Information about recruit training at Parris Island has been difficult for many wives, parents, family members and friends of recruits. Donut Connection has developed the calendar you see to represent the current week of training and where each company is in its training schedule. The best website for information on the Depot and training of Marine Recruits is http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/training/ref/index.htm. This site has the basic schedule outlined and provides a discussion of each phase and major event. Although it is somewhat out of date with the on-going modifications and improvements to the training process, it is very complete. As you navigate through the site, you can learn about the Recruit Training Regiment (RTR) and the line battalions.

A good place to link up and share experiences about your recruit and your emotions and plan your trip to Graduation is the Parris Island EZ Board http://p088.ezboard.com/bparrisisland. This site has been run informally by wives and friends of drill instructors for years. A newer site Recruit Parents http://www.recruitparents.com has become popular. The information on both sites is reasonably accurate and mostly truthful as everyone there tries hard. Another website that discusses both San Diego and Parris Island and is accurate in its information http://usmcgradparrisisland.org.

When planning to venture to Parris Island, remember, you must want to come here to get here. Parris Island is off the beaten path. Beaufort is a growing town with new hotels being opened every year. Lodging is still tight during the summer months with the larger companies graduating - sometimes 600 or more Marines. The Beaufort Chamber of Commerce is a great source of information and will send you a free visitors' package. The biggest thing to remember is to arrive early. Traffic at the gate can be tough sometimes due to volume and necessary security checks and precautions. Donut Connection has prepared a sister page of Beaufort and the surrounding area for recommended sites and things to do.