Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
4-Phases of opening Recruit Graduation
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., will allow limited access to morning colors/graduations beginning May 7, 2021 as part of a gradual approach to reopen the depot completely to visitors. Shifts in policy will be conditions-based, not time-based.
Starting May 7, access to graduations will be limited to the following: those who work or live aboard the depot, command approved visitors, and two visitors per each graduating Marine. The two visitors will be chosen by the graduating Marine and notified by their Marine approximately two weeks prior to graduation.
Visitors to the depot must abide by COVID-19 mitigation measures in place aboard the depot to include: wearing a face mask, social distancing between family groups and adhering to occupancy limits at installations aboard the base. Visitors not abiding by these regulations may be asked to depart the depot.
Visitors are asked to remain at home if they display COVID-19 symptoms or have had close-contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Approved visitors attending graduation acknowledge that they do so at their own risk of exposure to COVID-19.Check out what graduation looks like! MCRD Parris Island.
Approved visitors may start arriving at the depot beginning at 5 a.m. on Friday and must utilize the random vehicle inspection gate to enter the base. Signage will indicate the correct gate to use. Photo identification is required to enter the depot.
Graduations typically occur from 9 .a.m. – 10 a.m. Newly graduated Marines will have base liberty immediately after graduation until 4 p.m. Visitors are required to depart the depot no later than 5 p.m. Marines will continue to ship directly to The School of Infantry until otherwise stated.
Graduation schedule beginning May 7:
5 a.m. MCRD Parris Island opens for approved visitors
6 a.m. Douglas Visitor Center, Marine Corps Exchange and Java Cafe open
6:30 a.m. Trams begin operations
7:45 a.m. Morning Colors Ceremony
8 a.m. Depot Museum Opens
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Graduation Ceremony
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. New Marine liberty
5 p.m. Visitors required to depart depotBook Graduation Travel
MCRD Parris Island Family Day and Graduation Reopening Schedule
May 7th -31st grad dates are in phase (1) of the proposed reopen timeline.
✅ Phase (1) includes:
- 2 invited visitors per Marine
- Friday only events
- Liberty with family on Friday
- No leave granted for the new Marines
June 1st-30th grad dates are in phase (2)
✅ Phase (2) includes:
- 4 invited visitors per Marine
- Thursday and Friday events
- Liberty with family on Thursday and Friday
- No leave granted for the new Marines
July 1st grad dates begin phase (3)
✅ Phase (3) includes:
- Unlimited number visitors per Marine
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday events
- Liberty with family on Thursday and Friday
- No leave granted for the new Marines
✅ General info:
- All guests will be required to wear masks and social distance.
- Marines are not getting leave after boot camp until further notice.
- The MOTO Run is included in phases 2 & 3.
- New Marines are still shipping to SOI on the Saturday after graduation.
**Information adopted from Communication Strategy and Operations Office at MCRDPIMedia@usmc.mil
Categories: Recruit Training, USMC
