Liberty will start at conclusion of PIR....do NOT count on time Saturday...he may have to be at the airport as early as 1:00AM or leave as late as 05:00PM----but he'll have to stay at the airport.  When he checks in you can get a security pass so you can wait at the gate with him- he'll have the info at PIR

Don...could be either/or depending upon where they are heading for A School. Your SR will be able to tell you when the time comes. You can get a Gate Pass to accompany them until Departure.

Exactly right Tom...the majority fly out of O'Hare but a significant number out of Midway.  When he checks in at ticketing you can request a pass to wait with him at the gate.  You'll have to go thru security so no bazookas !

I've been to two PIRs...drove on base for one and took a shuttle for the other.....it is up to you, but I'd consider a shuttle/taxi.  In the PIR group we have a map and a how to by-pass the Buckley Road traffic nightmare if you do drive....last week I saw Sarge posted on his FB page that the traffic was backed up a mile on Buckley Road on Friday trying to get onto the base. For PIR you have to plan to be flexible - he may need to be at the airport in the middle of the night and then not fly out for hour and hours....it's the way it is.  He has to take official transportation and cannot leave the airport- hence the pass to wait with him at the gate. And he may not be able to tell you his orders until the last possible moment so planning is tough- but we all survived the PIR chaos as will you! 

Both times I flew in I had a rental....it gives you some flexibility with liberty after PIR.  In general the sailors want a long hot shower, a steak/pizza/meal, and some downtime....remember PIR liberty is THEIR time so you have to be able to chill and respond to what they want to do or not to do as the case may be.  And I don't know what your flight plans are- I few into Midway for one PIR and into O'Hare for the other.....next time I would plan to fly into Milwaukee....much less congested and an easy drive down to Great Lakes.  I've never used Sarge's services, but I know a ton of folks that have and I've heard he goes out of his way for Sailors and their family....that is not an "official" endorsement by ND- just what I've heard and read over the years! And you caught me with my second cup of coffee...now it's time for laundry and chores!

Don...My sailor headed to San Antonio for MA School. She flew out of Midway. We rented a car when we arrived and stayed at the Courtyard Marriott ( right near Sarge's place by the way). Having the rental allowed us to get around for dinner after PIR and get Caity back to base that evening. We then met her at Midway and spent most of the afternoon together before she departed for A School on Saturday. We flew home on Sunday. I would recommend a rental just to give you some flexibility, but whatever works best for you.....

...and for what it is worth, we were very pleased with Courtyard Marriott. It is right across from a big plaza with a WalMart and multiple restaurants for breakfast and dinner. Everything that we needed was readily available. Plan on attending Sarge's Meet & Greet if you can. He will answer any questions or concerns that you may have at the last minute! Enjoy the moment when it arrives...it is a "once in a lifetime" event for you and your family!

Totally agree with Tom- I stayed there for both my PIRs and was very satisfied with the facility and the people working there. They went out of their way to make the PIR experience enjoyable!

What do they say about brilliant minds???? ;)

We're proud Navy dads....I expect nothing less!!!!

Welcome to the family, Sir!

Don- if you think you're proud now, just wait until you are seated at Midway Ceremonial Hall and you see the big roll-up door raise and your sailor march in with their Division......yeah, I can guarantee your eyes will well with a tear or two!

Just got goosebumps again...I will never forget that moment.....proudest moment of my life...

3 years....9 months ago...but who is counting?

Don....make sure to join the MA group as things progress. All of the MA Dads look forward to assisting you on your journey...

Another thought...book a hotel closer to the base rather than near the airports. Chicago commuter traffic sucks! It's about a 45 minute commute from the city to RTC...never mind the traffic! It was about 15 minutes from Waukegan. Look into all discounts...and mention that you are coming for PIR...it helps!

We received a call this afternoon from our SR in ship 13 Div201 sounded great was in good spirits. Said he was fighting a cold that there was a bug going around but was doing great. So please say a prayer for all SR at RTC as they find strength,courage and the ability to make their way through one of the toughest challanges in their lives to becoming the next great sailors the US NAVY has to offerour nation.

