Hello men...
Let me start by saying i have served this wonderful country of ours for 25 yrs (US ARMY) My 19 y/o is headed off to Naval Basic Training next month. I am proud beyond words.. Since i am not familiar with that geographic area... Tell me, How cold will he be? Can't wait to attend his graduation in Feb. I have been told about "China" town and have told him to stay far away.. he is also attending his Advance Course (27wks) @ Great Lakes. I spent 4 yrs as an Active duty DS so he is used to the mind games, Physical fitness... Just trying to prepare him for the inclimate weather as we are from Texas. Thanks men, have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

 

I have lived in this area most all of my life, I took my basic training in Sunny San Diego for very good reason.
I would think the Navy will outfit your son with adequate winter wear.

Not to be a doom and gloomer but I would advise he be aware of his whereabouts and cautious at all times and in all places.

Thanks to you both for your service to our country!!!
(Nice avatar BTW)

 

By any chance will he be at the base in North Chicago?

 

I will take that advise Sir and pass it along.. I "get" your meaning.
(Avatar)

 

I am assuming so... Not sure how many Naval Bases are in GL?

 

I'm pretty sure it's the only one. First off, congratulations to you son for this honor and thank I you both for serving our country.

I'm a second year student at Chicago Medical School which is right behind the base, I can see it now as I'm typing to you. The area is nice but is about 35 miles from the actually city of Chicago (a lot of my classmates were surprises just how north North Chicago actually is. The city neighbors Waukegan, Lake Forest and Libertyville.

Waukegan isn't the safest area but I have yet to personally have or hear about a negative encounter.

Lake Forest is very upscale with many places to eat and find entertainment.

Libertyville boasts many restaurants, bars and shopping centers as well as Liberbertyville Chevrolet which has a performance center: LCPC and hosts many open houses.

I grew up and still live about 25 miles south so I'm used to the weather. It does get cold, perhaps as low as -20* with wind chills however the average winter temp is around 32*. A good winter coat is necessary as well as some gloves. I like Northface brand jackets, Columbia is also very warm and protects from the elements.

I commuted ever day last winter and the highways and roads were always plowed by 6am so the cities are well prepared for adverse conditions.

Let me know how else I can help or if you have any questions. Welcome your son to Chicago

 

I will assume you have seen this.

http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/prepare.asp

 

Thank you Sir... I too am in the Medical field "now".. I am the Chief Operating Officer for a large Radiology/Clinical Laboratory in the DFW/Houston area..

I truly appreciate all of your information regarding the geographics of greater northern Ill.. I was actually born @ Scott AFB (Bellville Il)

Kids and i are headed out to St. Louis tomorrow for the thanksgiving Holidays... thanks again friend. I'll keep you all updated...

to my new found Illinois friends....

 

yes Sir... Thank you Brother...

 

I get up to Great Lakes quite often. It's only about 10 miles from our house. I spent 5 wonderful months there after I was wounded in Vietnam. (Actually, it was one of the best times of my life.) It will be cold here in February, but graduations are held indoors. Don't bring any shorts, T-shirts or sandals. Great Lakes is the only basic recruit training center in the country.

 

It will be cold, that's for sure. But the Navy will take care of him. Luckily I went to Boot Camp in sunny San Diego, not the frigid north.

Please thank your son for serving our country and the same thanks go out to you.

 

I went to Orlando for boot camp and now I live up here in the cold midwest. The Navy will take care of him. Wish you luck in coming up in February. Brings lots of warm clothes.

 

Thanks Jack... we were just up in St. Louis for Tgiving.

 

I sure liked the uniform of the day being blues with a wool turtleneck and peacoat, then when it warmed up in the afternoon they'd let us stash the peacoat but had to keep the turtleneck on which would cause a heat rash around your neck................those were the days

 

Great Lakes Naval Base has a program to Adopt A Sailor. It is for those who can not get home on the Holidays to spend time with their families.
http://www.cnic.navy.mil/greatlakes/
GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- Once a year, Naval Station Great Lakes Sailors attending "A" schools spend Thanksgiving with a family, thanks to the Adopt-a-Sailor program. This year, 398 Naval Station Great Lakes Sailors were hosted by 165 local families.

"The Adopt-a-Sailor program offers those families who were generous enough to take our Sailors into their homes for the day a palpable way of saying, 'thank you for your service and sacrifice,'" said Capt. John Malfitano, commanding officer, Naval Station Great Lakes. "It also contributes immeasurably to the morale of our Sailors while they are away from their families at this traditionally family oriented time of year."

The Adopt-a-Sailor program has been an on-again-off-again tradition at Great Lakes since World War I. The program allows families within a 50-mile radius to adopt anywhere from two to four Sailors for the holiday.

 

I did my basic in the winter at great lakes naval station 15 years ago. Im from the region though so the weather was not a big issue for me. They will outfit him with the correct cold weather gear, but he should be aware that it will not be comfortable, especially when drenched in sweat! Its basic, not a pleasure cruise. I live about an hour from the base, if your son ever needs anything, dont hesitate to give me a ring, always willing to lend a hand.

 

LOL... i know it is not a pleasure cruise... As stated earlier, i spent time as an active duty DS! My son is totally prepared mantally,physically. But, he is a 19 y/o like most others... Wanted to prepare him for the environment. ALOT of great information men that i have passed on to him. Thank you ALL SO MUCH for your time, candor, experiences.

 

Thanks "Screamin Chicken"...
Spent time in the 173rd AB DV in Italy/Afghanistan... also went through Dope on a Rope school in the late 80's @ Ft. Campbell.... Thank you for your service...

 

I did basic in Orlando. Great Lakes will be cold but he's going to be very limited in basic concerning free time to go anywhere. What's his rate/job going to be? I was aviation for 6 years and spent most of my time on the flight deck at sea and then aircrew for shore duty.

 

Thanks, my son is the Screamin Eagle, the avaitar is for him. He is a Capt. in the 4th Brigade Combat Team. Just returned from 2nd tour this past Aug. I was in the Air Force. This is a picture of Bryan (on far right) giving out food at Ft. Campbell this 2011 Thanksgiving.
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