MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND
MARINES
Port Royal, SC
United States
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND
MARINES
Port Royal, SC
United States
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Base Essentials
The Marine Corps' East Coast recruit training depot — 8,000 acres on Port Royal Sound in South Carolina's Lowcountry. The legendary 'birthplace of Marines' since 1915, training new enlisted Marines from east of the Mississippi with deep Marine identity and coastal SC scenery.
Base Details
Type
Marine Corps Base
Branch
MARINES
Command
TECOM
Status
Active
Est.
1915
Acres
6,717
Active Duty
4,000
Civilian
2,000
Population
185,000
Economic Impact
$700 million
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island History
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina has been training Marines since 1915. Located on a tidal island in the Beaufort area, it trains all female Marine recruits and all male recruits from east of the Mississippi. Parris Island is deeply embedded in Marine Corps culture — its swamps, sand fleas, and demanding environment are part of every East Coast Marine's shared experience. Like MCRD San Diego, it will integrate gender-integrated recruit training under new Marine Corps policies.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
—
—
Historic Timeline
Timeline events coming soon
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Information
21 of the Best Restaurants Near Parris Island MCRD
Read
Information
Things To Do in Parris Island & More Near MCRD Parris Island
Read
Information
Parris Island Schools & More Near MCRD Parris Island
Read
Information
Parris Island Lettuce and Marines Affected by Climate Change
Read
Information
MCRD Parris Island Base Housing: On-Base Options
Read
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Phone
(843) 228-2627In-Processing
Permanent party personnel arriving at MCRD Parris Island report to their gaining unit and to the Depot Consolidated Administrative Center (DCAC) Military Personnel Office, located in Building 923, 923 Chosin Reservoir Road. The DCAC handles personnel and finance processing, medical and dental registration, housing coordination, and CAC/ID card processing. Phone: (843) 228-2739. Standard administrative hours are Mon–Fri 0800–1600.
For after-hours arrivals, contact the Command Duty Officer (24/7) at (843) 228-3712. Temporary lodging is available through the Billeting Office, Building 330, 330 Korea Street, (843) 228-3558. Most permanent party personnel ultimately reside in Laurel Bay Family Housing; the Tri-Command Family Housing management office can be reached at (843) 379-5300.
A mandatory Welcome Aboard Brief is held quarterly for incoming personnel (E-1 through E-6 and junior officers), with spouses encouraged to attend. The MCCS South Carolina Information, Referral, and Relocation (IR&R) office coordinates sponsor assignments and relocation resources — contact them at (843) 228-3302.
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 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
On-Base Housing
Coming soon
2026 BAH Calculator
Loading calculator...
View Full BAH Rates
Cost of Living Around Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
90
10% Below 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 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
2
Elementary Schools
View schools
2
Other Schools
View schools
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Popular Neighborhood
Suburban
Families
Short Commute
Neighborhood details coming soon
Nearby Community
Urban
Singles
Nightlife
Neighborhood details coming soon
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Spouse Income Tax
South Carolina exempts military and retirement pay. MSRRA applies.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military may keep home-state plates.
Property Tax
100% disabled veterans exempt from property tax.
Pet Policies at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
—
Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
Coming soon
Coming soon
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Commissary
Coming soon
Exchange
Coming soon
Medical
1
Naval Hospital Beaufort Command Facebook Page — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
01
Are the base gates open 24 hours?
All 1 gates at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access levels vary by gate — some are restricted to military and DoD ID holders only.
Read answer
02
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
03
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 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Read answer
04
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
05
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 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
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
Tri-Command
Colorado Springs, CO
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.