Guests for graduation must complete the NSI Family Graduation Guest Application by scanning the following QR code. If you do not have a smart phone you are able to access the form here. Forms must be submitted no later than one week prior to the graduation ceremony. Each Midshipman Candidate is allowed four guaranteed tickets, with two additional tickets available on standby if space permits. A single application form may be used for all guests traveling together. 

Picking Up Your Ceremony Tickets

Each guest must present a photo ID.

CEREMONY TICKETS: All approved persons (including minors) attending the graduation ceremony MUST personally pick up his or her ticket at the OFF-BASE Recruit Family Welcome Center the day before or the morning of your new midshipman's graduation. Tickets are free of charge, but you must have one of the following forms of valid photo ID:

• Off-Base Ticket Pickup Location / GPS Address: The Recruit Family Welcome Center is located at the Navy Exchange (NEX) Burkey Mall, 2650 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60088. Generic search terms such as "NEX," "Recruit Training Command," or "Naval Station Great Lakes" may take you to the wrong location — use the full street address above.
• Graduation Ceremony Ticket Pickup Hours

Uniform for NSI graduation: Summer White for E-7 and above; Service Dress for E-6 and below; or service equivalent.

ARRIVING

Gates open to the public on graduation day at 6:30 am. Once on base, it will take time to pass through security at the gate and to conduct 100% bag checks before entering the ceremony — please plan accordingly. Doors into the ceremony will be locked promptly at 8:45 am when the graduation ceremony starts; no guests may enter after that time. The ceremony concludes at approximately 10:00 am.

WALKING ON BASE

Pedestrians may walk onto the base using the Gate 8 turnstile across from the Metra train station. You may have to wait in line outside the gate to check in, and once on base, it is approximately ½ mile from the gate to the entrance of RTC's Visitor Center (USS YORKTOWN). Please consider these factors during inclement weather.

DRIVING ON BASE

Every person in the vehicle must present a ceremony ticket and photo ID in order to drive on RTC. The driver must present a driver's license and may also be asked to present vehicle registration and proof of insurance or a rental car agreement. Shuttles, Uber, other rideshares, and taxis are NOT allowed on base AT ALL and must drop off passengers at the parking lot next to the Gate 8 pedestrian turnstile. Once on base, vehicles are directed to the parking structure next to RTC's Visitor Center (USS YORKTOWN).

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

Attending the Graduation Ceremony

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

ITEMS POLICY:

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 REQUIRED to carry a weapon as a condition of your service, please contact Great Lakes Police Department, Deputy Chief Knapp at (847) 688-5555 or james.b.knapp.civ@us.navy.mil well in advance of your visit to meet requirements for doing so on a military installation.