruit to decide to order
them or not, and how many.

These are taken around week 4 or 5, they are ready and available for the
recruit to pick up the last week of boot camp.

They must be paid for with a debit or credit card, or personal check (cash okay
- but they should never have that much cash with them at boot camp!). They
cannot have the cost taken out of their pay check. Families can go into the NEX
on PIR day to pay, but it's a bit crazy on PIR day, so advise you to let recruit get
them earlier that week. If your recruit did not bring a debit/credit card, mail
them a check. Call the NEX Photo Lab for more info on that: 847-578-6205

There are only two packages they can order:

Package A - $140.00 (no tax charged)

1 - 11x14 photo, 2 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, 24 wallets, 1 - 11x14 formal Division
photo. IMPORTANT: If they order and PAY for Package A no later than PIR day, it includes a free bonus - the
Cruisebook (aka Keel Yearbook).

part 3:

Package B - $120.00 (no tax charged)

1 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, 16 wallets, 1 - 11x14 formal Division photo. There is no
free bonus book in this package.

Things you can order separately:

Note: Your recruit cannot just buy a few photos, they must order a package to
receive any photos at all. However they can just order a DVD or a Cruisebook without ordering photos.

DVD or Video of PIR ceremony $29.00, includes shipping. It
will be mailed to the address given by recruit 5-6 weeks after PIR

Cruisebook (aka Keel Yearbook) $30.00, includes shipping. It will be mailed to
the address given by recruit 12-13 weeks after PIR. NOTE: This book is printed just one
time, so if it is NOT ordered and paid for by PIR day, you can never get one later. The
photo lab orders the exact number of books ordered and paid for the day after PIR, so there are never any left over. There
are no exceptions to this rule.

Reorders: You can order more photos in various sizes for up to one year from PIR date. There will be a form in the
portrait package to do this. Reorders can only be ordered if your recruit
ordered a package.

Frames: The above packages come with thick construction paper frames - it does
keep them safe when traveling. The NEX also sells very nice frames in a variety
of sizes and styles. Prices are on the order form that comes with the
portraits.

This information was confirmed with two different employees at the NEX Photo
Lab!

If anyone wants to contact the "picture people," here is an email address where you can ask any questions:

Jerrold_Klinkosh@nexweb.org

We had our son order package "A" and the DVD. He paid with his debit card and we just reimbursed him afterwards. Right after PIR, my son walked to his "ship" and retrieved the portraits. When we went back to our hotel room with him, we were able to open them and check them out. Very cool. His PIR was 09-13-13, so we don't expect to receive the keel or DVD in the mail for a little while. Here is his picture above our fireplace.

You're welcome!

Great Lakes Lodging Guide: http://www.navydads.com/group/pirtipshintsandhelps/forum/topics/gre...

but I'd look at the Navy Lodge at $65/night

Navy Lodge had everything we needed for $66 a night. Can't beat it.

Navy lodge is about 1.4 miles from the main gate at RTC. There is also no sales tax on the nightly price. Its clean and the staff is also very helpful. I've stayed at the one in GL and also Kingsbay. Always clean rooms and great service. Highly recommend.

if you read through the guide you'll see a number of negative ratings for the Ramada........

Brandon, SpringHill were we stayed was really nice and comfy  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiwg-springhill-suites-chica...

thanks Bob,Paul and Rick!!

posted by Bill Black:

Brandon, unfortunately because of a misinformed young lady at the Navy Lodge, we stayed at the Ramada. I was told by her that you had to have a military ID to stay their in spite of telling her it was for my son's PIR. Anyway, I tried I believe it was a Holiday Inn and they were booked so I panicked a bit thinking that the area hotels may be booked solid (there was also a huge event going on in Chicago that weekend). Since the Ramada was listed in the brochure sent along with the form letter, we booked it. We didn't have any bugs in the room but that was the only positive. It was dingy, drab, laid out horribly (difficult to navigate around and we had two rooms that were seemingly miles apart) and the staff was a bit abrupt. So as the others have pointed out, I would pretty much stay anywhere else.

and you guys may want to consider also posting in the PIR group as well as that is more oriented to PIR related topics....

so can anyone that's going stay at Navy lodge? or only us on the list of guests?

thanks Paul

you can stay at this Navy Lodge if you have a sailor going through PIR.  You will have to give PIR info when you reserve the room....

consider getting a RTC Challenge Coin to commemorate your sailors Boot Camp experience and PIR......check our Store for some of those coins: http://www.navyoutfitters.com/category_s/163.htm

know it's tough Cody...hang strong and always positive for your sailor!!! You did a sly psychological trick in asking her to motivate her shipmates.....well done!!!  It displaces attention from her depression into something she can do and thereby overcome her feelings of negativity!

We received our first letter from Alex today. He misses us but he said he isn't crying or anything like a couple of the guys (apparently THOSE guys got a good tongue lashing from the RDC's!). He said, boot camp is "physically wise, EASY" Duh, coming from a kid who qualified for special forces (unfortunately, his eyes disqualified him). However, due to homework he is averaging about 4 hours sleep per night and that is "Tough but doable." Moma was, of course, very happy to get the letter. So proud of our son!

Cody, great job with your bride. Personally, if someone says to me "stay strong" when I am weak, I'm left thinking, "HOW?" Then I remember that the Bible says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4 13).

In your wife's case, I would just like to remind her that "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)" It might not be how WE would work it out and we probably can't see how it is going to work out for the Good but God is going to do just that. If the good requires a delay of training then she can REST knowing that God is working for her not against her.

This line of thinking has really helped me in relationship to my daughter who dropped out of high school and ran away from home earlier this year. She was gone for about three months. After the hard knocks school bumped her around a bit she came home with a different attitude. She has a good job now and keeps mentioning getting her GED. She is going to be moving out to an apartment by the end of the year but I know God's not done with her yet He's going to keep working.