The house is a favorite base camp for RTC boot-camp graduations. Here is how to make the weekend easy.
Why this house works for graduation weekend
Great Lakes Naval Base (Recruit Training Command) is about 20 to 27 minutes away. Families book this house year-round for PIR (Pass-in-Review) weekends because it is close to the base, spacious enough for the whole family, quiet after long ceremony days, and an easy launch point for celebrating in Chicago afterward.
Planning the weekend
- Thursday (Family Day) and Friday (Graduation): give yourself 30 to 40 minutes of drive time to be safe with base traffic and security lines.
- Base access: bring the documents RTC requires (ID and your recruit's division details). Confirm the current visitor policy before you go.
- After the ceremony: your sailor often gets liberty. The house is a calm place to reunite, and Chicago is under an hour for a celebration dinner.
Make it comfortable
- Three bedrooms sleep the family; the living room has extra seating and a swing chair.
- Full kitchen for home-cooked meals between long days on base.
- Single-level layout with no stairs, easy for grandparents.
- Laundry on site if you are staying several nights.
Nearby for the celebration
- Kenosha, WI (16 min): lakefront dining and a relaxed downtown.
- Chicago (55 min): the big celebration dinner and skyline.
- Six Flags Great America (18 min): if you are traveling with younger siblings.
Many past guests came for exactly this and returned. Message the host if you need a late checkout or an early arrival around ceremony timing.