Official websites use .mil
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
We make Marines by recruiting quality young men and women and transforming them through the foundations of rigorous basic training, our shared legacy, and a commitment to our core values, preparing them to win our nation’s battles in service to the country.
To be the nation’s premier recruiting organization and service level training installation, dedicated to recruiting the best young men and women possible, training and transforming them and making/sustaining Marines imbued with our core values and the ideal of selfless service to the nation. We will accomplish this while keeping in mind our duty to maximize efficiencies and preserve the integrity of the great legacy of Parris Island and the Marines of generations past.
Brigadier General Lance J. Langfeldt assumed the duties of his current position as the Commanding General of MCRD Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region on May 19, 2026....
Read Biography
Official Photo
Sergeant Major Paul A. Forde assumed his current post as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Eastern Recruiting Region Sergeant Major on April 25, 2025....
Colonel Anthony P. Bariletti is currently assigned as as the Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. ...
Sergeant Major Smack serves as the Sergeant Major for Recruit Training Regiment, Parris Island, South Carolina....
Lt. Col. Gregory T. Moynihan reported for his current assignment as the Commanding Officer of 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., in June 2025....
Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) Mitchell Goldschmidt assumed his current position as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, South Carolina in February 2026....
Lieutenant Colonel Ryan J. Russell currently serves as the Second Recruit Training Battalion Commander since June 22, 2026....
In November 2024, Sergeant Major McCord was assigned to be the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Second Recruit Training Battalion....
Lieutenant Colonel Gross assumed the duties of her current position as the Commanding Officer for 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, on June 18, 2026....
Sergeant Major Pinney assumed his current post as Command Senior Enlisted Leader for 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, on April 9th, 2025....
Lt. Col. Nathan L. Jeffcoat assumed command of Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. in June 2025....
Sergeant Major Conyers assumed his current post as Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Support Battalion Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, on April 10th, 2026. ...
Colonel Nash is a native of Fairfax, Virginia. He commissioned in 2003 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy. ...
Sergeant Major Pegram received orders to Weapons and Field Training Battalion and assumed the duties as the Battalion SgtMaj in April 2026....
Colonel Jeremy M. Nelson enlisted in the Marine Corps in November of 1999. Upon completion of entry-level training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, School of Infantry-West, and Marine Corps Security Force School, he was assigned to Marine Corps Security Force Company, Naval Air Station...
June 2025, Sergeant Major Wilson assumed the duties and responsibilities to serve as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C....
Douglas Visitors' Center 843-228-3650
Command Duty Officer 843-441-5842
Protocol 843-228-4042
Base Operator 843-228-2111
Communication, Strategy and Operations Office 843-228-4294
Mailing Address Building 283, Box 19660 Parris Island, S.C., 29905
To request the Parris Island Marine Band for a performance, visit the Request the Band page. There, you will find all the appropriate links, forms and information to request the band for an off-base event. Keep in mind that requests should be submitted at least 90 days prior to an event for the greatest chance of being accepted. Provide as much information as possible with your request.
A Marine Corps color guard from Parris Island may be requested for participation for public community events, such as patriotic ceremonies, festivals and parades, within 100 miles from Parris Island.
To request a color guard, download the request form here.
No less than 30 days before the event, email the completed request form to SMB_MCRDPI_Media@usmc.mil. This is NOT a general information email address. Requests for information about recruits sent to this email address will not be responded to.
Additional Information/Guidance
Participation in public events will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine their eligibility per government and military regulations, as well as the availability of a color guard. Please note that participation in political, fundraising, religious, private and commercial events is typically prohibited.
Requests will be considered as quickly as possible. In the event that a request has not been approved or denied within 10 business days after submission, please call 843-228-3041.
Please note: Military operational or training commitments will take priority and may cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled.
Â
Information available on this website is consistent with Marine Corps and DoD policies and The Principle of Information and contains information cleared for public release.
The appearance of the hyperlinks that are external to Official Marine Corps web sites does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Marine Corps of the associated web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the U.S. Marine Corps does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at other than official Marine Corps websites.
