Your Sailor is about to graduate Navy boot camp at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Naval Station Great Lakes, just north of Chicago — congratulations. This free guide walks you through everything you need to plan the trip: how Pass-in-Review (PIR) works, getting your Sailor's guest ticket and base access sorted, and where to stay, eat, and get around Lake County, Illinois.
Graduation Week at a Glance
- Pass-in-Review (PIR): the graduation ceremony, held most weeks at the Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall on base, typically around 9:00 a.m.
- Guest tickets: your Sailor selects up to 3–4 guests in RTC's Guest Ticketing App — each guest then picks up a required physical ticket in person during graduation week.
- Gate pass: only needed if you drive a vehicle onto base; the password comes in the Commanding Officer's letter home.
- Can't travel? PIR livestreams on the official RTC Facebook and YouTube channels.
Dates and guest numbers change by week and division. Always confirm with your Sailor and the official RTC graduation page.
About RTC Great Lakes
Recruit Training Command at Naval Station Great Lakes is the U.S. Navy's only boot camp — every enlisted Sailor in the fleet starts here. Training runs several weeks and ends with the Pass-in-Review ceremony, where recruits officially become Sailors. The base sits on Lake Michigan in North Chicago, Illinois, about 40–50 minutes from both Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Navy boot camp graduation?
Navy boot camp graduation, called Pass-in-Review (PIR), is held most weeks at RTC Great Lakes, typically on a weekday morning around 9:00 a.m. Central. Your exact date depends on your Sailor's division — confirm it with your Sailor and the official RTC graduation page.
Where is Navy boot camp graduation held?
Pass-in-Review is held indoors at the Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall on Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, Illinois.
How many guests can my Sailor invite?
Typically 3–4 guests per recruit. Your Sailor selects guest names in RTC's Guest Ticketing App, and every guest must then pick up a required physical ticket in person at the off-base Recruit Family Welcome Center during graduation week.
How early should I book a hotel?
As early as you can. Rooms in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake Bluff fill up during graduation weeks because every family in the graduating divisions books the same nights. Book early for better rates and locations.