Hi all, I'm new to the site.

My son is in ship 02 div 928 PIR 0n 5/22/15. Anyone out there with going to PIR on the same date?

We've had a couple of short calls, the form letter and a 3 page letter so far so it is more than we expected during this time.

Congratulations to this week’s winners of Captain’s Cup!

Div. 182 took top honors in the non-integrated divisions while Div. 180 triumphed in the integrated divisions.

Just got our form letter from our duaghter. She is on ship 12 div 220. Her mom and I miss her dearly. But we know she is working hard and making us proud. We decided to go visit the USS Midway on mothers day. Wanted a little taste of our duaghters new career. we can not wait to see her at her PIR on June 26th. 

Congratulations to this week’s winners of Captain’s Cup!

Div. 812 took top honors in the non-integrated divisions while Div. 928 triumphed in the integrated divisions.

Captain’s Cup is a fun, friendly athletic event held on the Saturday before graduation. The divisions that are set to graduate later in the week get a free morning to kick back and enjoy some fun competition between the divisions in their training group. It’s like recess for recruits.

TG 28 - 7 Divisions (183-186, 811-812 and 928) Graduate Friday, May 22, 2015

Who handles the mail at RTC?

http://www.lakecountyjournal.com/2015/07/22/rtc-mail-workers-serve-...

Congratulations to this week’s winners of Captain’s Cup!

Div. 816 took top honors in the non-integrated divisions while Div. 259 triumphed in the integrated divisions.

Captain’s Cup is a fun, friendly athletic event held on the Saturday before graduation. The divisions that are set to graduate later in the week get a free morning to kick back and enjoy some fun competition between the divisions in their training group. It’s like recess for recruits.

my son is at RTC ship #03

my son is at RTC ship #03 DIV 315 anyone else the same?

div

Kenneth,

My daughter is in Ship 3 Division 315.  I started a group for that division, feel free to join.  Search for PIR 9/18/15 DIV 315.

My son Jack is with ship 4, division 325

Got a letter from my recruit.  He is in Division 299 ship 06.  He said he scored 100% on his first inspection.  We have only received a couple of letters and one phone call so far.  He seems to be doing well.  He said he had the "Smartass Division"  but that he is seeing a lot of improvement and that it was a good bunch of guys and that he feels like that are going to be a very strong unit by the end of the training.  The only thing he has really complained about is that he misses his dog and wishes he that she could be there. Funny!  

In my last letter from my son he said he wanted me to send him his watch while he is at RTC.  Can he receive a small package or should I put it in a padded envelope?

unless something has changed, I'm not aware they can wear watches st RTC.

this was posted about a year ago on another site: The only people in my division that were allowed watches were RPOC, AROC, YN, Port Watch, Starboard Watch, Laundry Crew, Section leaders, and maybe a few others like Ship's staff.

I'll try get current policy from RTC:

https://www.reddit.com/r/newtothenavy/comments/2gp565/are_wrist_wat...

Well everyone was right.Got a call from boy yesterday and he has a 100% turn around.Says he is enjoying the challenges and since he is good at art has been asked to help design the div.flag.Sounded so much like a man I could hardly knew it was him!

Thanks for all the info.  I got a call from my recruit yesterday morning.  We got to talk for about 30 minutes, which was a real treat.  He told me he bought a watch at the Base exchange.  He was excited about the SMAT that is coming up next week.  He said things were going well and that his division (299)  is really coming together.  They just got their second round of haircuts and they all went with the "high and tight". HIs sense of humor is as active as it every was.  He is really starting to make some friends and is looking forward to A school in San Antonio for MA training, several guys in his division are headed there as well.

Today’s RTC Daily Reminder

RANDOM PHOTOS

The Public Affairs Office has two staff members that take random photos as time permits. The photos are random in that whichever divisions happen to be present when the photographers are out and about, those are ones photographed.