This is an official Marine Corps website and is provided as a public service by the Marine Corps Division of Public Affairs.
Information presented on this site is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.
Privacy Act Statement - If you choose to provide us with personal information – like filling out a Contact Us form with e-mail and/or postal addresses – we only use that information to respond to your message or request. We will only share the information you give us with another government agency if your inquiry relates to that agency, or as otherwise required by law. We never create individual profiles or give it to any private organizations. DefenseLINK never collects information for commercial marketing. While you must provide an e-mail address or postal address for a response other than those generated automatially in response to questions or comments that you may submit, we recommend that you NOT include any other personal information, especially Social Security numbers. The Social Security Administration offers additional guidance on sharing your Social Security number.
For site management, information is collected for statistical purposes. This government computer system uses software programs to create summary statistics, which are used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas.
For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage.
Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Raw data logs are used for no other purposes and are scheduled for regular destruction in accordance with [National Archives and Records Administration General Schedule 20]. All data collection activities are in strict accordance with DoD Directive 5240.1 (reference (p)).
Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.
Cookie Disclaimer - Marines.mil does not use persistent cookies (persistent tokens that pass information back and forth from the client machine to the server). Marines.mil may use session cookies (tokens that remain active only until you close your browser) in order to make the site easier to use. The Marine Corps DOES NOT keep a database of information obtained from these cookies. You can choose not to accept these cookies and still use the site, but it may take you longer to fill out the same information repeatedly and clicking on the banners may not take you to the correct link. Refer to the help information in your browser software for instructions on how to disable cookies.
Parris Island is open for the family and friends of graduating Marines from Wednesday through Friday during graduation week.
For questions and inquiries, contact the Provost Marshal's Office at (843) 228-3444/2995.
You must present a valid government-issued photo identification card (For More Details on REAL ID), vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
If you are driving a rental car, present a copy of the rental agreement.
For questions and inquiries, contact the Provost Marshal’s Office at (843) 228-3444/2995.
The first opportunity you will have to visit your Marine is during family day on Thursday before graduation.
The Family Day Ceremony begins at 9:30 Thursday morning in the All-Weather Training Facility. The Marines will have a liberty period that starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
After Friday's graduation ceremony, Marines will be authorized up-to 10 days of boot leave before reporting to the School of Infantry/Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina.
Mailing address templates can be found on our contacting a recruit page.
Contact your recruit’s recruiter for platoon, company, and battalion information.
Reminder: Do not mail any prohibited items to your recruit.
Recruits are required to make one phone call on the night they arrive on Parris Island to inform someone of their choice (typically a parent) of their safe arrival to recruit training.
Recruits are not permitted to make phone calls, send email or texts, or access the internet. Correspondence with your Marine while they are in training is made through letters/post cards sent via U.S. postal service and services offered through Sandbox.
In the event of an emergency regarding a recruit, the recruit will be permitted to phone someone to inform them of any changes in their training status.
After the Crucible, the new Marines are permitted to make personal phone calls and access the internet during their on-base liberty on the Sunday and Thursday preceding their Friday graduation ceremony.
Your Marine will also provide you notification and instructions when it is permissible to send them a cell phone.
Upon completion of recruit training, Marines will be given the opportunity to take up to 10 days of leave before reporting to the School of Infantry (SOI) or Marine Combat Training (MCT) and any follow on Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school.
The graduation ceremony on Friday starts at 9 a.m. It is recommended that you arrive at the gate at least one hour prior to the ceremony start time to process through all inspection and security check points, and to find a parking spot.
Although, it is not a requirement to show up on Wednesday or Thursday, everyone is encouraged to experience the Marine 101 Brief, the Behind the Scenes Tour and the Family Orientation Brief on Wednesday. For more information about these and other events, visit: southcarolina.usmc-mccs.org/recruit-families
No. The Marine 101 brief explains Marine Corps history and visitor protocols while visiting Parris Island. This brief begins at 10 a.m. followed by two behind the scenes tours; first tour departs at 11 a.m. and the second tour at noon.
