MCRD San Diego, CA - Graduation
Please be aware of the following:
– Graduation Events remain closed to the public.
– Graduating Marines will go directly to School of Infantry without leave.
– Graduation photos and video
Cover image is of Hailey, left, and Jacob Knowlton pose for a family photo with their sister after Hailey’s graduation from Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Jacob and Hailey are twins and serve together in the Marine Corps.by Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jennifer Martinez. Graduation images and details are adopted from MCCSMCRD
Family Day & Graduation Ceremony
Family Day and graduation take place on the last two days of recruit training. Family Day occurs Thursday and gives new Marines a chance to see family and friends for the first time during on-base liberty. Graduation is conducted Friday in a formal ceremony, attended by family and friends.
All recruits are issued a graduation packet with the battalion commander’s graduation invitation letter sometime around week 9 of their 12-week training cycle. But please note, it is the recruits themselves who decide where they mail their graduation packets.
Visitors should stop by the Douglas Visitors' Center upon arrival to check in. In order to allow time to identify which recruits have family or visitors waiting to see them, please sign in before 9:50 a.m. on Family Day.
Wednesday - Family Orientation Day at Parris Island
6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) open
6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) Food Court open
7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Engraving Shop open
7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Family Check-in at the Douglas Visitors' Center
Java Café open (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Visitors' Center Gift Shop open (7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Marine Corps 101, including a "Behind the Scenes" tour, at Douglas Visitor's Center.*
Please check-in by 9:30 a.m. so we can begin seating the waitlist at 9:45 a.m.
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Family Orientation Brief at the Douglas Visitors' Center.
2 - 5 p.m. Late lunch at Traditions (pub menu available).
*Register for Family Day events
Thursday -- Family Liberty Day at Parris Island
6 a.m. - 4 p.m. Douglas Visitors' Center open. Please register upon arrival.
Java Café (6 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Visitors' Center Gift Shop open (6 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) open.
6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) Food Court open.
7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Engraving Shop open.
7 a.m. Motivational Run - Peatross Parade Deck and Boulevard de France.
8 a.m. Depot Museum opens.
8:15 a.m.
All-Weather Training Facility (AWTF) opens.
9:30 - 10 a.m. Battalion commander’s brief to families & liberty ceremony (AWTF).
10 a.m. Liberty begins.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Marksmanship Training Unit open house.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Bunker open.
10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Family Day Buffet at Traditions – no registration required!
2 p.m. Warrior’s Prayer at the Recruit Chapel.
3 p.m. Liberty ends.
4 p.m. Meet & Greet with Depot Command at Traditions.
(Please note your Marine will not be present.)
4:30 p.m. Command welcome remarks
4:45 p.m. Family Night Dinner with Depot Command at Traditions. Attendees must register for a table beforehand at www.parrisisland.eventbrite.com
Friday -- Graduation Day at Parris Island
6 a.m. - noon Douglas Visitors' Center open.
Java Café (6 a.m. - noon)
Graduation Station (6:30 a.m.- noon)
6 a.m. - 10 p.m. Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) open.
6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) Food Court open.
7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Engraving Shop open.
7:45 a.m. Morning Colors flag raising ceremony at Barrow Hall.
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Graduation at Peatross Parade Deck.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch Buffet at Traditions restaurant.
*All times/locations subject to change.
**Information provided by https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/graduation/