TRI-COMMAND
MARINES
Colorado Springs, CO
United States
TRI-COMMAND
MARINES
Colorado Springs, CO
United States
Tri-Command
Where Marines are made and warriors fly
Base Essentials
The Tri-Command encompasses Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and Naval Hospital Beaufort, all located in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Parris Island is the nation's only recruit depot for enlisted female Marines and trains approximately 19,000 recruits annually. MCAS Beaufort, known as 'Fightertown,' is home to Marine Aircraft Group 31, one of the largest F/A-18 aircraft groups on the East Coast.
Base Details
Type
Joint Base
Branch
MARINES
Command
NORTHCOM
Status
Active
Est.
—
Acres
7,000
Active Duty
—
Civilian
—
Population
750,000
Economic Impact
—
Tri-Command History
Named AfterMerritt Field named after Maj. Gen. Lewie Merritt, USMC (retired), who fought at Belleau Wood in WWI and flew combat missions in WWII.
The Tri-Command refers to the three commands co-located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs: U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Space Command, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Together they are responsible for homeland defense, space operations, and aerospace warning and control for North America. The proximity of these commands enables close coordination on threats to the homeland.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
NORAD
—
—
U.S. Northern Command
—
—
U.S. Space Command
—
—
Historic Timeline
1562
First French Settlement
1882
Congress Authorizes Naval Storehouse
1891
First Marine Post Established
1911
Recruit Depot Begins Operations
1919
Name Changed to 'Parris'
1943
MCAS Beaufort Opened as NAS
1949
Female Recruits Arrive at Parris Island
1949
Naval Hospital Beaufort Built
1956
Ribbon Creek Incident
1960
MCAS Beaufort Officially Designated
1975
Merritt Field Named
1986
Recruit Training Consolidated
—
View Key Moments
(12)
1562
First French Settlement
French colonists made the first successful European settlement attempt on what would become Parris Island.
1882
Congress Authorizes Naval Storehouse
Act of Congress authorized establishment of a coaling dock and naval storehouse at Port Royal Harbor; Parris Island selected as the site.
1891
First Marine Post Established
A Marine guard of one sergeant, two corporals, and ten privates was assigned to Port Royal, establishing the first Marine post on the island.
1911
Recruit Depot Begins Operations
A recruit depot began operation at Port Royal on a three-company basis as a secondary function of the Marine Officers' School.
1919
Name Changed to 'Parris'
Marine Corps Order No. 32 officially changed the spelling from 'Paris' to 'Parris' on May 3, 1919.
1943
MCAS Beaufort Opened as NAS
Naval Air Station Beaufort opened during WWII; deactivated at war's end and later reactivated as a Marine Corps installation.
1949
Female Recruits Arrive at Parris Island
In February 1949, female recruits began arriving at Parris Island following passage of The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948.
1949
Naval Hospital Beaufort Built
Naval Hospital Beaufort was built in 1949 and remains the oldest naval hospital building still in active service for patient care.
1956
Ribbon Creek Incident
On April 8, 1956, six recruits drowned during a late night march when a junior drill instructor led them into Ribbon Creek, prompting major reforms in DI supervision.
1960
MCAS Beaufort Officially Designated
On March 1, 1960, the Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station was redesignated Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
1975
Merritt Field Named
The airfield at MCAS Beaufort was named Merritt Field on Sept. 19, 1975, in honor of Maj. Gen. Lewie Merritt, USMC (retired).
1986
Recruit Training Consolidated
Recruit training was consolidated under the Recruit Training Regiment in 1986; all recruits required to complete the same 70 training days regardless of gender.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Tri-Command.
Tri-Command Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Tri-Command.
Main Gate
Hours coming soon
Visitor Center Gate
Hours coming soon
Back Gate
Hours coming soon
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Tri-Command.
Information
Housing
Read
Military News
Malmstrom AFB PCB Levels Raise Cancer Risk for Missileers
Read
Military Retirement
Best States for Military Retirees in 2026: Taxes, Cost of Living, and More
Read
Moving
Why So Many Military Families Are Choosing San Antonio & What It Might Mean for Your PCS
Read
Health & Fitness
Breathe Easier, Run Faster: How Quitting Nicotine May Improve Military Fitness Scores
Read
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Tri-Command.