The family day orientation brief begins at 1:30 pm. and provides information about your Marine’s next phase of training and possible duty stations. It also provides information on opportunities and services available to your marine regarding off-duty education and the Single Marine Program as examples. Both briefs are held in the Douglas Visitors Center (DVC).
There are limited seats available for both tours however, there is a stand-by line. Due to no-shows from visitors with a reservation, we are frequently able to accommodate those in the stand-by line.
The Family Day Coordinator has a roster of all the dinner reservations made online.
After the reservation window is closed, there may be tickets available for purchase from the family day coordinator in the Douglas Visitors' Center.
Clothing displaying vulgarity or profanity will not be permitted.
Please consider the weather and climate in the area during your visit to the depot. Parris Island during the during the months of April through September can experience extreme temperatures and humidity. It has become customary for families and friends to wear the colors of their Marine’s Battalion during the ceremonies.
First Battalion companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta Color: Red
Second Battalion companies: Echo, Fox, Golf, Hotel Color: Yellow
Third Battalion companies: India, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November Color: Blue
Yes. The uniform must be the equivalent or higher than the uniform worn by the graduates.
The uniform must be worn in accordance with the uniform regulations specified for their respective branch of service.
For more information about motorized scooters, wheelchairs, and single/double strollers available for rent, visit: southcarolina.usmc-mccs.org/recruit-families
Pets are not allowed however; visitors are allowed to bring service animals. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Visitors, including civilian and federal law enforcement officers, are not permitted to bring firearms or ammunition on base. For questions and inquiries, contact the Provost Marshal’s Office at (843) 228-3444/2995.
All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear personal protective equipment to include a dot approved helmet, eye protection, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, full-fingered gloves, and hard-soled footwear. The Marine Corps’ policy supersedes any local or state regulations governing the operation of a motorcycle on a Marine Corps base.
The Douglas Visitor’s Center (DVC) maintains a lost and found for items recovered and turned-in. Inquires can be made in person at the DVC or by calling (843) 228-3650.
For items lost in the museum, call (843) 228-2951; for items lost in the MCX, call (843) 228-1538.
Individual recruit photos are archived for only four years and will not available afterwards. Platoon photos are available for reprints.
Yearbooks are available for order if the graduation date is close to the date you want to order a copy. If you have any questions regarding photos or yearbooks call Recruit Photo at (843) 228-1555 or email at sc.recruitservices@usmc-mccs.org.
Videos of recruit graduation ceremonies are available on DVD. All graduating ceremonies between 11/4/1999 to 11/1/2013 can be ordered by calling (800) 889-6734. All graduation ceremonies after 11/15/2013 can be ordered by visiting www.earningthetitle.com.
Note: Videos were produced by commercial video production companies contracted with the Marine Corps.
Anyone can purchase souvenirs, such as t-shirts, hats, etc, and food or non-alcoholic beverages. Active duty, reservists, retirees, dependents and veterans authorized through the veteran’s administration can make purchases with some restrictions regarding firearms. Ask any MCX sales manager for current policies and restrictions.
All active-duty members and reservists with a current military identification card or veterans with an issued veteran's health identification card may shop at the commissary. Non-ID card holders may enter the commissary when accompanied by a person with the proper credentials.
Parris Island has an RV parking area for service members, retirees and DOC civilian employees. Family and friends of graduating Marines may also use the RV park and make reservations by using the graduating Marine’s name and calling (843) 228-7472 or visiting www.mccs-sc.com/services/rvcamp.asp. The sites are available for a maximum of 30 days at a rate of $40 per night. Each site is full hook-ups with 50 amp service and can accommodate campers up to 50 feet long. Parris Island does not have cabins or allow recreational tent camping.
Photos of individual Marines in Dress Blues are archived for 4 years. Call the Recruit Photo office at 843-228-1555 for information on ordering reprints. Please have as much information as possible, including the Marine's full name, platoon, company, battalion, and graduation date.
