MCRD PARRIS ISLAND
MARINES
Parris Island, SC
United States
MCRD PARRIS ISLAND
MARINES
Parris Island, SC
United States
MCRD Parris Island
The Birthplace of Marines since 1915
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
MCRD 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 MCRD Parris Island.
MCRD Parris Island Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for MCRD Parris Island.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on MCRD Parris Island.
REAL ID Required
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
Visitors to MCRD Parris Island must provide REAL ID-compliant identification or approved alternative identity documents (federal PIV card, veteran health ID, passport). Non-REAL-ID driver's licenses are no longer authorized. Most visitors must enroll in DBIDS and complete required SECNAV 5512 forms.
Guest policy
Family and friends of graduating Marines make up the vast majority of visitors allowed at MCRD Parris Island, and are only allowed to visit from Wednesday through Friday of graduation week. Families are required to check in at the Douglas Visitor Center upon arrival at the Depot. Recruit families seeking more information about visiting their recruit and attending graduation at Parris Island will want to check out the Marine Corps Community Services resources for recruit families.
Generally, all other civilian visitors will need to have a government sponsor and will need to pre-enroll in the Defense Biometrics ID System and go to the Provost Marshal’s Office (located next to the gate) upon arrival at the Depot to obtain access.
Parking information
Parking passes are not required on base.
Latest News
Our coverage, local headlines, and upcoming events around MCRD Parris Island.
MyBaseGuide · Information
21 of the Best Restaurants Near Parris Island MCRD
Read
Jun 2
MyBaseGuide · Information
Things To Do in Parris Island & More Near MCRD Parris Island
Read
Jun 1
MyBaseGuide · Information
Parris Island Schools & More Near MCRD Parris Island
Read
Jun 1
MyBaseGuide · Information
Parris Island Lettuce and Marines Affected by Climate Change
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May 25
MyBaseGuide · Information
MCRD Parris Island Base Housing: On-Base Options
Read
May 13
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to MCRD Parris Island.
Welcome Center
Coming soon
In-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.
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Open PCS Entitlements Estimator
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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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 MCRD Parris Island.
SC258
MHA
There are four base housing neighborhoods where families stationed at MCRD Parris Island can live: Wake Village (E1-E9) Weapons Sound (E6-E9, O4-O6) Marsh Landing (O4-O6, WO1-WO3) Laurel Bay Circle (O5-O6)
Local Market
2026 BAH Calculator
Dependency Status
With Dependents
$XX,XXX per year
E-5
Location
Select a grade and location above
Data Sources
BAH rates: Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), effective January 1, 2026. Rates set annually by DoD based on rental survey data.
View Full BAH Rates
Cost of Living Around MCRD 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 MCRD Parris Island.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
13
Elementary Schools
View schools
3
Middle Schools
View schools
4
High Schools
View schools
3
Colleges & Universities
View colleges
2
K-12 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 nearest towns to MCRD Parris Island for a short commute to base are Port Royal and Beaufort. Port Royal and Beaufort are both highly desirable coastal cities with long histories. Bluffton, SC, is another good option worth noting. Though it has a considerably longer commute to the Depot, it has slightly better schools.
Port Royal
Small Town
Port Royal is a highly desirable coastal city with a long history and a short commute.
Commute: 15m
Schools: Beaufort County Schools
Great restaurants, historic charm, beaches.
Beaufort
Small Town
Beaufort is a highly desirable coastal city with a long history like Port Royal. Slightly more expense and has a slightly longer commute.
Commute: 20m
Schools: Beaufort County Schools
Dual-military
Historic antebellum character, Bay Street dining scene, kayaking and sailing, Marine Corps heritage, Lowcountry beauty
Bluffton
Suburban
West of Hilton Head Island and south of Beaufort on US-278, Bluffton has grown dramatically with planned communities and retiree-oriented development. Beaufort County Schools serve the area. The Old Town Bluffton district on the May River is charming, and proximity to Hilton Head's beaches (15 minutes) is a major draw. Newer construction is plentiful and prices are moderate compared to Hilton Head proper.
Commute: 45m
Schools: Beaufort County Schools
Dual-military
Families
Retirees
Old Town Bluffton character, Hilton Head access, May River oyster culture, growing suburban development, retiree-popularity
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at MCRD Parris Island.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
South Carolina fully exempts active duty military pay from South Carolina income tax for South Carolina legal residents.…
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 MCRD Parris Island
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at MCRD Parris Island.
Emergency Vet
30 mi
Carolina Veterinary Critical Care
21 Buck Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910(843) 706-9200On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
5
Prohibited Animals
2
Dog Parks
5
Boarding & Kennels
5
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Leash Laws
Pet-Friendly Housing
Required Vaccinations
Pet Shipping Tips
Temporary Lodging
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at MCRD Parris Island.
Commissary
1
MCRD Parris Island Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
MCX
Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Medical
2
MCRD Parris Island Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
3
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Employment & Education
3
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MCRD Parris Island.
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.
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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 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
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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.
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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 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
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05
I am visiting MCRD Parris Island for a graduation, how do I get on base?
Family and friends of graduating Marines make up the vast majority of visitors allowed at MCRD Parris Island, and are only allowed to visit from Wednesday through Friday of graduation week. Families are required to check in at the Douglas Visitor Center upon arrival at the Depot. Recruit families seeking more information about visiting their recruit and attending graduation at Parris Island will want to check out the Marine Corps Community Services resources for recruit families.
Read answer
06
I am visiting MCRD Parris Island for a graduation, is there a hotel I can stay in on the Depot?
Technically yes, but space at the Osprey Inn is limited and preference is generally given to service members traveling for official orders. As a civilian, you may also lose a reservation at Osprey Inn if the space is needed for military use. Your best bet is likely to look for a nearby hotel off-base.
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Question
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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.