Great Lakes Naval Station General Information
Great Lakes Naval Station is located in Illinois adjacent to Waukegan, IL on the north of Chicago. Click here for more information on air, bus, and train transportation for Great Lakes Naval Station.
Due to security measures that are implemented at Great Lakes Naval Station you may experience delays getting onto the base. Be sure to allow for extra time to make sure you arrive at the graduation event on time.
Family members and/or friends attending graduations that are arriving here by motorcycle must have in their possession a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Card. Without this card motorcyclists will NOT be allowed to ride on base.
During your recruit’s first week at Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Commanding Officer will send home an informational letter that contains very important information regarding graduation, including your recruit's graduation date, the names of their intended guests, and the password required for the gate pass. The gate pass is required only if you intend to bring your vehicle onto the base.
Recruits are permitted to place up to four names on the access list. If the names in the packet are different than the guests attending, please write to your recruit immediately to let them know so they are sure which names to include on the list. They will put this list together before the final week of training and it cannot be changed once it is submitted to security, so please coordinate with your recruit as only recruits may place names on the list. RTC can neither change these names nor release the names of those on the list.
Documentation required to obtain a vehicle pass if not obtain in advance for entrance into
Great Lakes Naval Station:
- Drivers license
- Proof of Insurance
- Vehicle Registration
What to wear to a graduation ceremony? Your sailor will be dressed in a Navy Dress White or Blue uniform which is the Navy's formal uniform. You may wear want you want from casual to your Sunday's best.
Liberty Policies vary by unit and depending upon the next destination of your sailor. Please see unit for details on liberty after graduation.
There are no animals allowed at the Graduation. The only exception is for service animals. Cell phones are not allowed in use while driving unless you have a hands free connection. The fine for using cell phones without hands free is $50.00 and $25.00 processing fee. Seat belts are required and strictly enforced.
