4th Recruit Training Battalion
4th Recruit Training Battalion Official Logo
Recruit Training Regiment
Parris Island, South Carolina

01

4th Battalion Incentive Training

Recruits with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, receive Incentive Training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., on Dec....

02

Corps Confidence

Marine Corps recruits execute martial arts techniques during a confidence course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Oct. 20, 2022.

03

Oscar Company Drill Instructor Introduction

Drill instructors with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, introduce themselves to their recruits on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris...

04

4th Battalion Drill

Recruits with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion execute drill movements during Final Drill practice at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris...

05

4th Battalion Obstacle Course

Recruits with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, maneuver through obstacles on the confidence course aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot...

06

Recruits Meet 4th Battalion Drill Instructors

Recruits with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, meet their drill instructors aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, on...

07

Pain Will Retain

Recruits with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, receive Incentive Training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., on Dec....

Within 4th Recruit Training Battalion, there are currently two companies: Oscar and Papa. OSCAR COMPANY, COMPRISED of three series, contains an average of two 60-80 recruit platoons.   Both companies have been gender-integrated training units since January 2021.

Female Marines have trained on Parris Island since Feb. 23, 1949, when 3rd RTBn was activated. On May 1, 1954, 3rd RTBn was redesignated as Woman Recruit Training Battalion and remained under this designation until 1976 when it was redesignated as Woman Recruit Training Command. At that time, Woman Recruit Training Command moved to a new battalion complex, which it still occupies.

On Nov. 1, 1986, Woman Recruit Training Command was redesignated as 4th RTBn and became part of the Recruit Training Regiment. During January 1989, the 3rd RTBn companies were redesignated as November and Oscar Companies due to reorganization of the regiment. In October 1996, Papa Company was activated in order to more effectively train the larger number of female recruits arriving on Parris Island. The 4th RTBn complex was expanded in November 2001 with the addition of a new barracks.

Recruit training is now identical for both male and female recruits, but this is a result of many significant changes over the last 25 years. Some of the key changes were:

  • 1978-First females graduate from Drill Instructor School.

  • 1985-Females began firing the M16-A2 for qualification, which added an additional three weeks to the female schedule.

  • 1988-Basic Warrior Training/Marine Combat Training was incorporated into recruit training for females, adding another two weeks to their schedule.

  • 1996-Female drill instructors were allowed to wear the campaign cover, replacing the scarlet shoulder cord.

  • 1997-Marine Combat Training was removed from the female recruit training schedule with the introduction of the Crucible, resulting in the current 12-week schedule for both male and female recruits. Females Marines subsequently began attending Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry in North Carolina prior to follow-on military occupational specialty training. Female Marines throughout the Marine Corps also started conducting the physical fitness test that mirrors the male PFT, adding additional physical training into the schedule.

  • 2021 First male recruits graduate with 4th Recruit Training Battalion

  • 2022 First mail recruits graduate with 4th Recruit Training Battalion

UNIT LEADERS

4th Recruit Training Battalion

Commanding Officer

 Lieutenant Colonel Aixa R. Dones enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1994, and attended recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduation in August of 1994, Private First Class Dones attended Cryptologic Technician Operator Course, Corey Station, Pensacola, Florida. Lance...

Read Biography

Official Photo

4th Recruit Training Battalion

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major (SgtMaj.) John H. Allen II was born in Kilmarnock, VA on October 24, 1984 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2003. He completed recruit training with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.Upon completion of recruit...

Read Biography

Official Photo

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island