PIR Guests and PIR Access

Graduation Ceremony Tickets and Guest Policy

STEP 1: Fill out the security access form you received from your recruit

GUEST SECURITY ACCESS FORM: If you are going to be attending the graduation ceremony, please fill out the security access form, maximum four guests per form, and return to your recruit, (using the recruit's address provided in the letter you received from them) according to the instructions on the form. Forms can also be downloaded here. Children under 3 years of age do NOT count toward the maximum number of guests and do not need to be listed. ALL GUESTS 3 AND OLDER MUST BE LISTED ON THE ACCESS LIST, INCLUDING MILITARY GUESTS (ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, RETIRED, VET).

GRADUATION CEREMONY SPACE LIMITATIONS: Recruit Training Command will issue up to FOUR tickets for the graduation ceremony, per recruit. The maximum number of allowed guests is based on safety regulations and the fire code for the drill hall, where the indoor ceremony takes place. Again, recruits are permitted to invite up to FOUR guests to graduation, NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE AUTHORIZED for additional guests. There will be times, due to the number of recruits graduating that number may drop to THREE, so please pay attention to the information you received from your recruit in their initial letter home. Please do not call for additional seats!

ONLY YOUR RECRUIT CAN CHANGE THE GRADUATION CEREMONY ACCESS LIST: Your recruit will be able to make changes to the access list. The last opportunity to make changes will be the week before graduation. If there is a change to be made to the access list (such as a name spelled incorrectly, name-swap, etc…) please communicate any changes to your recruit by mail well in advance. Recruit Training Command staff cannot change these names or release the names of those on the list. Please do not call to verify receipt of security forms, only your recruit can verify that.

STEP 2: Plan your travel itinerary

ACCOMMODATIONS & TRANSPORTATION: The U.S. Navy does NOT provide accommodations, air or vehicle transportation, or shuttle service. Naval Station Great Lakes Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Department has teamed up with SatoVacations to assist with making airline and car reservations for Navy recruit families attending graduation ceremonies. Please refer to the Family & Friends Travel Guide to assist with hotel options, travel information, and recruit care packages. You can also visit www.navymwrgreatlakes.com, call 847-688-3593, or stay up-to-date with the Navy Morale, Welfare & Recreation App that has graduation information plus things to do in the local area. Look for "navymwrgreatlakes" at either Google Play or the App Store.

STEP 3: Pick up your tickets for the graduation ceremony

TICKETING: Everyone who is planning on attending a graduation ceremony MUST personally obtain a ticket, which will be distributed at the Recruit Family Welcome Center the week of your recruit's graduation. Tickets are free of charge, but you must have valid photo ID to obtain your ticket (driver's license, state ID, military ID, passport, or, for minors, a student ID, driver's permit, SSN card, birth certificate). Once you receive your ticket do NOT lose it, as this will be the only ticket you will receive. These tickets are not transferable and are the only means to access the base for attendees.

WELCOME CENTER ADDRESS/GPS: Navy Exchange (NEX) Burkey Mall, 2650 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60088 (Do NOT use generic terms such as NEX, Recruit Training Command or Naval Station Great Lakes).

RECRUIT FAMILY WELCOME CENTER HOURS:

Thursday [10:00 AM to 7:30 PM] and Friday [5:30 AM to 8:30 AM]
**Certain federal holidays may require adjusting days and times.
Please refer to the website for those specific updates**

Plan accordingly so each person can check-in to receive a ticket for the graduation ceremony. If you don't have a ticket you will NOT be allowed entry to the base. Tickets will only be issued to guests who the graduating recruit has verified will be attending. Please ensure those who check-in to receive their graduation tickets are the same as those who were listed on the security form.

**DO NOT GO DIRECTLY TO THE BASE WITHOUT FIRST PICKING UP YOUR TICKET**

STEP 4: Attending the graduation ceremony

ARRIVING: Once the gates open to the public, it will take some time to clear security at the gate, so please plan accordingly. Visitors 18+ will be required to present valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID card). Minors, who can't produce one of the forms of ID listed above, must present either a school ID, driver's permit, copy of birth certificate, or Social Security card.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• 6:30 am: RTC gate opens to guests.
• 7:00 am: Ceremonial drill hall doors open to guests.
• 8:45 am: All guests must be seated. Ceremonial drill hall doors close, no further entry for guests.
• 9:00 am: Pass-In-Review commences.
• 9:20 am: Divisions arrive.
• 10:30 am: Pass-In-Review concludes.

*Please plan on arriving at least 1.5 hours before the ceremony, which begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

WALKING ON BASE: Pedestrians may walk onto the base using the gate adjacent to the METRA train station (Gate 8). Shuttles, taxis, and shared rides from hotels will drop you off in the parking lot adjacent to Gate 8. Once on base, approximately a quarter mile from the gate to the entrance of Recruit Training Command's Visitor Center (USS YORKTOWN).

DRIVING ON BASE: A driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance or rental car agreement and graduation ticket must be ready to present to security at all access points. Once on base, attendees will be directed to park in the parking structure adjacent to Recruit Training Command's Visitor Center (USS YORKTOWN). Please obey the following while driving on base:

• No cell phone usage while driving on base!
• Seat belts are required for all drivers/passengers at all times
• Motorcycle drivers/riders MUST have proper protective clothing/equipment such helmet, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and over the ankle hard-soled boots.
• Recent graduates are prohibited from operating motor vehicles, including motorcycles, and are NOT allowed to be a passenger on a motorcycle.

MULTIPLE SEARCHES POSSIBLE: All graduation attendees are required to enter through Recruit Training Command's Visitor Center, for security screening, prior to entering the ceremony itself. Every person, bag, and vehicle on the base is subject to search. Metal detectors and other security devices are in use onboard Recruit Training Command.

• ITEMS PERMITTED INTO GRADUATION CEREMONY: Small bag/personal item (purse, satchel, etc…), small diaper bag, small camera bag, and personal wheelchair or walker. Strollers and car seats are allowed but discouraged due to space limitations (you may leave them in your car).
• ITEMS NOT PERMITTED INTO GRADUATION CEREMONY:
  • Large bags, backpacks, luggage, posters, signs/banners, large tripods, gift bags of any size, and flowers.
  • Alcohol, illegal drugs, knives or weapons will be confiscated by security. Any person found with these items will NOT be permitted to enter the ceremony.

NO WEAPONS! Weapons possession on federal installations is highly regulated and those in violation are subject to arrest and prosecution.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SAFETY ACT: If you are law enforcement and are required to carry a weapon at all times as a condition of your service; please contact Great Lakes Police Department, Deputy Chief Knapp at james.b.knapp@navy.mil or (847) 688-5555 well in advance of your visit to meet requirements for doing so on a military installation.

Map to Graduation Ceremony

Downloadable version of Map to Graduation Ceremony