Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Location: Parris Island, South Carolina
Installation Type: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Status: Active

Overview

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is located on Parris Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina, approximately 10 miles south of Beaufort. MCRD Parris Island is one of two Marine Corps recruit depots (the other being San Diego) and trains all female Marine recruits and all male recruits from east of the Mississippi River. Established in 1915, Parris Island is where the transformation from civilian to Marine occurs for approximately 20,000 recruits annually. The famously demanding 13-week Recruit Training program produces Marine Corps basic warriors. The installation is located on a tidal island in the South Carolina Lowcountry, surrounded by tidal marshes and rivers.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Conduct Recruit Training for the Marine Corps; train approximately 20,000 recruits annually through the 13-week transformation program; conduct Officer Candidates School (OCS) support activities.
Major Units: Recruit Training Regiment (RTR) headquarters; Multiple Recruit Training Battalions; Weapons and Field Training Battalion; Support Battalion; Marine Band Parris Island
Tenant Units: Drill Instructor School; Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence elements; Naval Hospital Beaufort support (adjacent); various supporting organizations

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Beaufort, SC (population approximately 14,000) – approximately 10 miles north; Hilton Head Island, SC – approximately 25 miles south; Savannah, GA – approximately 45 miles south
Nearest Commercial Airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) – approximately 55 miles south; the island access via Broad River Bridge is controlled
Gate Access: Main gate on McHugh Boulevard; CAC/military ID required; recruit family member access coordinated during designated visitor periods (family day, graduation); no general public access

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,500 (permanent party; large recruit population of approximately 5,000-7,000 at any time)
Family Members: Approximately 4,500 (permanent party families; recruits are unaccompanied)
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 9,500 (permanent party; plus recruit population)

Key Facilities

Medical: Naval Hospital Beaufort (located approximately 10 miles away in Beaufort) serves as the primary hospital; on-depot medical clinic provides routine care and recruit medical support; Naval Hospital Beaufort provides comprehensive care for military families
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) and facilities
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; golf course (Legends Golf Club at Laurel Bay, shared with MCAS Beaufort); bowling; auto skills; Beaufort area outdoor recreation; beaches accessible
Schools: Beaufort County School District serves military families; no DoDEA schools; same school situation as MCAS Beaufort; families can access Bluffton and Lady’s Island area schools; school quality varies
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Marine Corps Housing on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; island location creates a self-contained community atmosphere; flooding potential in hurricane season
Average Wait Time: 30-60 days typical; Beaufort area off-post housing available
Off-Post Housing: Beaufort, Port Royal, and Lady’s Island are primary off-post communities; same housing market as MCAS Beaufort families; average rent approximately $1,200-$1,800/month for 3-bedroom home; affordable; no state income tax on military pay in South Carolina
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; recruit training regiment and support battalion sponsorship programs; Drill Instructor duty is a prestigious and demanding assignment
In-Processing: MCRD Parris Island in-processing; typically 2-3 days; DI School in-processing for newly assigned drill instructors is more extensive
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Family Services Center; enrollment required; Naval Hospital Beaufort and Savannah/Charleston provide specialist access

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 92F/33C in July); mild winters (average low 40F/4C in January); hurricane risk; Spanish moss, tidal creeks, and lowcountry atmosphere; exceptional natural setting
Cost of Living: Very low; Beaufort County is affordable; excellent quality of life for the cost; no state income tax on military pay
Nearby Attractions: Parris Island Recruit Training; Museum of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (on base, excellent Marine Corps history); Beaufort historic district; Port Royal; Hunting Island State Park (15 miles, lighthouse, palmetto beach); MCAS Beaufort’s Laurel Bay community (10 miles); Hilton Head beaches and resort amenities (25 miles); Savannah historic district (45 miles); Charleston (65 miles); Gullah Geechee cultural heritage of the Sea Islands
Spouse Employment: Beaufort area employment in healthcare (Naval Hospital, Beaufort Memorial), education, and retail; Hilton Head (25 miles) hospitality industry; Savannah and Charleston (45-65 miles) for broader employment; remote work common; Family Services Center assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil
Main Installation Phone: (843) 228-2111
MWR Website: https://mcrdpi.usmc-mccs.org (verify current URL)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Marine Corps Family Services Center, MCRD Parris Island; (843) 228-2611; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/marine-corps-recruit-depot-parris-island; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MarineCorpsRecruitDepotParris_Island, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law

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