MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) Parris Island, SC

Parris Island, SC 29905 | Base Operator: DSN: 335-1110, (843) 228-2111

MCRD Parris Island: Overview

Male enlisted Marines residing east of the Mississippi and female enlisted Marines that reside within the entire United States report to MCRD Parris Island for their preliminary training. Only by special request are male recruits residing west of the Mississippi permitted to train at Parris Island.

Marines were first assigned to Parris Island in 1891 and on November 1, 1915, this base was authorized as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and training has been taking place there ever since. Another command for the principle object of training female recruits was initiated on February 15, 1949 and now stands as the only female training facility in the Corps.

MCRD Parris Island: Education

Marines that have gone through MCRD Parris Island understand the value of training. Also, they know that the lifestyle of a Marine is active, and to earn a degree, the program must be flexible. Therefore, online schools are perfect for Marines. Online schools deliver a high-quality education in an extremely convenient format. No matter where you are, you can complete coursework. Also, you can attend class according to your schedule. You may want to request information from a number of these schools. Start by clicking the "Find A School" button below:

MCRD Parris Island: Location

MCRD Parris Island is surrounded by Port Royal, South Carolina and is about five miles south of Beaufort, South Carolina. Other communities in the area include Hilton Head Island, SC, Wilmington Island, GA, Savannah, GA, Rincon, GA, Garden City, GA, Pooler, GA, Richmond Hill, GA, Charleston, SC, Summerville, SC, North Charleston, SC, Ladson, SC, Hanahan, SC, Mount Pleasant, SC, Goose Creek, SC and the hub of each of these cities is approximately 57 miles from Port Royal.

MCRD Parris Island: Interesting Facts

Parris Island's first name was "Punta De Santa Elena" given it by Spanish explorers, and that European place name still is continuously used, being the oldest of that type in the United States.
This area was a coaling station after its takeover by the Union Army in 1861 and after the war resumed this mission due to the efforts of Robert Smalls, a former slave who was later elected to be a Congressman, and whose mission was to generate a new federal military installation on Parris Island.
To this day, about 17,000 recruits are trained each year by Marines at this base.