Group photos of platoons are permanently archived, although some have been lost or destroyed over the years. Call the Recruit Photo Office at 843-228-1555 for information on ordering reprints. Please have as much information as possible, including the platoon, company, battalion and graduation date.
The yearbook-style platoon graduation books are only available for order/purchase before and around the graduation date. Copies are not overproduced for future availability, nor are extra copies archived. Contact Recruit Photo at 843-228-1555.
Parris Island does not keep personnel records of former recruits, drill instructors or other military personnel stationed here in the past, nor do we keep track of their current whereabouts. Those searching for former service members are advised to search the internet for sites and organizations (i.e. Marine Corps League, Drill Instructor Association, etc.) that may be of assistance. The Marine Corps Association also accepts free submissions for its "Reader Assistance" Section of Leatherneck Magazine; visit http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/submission-guidelines#readers for details. For procedures on requesting archived military personnel records, visit the national archives website: https://archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ (please note: accessing these records are typically only granted to the owners of the records or their family members.)
Parking passes are not required for typical daily visitors of Parris Island, such as those coming for graduation and other related events. Much of the information regarding parking passes found around the internet is obsolete (i.e., the Visitors’ Center does not provide parking passes). Individual battalions still may include a "parking pass" as part of a packet of information recruits mail home, but it is neither required to get on base nor to park. Visitors may park in any available open, unreserved/unmarked spaces, although it is recommended that they park in the parade deck parking lot or the lot next to the visitors’ center, both of which are within walking distance of the major family day and graduation events.
The first step in every Marine's journey should be contacting a Marine Corps recruiter. Visit marines.com to find a recruiter near you.
Graduation Ceremonies are typically held on Friday mornings. For the exact dates of specific Graduation Ceremonies, check the Graduation Schedule. The ceremony begins at 9 am, so guests should be in their seats well before then. The ceremony is typically about an hour long.
Parris Island , South Carolina, consists of 8,095 acres, of which only 3,262 are habitable. The remaining acres are primarily salt marsh. Enlisted male training began aboard the Depot in November 1915 with enlisted female training beginning February 1949. Marines have trained on the Depot during each major conflict of the 20th and 21st century:
World War I – 41,000 recruits
World War II – 205,000 recruits
Korean War – 138,000 recruits
Vietnam War – 250,000 recruits
Operation Desert Shield & Operation Desert Storm (Kuwait)
Operation Restore Hope (Somalia)
Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) - 160,000 recruits
The first Marines in the area of Parris Island sailed into Port Royal Harbor, S.C., as members of detachments aboard various ships with the Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Commanding officer, Navy Capt. Samuel F. Du Pont, seized the area and it was used as an important base for the Union Navy throughout the Civil War.
An act of Congress authorized the establishment and construction of a coaling dock and naval storehouse at Port Royal Harbor. A select group of naval officers chose Parris Island as the site.
To help protect the interests of the government during construction, a Marine guard consisting of one sergeant, two corporals and 10 privates were assigned to Port Royal, thus establishing the first Marine post on the island. Proper housing for the guard was slow in coming, with the Marines moving into barracks nearly two years after the post was created.
1st Lt. Clarence L.A. Ingate was the first officer assigned to command the Marine detachment at Port Royal. On Sept. 15, 1896, with the succession of command to 1st Lt. Henry C. Haines, the detachment became Marine Barracks, U.S. Naval Station, Port Royal, S.C.
The designation Marine Barracks became Marine Officers’ School, U.S. Naval Station, Port Royal, S.C., with the purpose of indoctrinating newly commissioned officers.
A recruit depot began operation at Port Royal on a three-company basis as a secondary function of the Marine Officers’ School, after it had been postponed from its original startup date of November 1910.
The Marine Officers’ School and two recruit companies transferred to Norfolk, Va., after the Department of the Navy decided to use Port Royal for a disciplinary installation.
The recruit depot separated from the officers’ school and returned to Port Royal. It was established as Marine Barracks, Port Royal, S.C., with the principle mission of training enlisted Marine recruits. Three days later, the Navy transferred the land and buildings to the Marine Corps.
