4RTBN deactivated in March of 2023, marking successful gender integration across both Training Depots.

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

Capt Rebecca L. Stewart

rebecca.stewart@usmc.mil