Welcome Center
Coming soon
In-Processing
The Tri-Command area encompasses the combined military community of Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg), Pope Army Airfield, and their associated tenant commands in the Fayetteville, North Carolina region.
Personnel assigned to this area report to their primary installation. For in-processing information, refer to the Fort Liberty in-processing guide. Contact your sponsor and gaining unit for specific reporting instructions for your assigned command.
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Open PCS Entitlements Estimator
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Download Full Base Guide PDF
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Tri-Command.
1,313
units
/
VA298
MHA
Atlantic Marine Corps Communities (AMCC) at Tri-Command manages base housing for Beaufort-area Marines and Sailors across MCRD Parris Island (260 family units), MCAS Beaufort (over 1,000 family units), the Laurel Bay housing community, and Naval Hospital Beaufort (53 family units). Homes include lawn care and maintenance services, with amenities such as gated neighb…
Local Market
2026 BAH Calculator
Loading calculator...
View Full BAH Rates
Cost of Living Around Tri-Command
105
5% Above National Average
Housing
Calculate Your Buying Power
See what you can afford using your rank, BAH, and local market data.
Open Calculator
Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Tri-Command.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
5
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
2
Other Schools
View schools
Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
The Tri-Command area offers a variety of off-base living options throughout Beaufort County. Port Royal is the closest community to both Parris Island and Naval Hospital Beaufort, just outside the main gate, and offers single/duplex homes, apartments, condominiums, and mobile home options. Beaufort itself features historic pre-Revolutionary War and Civil War-era charm with miles of beautiful beaches and a quiet pace of living. Hilton Head Island, approximately 45 minutes away, offers world-class golf and tennis facilities. The area was discovered after World War II as one of the last undeveloped, unpolluted areas on the East Coast, and has grown significantly since.
Port Royal
Closest community to Parris Island and Naval Hospital Beaufort, with single and duplex homes, apartments, condominiums, and mobile home villages. A traditional neighborhood community with walking trails, parks, and a revitalized town core.
Schools: Beaufort County School District
Beaufort
Historic city with pre-Revolutionary War and Civil War mansions, broad rivers, and marshes. Offers numerous single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums throughout Beaufort County.
Schools: Beaufort County School District
Hilton Head Island
Island community approximately 45 minutes from Parris Island offering numerous apartment and condominium complexes, world-class tennis and golf, and water-related activities.
Schools: Beaufort County School District
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Tri-Command.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully taxed
Retirement Pay
Partially exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Colorado taxes active duty pay at 4.4% flat rate.
Spouse Income Tax
MSRRA applies. Colorado offers MSRRA guidance on state tax site.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military exempt from CO registration if home state is current.
Property Tax
Disabled veterans may qualify for 50% property tax exemption on first $200,000.
Latest Videos from MyBaseGuide
View all
Pet Policies at Tri-Command
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Tri-Command.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
—
Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Required Vaccinations
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Tri-Command.
Commissary
1
Parris Island Commissary
Exchange
MCX
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (MCAS); 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday (MCRD)
Medical
5
Naval Hospital Beaufort — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
4
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Employment & Education
3
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tri-Command.
01
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
Read answer
02
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Tri-Command.
Read answer
03
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
Read answer
04
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Tri-Command.
Read answer
Question
More MARINES Installations
Explore other MARINES bases and installations.
Camp Allen
Norfolk, VA
Camp H. M. Smith
Aiea, HI
Camp Lejeune
Jacksonville, NC
MCAS Beaufort
Beaufort, SC
MCAS Cherry Point
Havelock, NC
MCAS Miramar
San Diego, CA
MCAS New-River
Jacksonville, NC
MCAS Yuma
Yuma, AZ
MCB Camp Pendleton
Oceanside, CA
MCB Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, HI
MCB Hawaii/ MCAS Kaneohe Bay
Kaneohe, HI
MCB Quantico
Quantico, VA
MCLB Albany
Albany, GA
MCLB Barstow
Barstow, CA
MCRD San Diego
San Diego, CA
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Port Royal, SC
Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms, CA
US Marine Corps Reserve Training Station in West Palm Beach, FL
Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.