The recruit depot underwent a massive expansion of installations, number of Marines trained and the type of instruction recruits received in order to meet the demands of the ongoing World War I. It was also during this time that Marine Barracks, Port Royal, was re-designated as Marine Barracks, Paris Island, and the government took possession of the remaining private land on Parris Island. Marine Corps Order No. 32 officially changed the name "Paris" to "Parris" on May 3, 1919.
Parris Island continued to thrive as a recruit depot in the early years between World War I and World War II, as well as having an advanced training seagoing depot, field music school and aviation elements. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the number of recruits trained drastically fell and other operations on the island also plummeted. Increasing global hostilities in 1939 brought a revival to the recruit depot and in the two years prior to the United States’ entrance into World War II, Parris Island underwent a massive construction phase that resulted in new barracks and training facilities.
In the first months of World War II, Parris Island staggered under the massive number of incoming recruits until shortened training periods were the only answer. Later, as the influx of recruits slowed slightly and deficiencies in the shortened program were noticeable, training was once again increased to help prepare Marines for combat. Approximately 200,000 recruits were trained at Parris Island during the war, including Women Marine Reservists.
Female recruits began arriving at Parris Island to form the first platoon of “Women Marine” regulars after the Marine Corps began accepting women into the service following the passage of The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. Parris Island remains the only recruit depot to train enlisted female Marines even today. Segregated African-American recruits who had previously trained at Montford Point near Camp Lejeune, N.C., also began training at Parris Island in 1949.
Parris Island once again witnessed an increase in the number of recruits to meet the demand for combat troops for the Korean War. The number of recruits overwhelmed the number of available experienced drill instructors, leading to the re-establishment of the Drill Instructors’ School during this time. Approximately, 138,000 Marines graduated from Parris Island during the war.
Tragedy struck the Depot when six recruits drowned during a late night march after a junior drill instructor led the men into Ribbon Creek, one of the tidal streams on Parris Island. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Randolph McCall Pate, ordered better supervision of the drill instructors and training in general to assure that there would never be a repeat of the Ribbon Creek incident.
More than 200,000 recruits trained at Parris Island during the Vietnam War. Training was cut from 12 to 10 weeks to accommodate the number of recruits, instead of adding new platoons.
Parris Island Recruit Depot was re-designated as Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, S.C.
Recruit training revamped for inclusion of more values-based training and the Crucible, a 54-hour culminating event. Training schedules for both male and female recruits mirrored to a 12-week training schedule.
4th Recruit Training Battalion graduates their last all female company.
4 Recruit Training Battalion deactivated, marking successful integration across both Training Depots.
Cpl. Opha Mae II proudly serves as the official mascot of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and the Eastern Recruiting Region. A beloved English Bulldog, Cpl. Opha Mae II represents the pride, tradition, and spirit of the United States Marine Corps.
Rct. Opha Mae II reported for recruit training on March 14, 2023, beginning her journey alongside the recruits of Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. With unwavering determination and exceptional discipline, she completed training and graduated on May 6, 2023—earning her place among the few and the proud.
In recognition of her dedication and performance, she was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal on May 8, 2023. She now serves with distinction under Headquarters and Service Battalion, where she upholds morale and serves as an enduring symbol of Marine Corps values.
Cpl. Opha Mae II carries a legacy in her name—Opha Mae Johnson, the first woman to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1918. Just as her namesake broke barriers and made history, Cpl. Opha Mae II continues to embody the strength, resilience, and commitment that define the Marine Corps.
Whether on parade, at ceremonies, or greeting visitors to the Depot, Cpl. Opha Mae II stands proud—reminding all who see her of the enduring spirit of the Corps.
To request an appearance by Cpl. Opha Mae II, the official mascot of MCRD Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region, please complete the form linked below.
Important Information:
Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Submit at least 14 business days in advance of your event.
You will receive a confirmation email regarding the status of your request.
If you do not receive a response within 7 business days, contact Communication Strategy and Operations at (843) 228-4294.
The mascot cannot attend political events, rallies, protests, or any event that does not align with the mission and image of MCRD Parris Island.