Parris Island Graduations USMC Bootcamp Recruit Training MCRD

Terminology to learn for
Parris Island MCRD Graduation

All photos below are courtesy of "Good to Go Video", the production facility for video, photography, and yearbooks for MCRD Parris Island.

Watch Your Step!
Respect the Marine Corps grounds during your visit to the Depot. Please do not walk on the grass. Please do not walk across the Parade Deck.

Platoon Honormen

PI Recruits Praying

PI Graduates

Valor is a Virtue

Family Day
The day prior to graduation with activities planned for families of graduating Marines. Your new Marine will escort you with his left arm to reserve his right hand for saluting higher-ranking Marines.

Family at Graduation

Motivational Run
The final run for the company of recruits. A milestone in your Recruit's training. Many of the commanding officers run with the recruits for the Motivational Run.

Emblem Ceremony
The ceremony where your recruit will be pinned with the Eagle Globe and Anchor (EGA) by his Drill Instructor. After the Emblem Ceremony is the first opportunity family members will have to hug their recruit.

Liberty
Time-off from training for graduating Marines. Recruits must remain on the Depot during Liberty. From 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. on Family Day for the recruit to visit with family and friends.

Parade Deck
Huge area of asphalt where recruits practice drills and marching. Formal ceremonies are held on the Parade Deck. DO NOT walk across the Parade Deck under any circumstances.

Reviewing Stands
Bleachers setup next to the Parade Deck for family members to view emblem ceremony and graduation ceremony.

Plan to arrive in Parris Island by Wednesday evening before family day. You and your recruit can depart immediately after the graduation ceremony on Friday. There is no limit to the number of guests the Recruit may have on the Depot for Family Day or Graduation. Dress is casual but remember you will be walking around with your soon-to-be Marine on Thursday afternoon; dress accordingly. Bare mid-drifts would be inappropriate. Very comfortable walking shoes for all family members are a requirement on both days. Wheelchairs and strollers are NOT available on the Depot.

For the motivational run, emblem ceremony, and graduation, the Marines will cordon off areas labeled with your Recruit's platoon number. For the best photos and opportunities to see your recruit up close, remain with your recruit's platoon number.

You'll want to arrive early each day at the Depot to avoid long lines at the gate. For activities to do on the Depot, see dining, shopping and entertainment at the bottom of this page for restaurants, shops and hours of operation.

Important Note: Due to some holiday schedules, including but not limited to Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, a handful of graduating classes will graduate on a Wednesday with family day on Tuesday. The same schedule will apply; substitute Tuesday for Thursday and Wednesday for Friday in the schedule below.

Changes in the levels of security alerts could alter scheduled events. Maps of the Depot and schedule of events will be provided to you on Family Day. Maps of the Depot are NOT available online or in advance.