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Parris Island Website ~ http://www.parrisisland.com/. Click on “Recruit Training” & then
“Recruit Training Objectives”. At the end is a week by week training schedule.
Also check “Visitor Information”. ·
“Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce” www.beaufortsc.org
. Ask for a packet of hotels & sights. ·
To purchase Marine-related items, visit
Sgt. Grit at http://www.grunt.com/. ~ lots of Marine Mom specialty items! ************************************** ·
On the day your recruit travels
to Parris Island, you might receive a call as food stops are made along the
way. Around midnight, you will receive a collect call lasting about 10 seconds saying your
recruit has arrived at Parris Island. (You will NOT receive any other calls from
your recruit during training until after the
Crucible on Sunday afternoon when there is a
4 hour Liberty on Base.) Rarely, recruits earn a brief call for a special
achievement during boot camp. ·
Within a week you should
receive a post card with your recruit’s official address. (Delete the Social Security
#. It’s not necessary & should be
protected.) Soon after you’ll receive a
form letter with further instructions for families. ·
(If you have a computer you may want to make mailing labels for yourself
and return address labels to send your recruit! This address is long and labels will not
only be easier but will prevent errors. (Give to family & friends to encourage
letters!!) Be sure to tell everyone NOT to
write any notes on the outside of the envelopes or to use perfume or any fancy envelopes.
Recruits have been known to do push-ups saying, “I love you”, or even sing “Happy Birthday” to
themselves!! ·
Many recruits get homesick and those first few letters may be depressing. Saying you miss them will only
make it worse. It is important to write encouraging letters emphasizing how proud you are!
Help your recruit feel connected by writing about your daily lives, the weather and
enclose news/sports clippings, cartoons, photos, church bulletin, etc. Tell of your travel plans to proudly watch the EGA
Ceremony or Graduation...............count the days! ·
If your letter is only 2-3 pages, you can include an “instant letter
- just add words” (2 sheets of stationery in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to
yourself!) without adding extra postage. (You may want to weigh one at the post office to
be sure.) There is little and sometimes NO time for reading or writing letters so this
saves time for your recruit. Many parents
also send “fill-in-the-blank” letters or postcards to be sure they get answers
to their questions! ·
Care Packages to your recruit can include: letter-writing supplies, one package at a time of “the best tasting cough drops you can
find” (they yell “Sir, yes Sir!!” all day long!), Gold Bond Powder
& foam insoles for their combat boots. (They
are constantly on their feet ~ sweating!) NO GOODIES
or gum unless your recruit says it’s OK. Junk
food is often confiscated or the recruit has to eat it entirely & immediately in
addition to punishment push-ups! ·
Decide NOW (if you can)
whether or not you will be able to attend graduation and bring your new Marine home for 10
days leave. If you will not be there, a plane or bus ticket will be needed to get him/her
home. They have an opportunity to buy this during a session at PI or you might choose to
get the ticket yourself. ·
After graduation from Parris Island,
your Marine will be given a portfolio with orders and complete military &
medical records. (You may want to make a copy of important papers to keep at home ~ things
get lost in the military!) The “orders” tell all the specifics of reporting to MCT
at Camp Lejeune. Arrival is to be NO LATER THAN
3 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday after graduation. (specific date on orders) Your Marine has to take ALL issued clothing and
equipment and no extra "luggage" You need to decide ASAP if you would like to
drive your Marine or if you expect him/her to take a bus or plane. These tickets can be
purchased at boot camp as well, or you can make your own arrangements. (Discounted air
fares go quickly.) You need to let your recruit know early enough what you would like
him/her to do. ·
If you are driving your Marine to MCT and need overnight lodging
“The Hospitality House (910-451-3041) on Lejeune is a great place to stay.
Reasonably priced (around $40) and convenient, the rooms have 2 king size beds, fully
stocked kitchenettes, laundry facilities, and they've always been clean! Rooms can be reserved up to 30 days in advance, or
are available on a first come-first serve basis daily (around 10 am). Your Marine will
have to sign for you ). “ ·
For questions regarding MCT, check Lejeune website http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/soi/ ~ (Chaplain
910-451-2264) ·
The # to get a Marine’s address
for MCT at Camp Geiger is 910-450-0401 but most do not get mail while there. If they do, it is all old mail that was addressed
to them at bootcamp (mail that is just now catching up to them.) They seldom get current mail. They are not able
to write or call until the night before graduation . · MCT begins immediately with processing, issuing of equipment and out to the field on Wednesday. (2-man tents, 3-day “war”, recon with M-16, etc.). They return only once in the middle of training, late at night, enough time for a shower and short night's sleep. Then back out in the field until the Wed. before grad. On the 3rd Friday after arriving, there is a very brief graduation ceremony. Then all the Marines get on buses to head for their MOS schools. Many will be at the airport for 6 or so hours with others waiting for their various flights. (tickets are paid for by Uncle Sam. .) You may get lots of calls that day. (be home and make sure he has a calling card - I've heard Sam's club is best - or you'll have some LARGE collect calls on your bill. At MOS they usually have lots of free time to call.
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