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Hello. I wrote before telling you guys that my daughter already graduated from Parris Island.
Just a heads up for the ones who don't know this information/don't know the Beaufort, SC area.
First, you guys can find the training schedule in the PI website, you can see a weekly and daily schedule of what your son/daughter is doing. I know my daughter was happy to know that I was very involved in what she was doing, plus that is something else you can write about. The website also has the schedule for The Crucible, which is the week before they graduate. Usually Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning they have the ceremony when they receive the EG&A (Which means they are not recruits anymore, they are MARINES) and get to eat a breakfast buffet. When my daughter was in boot camp The Crucible started three days earlier because the following Monday was Thanksgiving Day. Sunday, after The Crucible is Liberty Sunday, you will receive a call from your son/daughter. In my case I got two calls, one on Thanksgiving Day, which I wasn't expecting, and the other one on Liberty Sunday.
Family Day is on Thursday. Start with Motivational Run at 7:00am-08:00am, don't miss it. It is very emotional to see your kid for the first time in 3 months, @ 10:00am they are free to spend 5 hours with their families and friends, they can eat whatever you want to bring for them. I know that seems a lot of time, but those 5 hours are not enough to make up the time you have been without your child.
Graduation: @ 9:00am, but make sure you get there before 8am to get good seats. Believe or not, the best place to sit is not front to them, it is on the side of the field, because at the end of the ceremony they all march around the field and you get will be able to get a very close shot of your child also record they whole march. It was very nice!
One more thing, my daughter graduated on December 3rd. It was freezing cold and windy. We were not expecting, so my advice is to keep checking the weather, but just in case bring jackets, hats, and blankets, specially if you have young children with you.
Almost forgot to tell you guys, there is a Days Inn in Beaufort, it is less than 5 minutes away from the base, it is the closest place I saw in the area. Beaufort it's a beautiful place with a lot of restaurants and stores. Check the PI website to find out what's your son's PLT color. It would be nice if you were that color during family day and graduation, you can buy nice t-shirts and hoodies in PI like "My son is a Marine", but also you can visit the Corps Store in Beaufort, which has a lot of nice things. I know also there are websites where you can order a t-shirt, hoodies, etc, and they can be customized with your child's picture and last name.
I know it is too soon for this information, but I hope this information help you guys for when you are ready to see your NEW MARINE!
After boot camp they have 10 days of admin. leave. My daughter left Monday for MCT (Marine Combat Training). It last one 4 weeks, so I'll be posting things about it later on, so you guys will know what to expect after boot camp. I will also post a helpful link for parents about MCT.
Just a heads up for the ones who don't know this information/don't know the Beaufort, SC area.
First, you guys can find the training schedule in the PI website, you can see a weekly and daily schedule of what your son/daughter is doing. I know my daughter was happy to know that I was very involved in what she was doing, plus that is something else you can write about. The website also has the schedule for The Crucible, which is the week before they graduate. Usually Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning they have the ceremony when they receive the EG&A (Which means they are not recruits anymore, they are MARINES) and get to eat a breakfast buffet. When my daughter was in boot camp The Crucible started three days earlier because the following Monday was Thanksgiving Day. Sunday, after The Crucible is Liberty Sunday, you will receive a call from your son/daughter. In my case I got two calls, one on Thanksgiving Day, which I wasn't expecting, and the other one on Liberty Sunday.
Family Day is on Thursday. Start with Motivational Run at 7:00am-08:00am, don't miss it. It is very emotional to see your kid for the first time in 3 months, @ 10:00am they are free to spend 5 hours with their families and friends, they can eat whatever you want to bring for them. I know that seems a lot of time, but those 5 hours are not enough to make up the time you have been without your child.
Graduation: @ 9:00am, but make sure you get there before 8am to get good seats. Believe or not, the best place to sit is not front to them, it is on the side of the field, because at the end of the ceremony they all march around the field and you get will be able to get a very close shot of your child also record they whole march. It was very nice!
One more thing, my daughter graduated on December 3rd. It was freezing cold and windy. We were not expecting, so my advice is to keep checking the weather, but just in case bring jackets, hats, and blankets, specially if you have young children with you.
Almost forgot to tell you guys, there is a Days Inn in Beaufort, it is less than 5 minutes away from the base, it is the closest place I saw in the area. Beaufort it's a beautiful place with a lot of restaurants and stores. Check the PI website to find out what's your son's PLT color. It would be nice if you were that color during family day and graduation, you can buy nice t-shirts and hoodies in PI like "My son is a Marine", but also you can visit the Corps Store in Beaufort, which has a lot of nice things. I know also there are websites where you can order a t-shirt, hoodies, etc, and they can be customized with your child's picture and last name.
I know it is too soon for this information, but I hope this information help you guys for when you are ready to see your NEW MARINE!
After boot camp they have 10 days of admin. leave. My daughter left Monday for MCT (Marine Combat Training). It last one 4 weeks, so I'll be posting things about it later on, so you guys will know what to expect after boot camp. I will also post a helpful link for parents about MCT.
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Mother
THANKS this helped me alot! My son leaves this Sunday for Paris Island. I like to plan ahead of time and am trying to decide what days I need to be there, so that helped alot!
Posted by: Becky Dieleman on 09/17/2012
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Mother
Thank you for sharing this information. My youngest son left Mon. 7/9/12 for Parris Island. His older 2 brothers are currently active duty Army. Talk about brothers being back and forth at each other..... I was told by a friend that there was a way you could go on line to see pictures of the Recruits while they are going through Basic. I wonder if you or someone might have information regarding this. Thank you again for sharing information. I want to learn as much as possible about the activities, etc. of my son.
Posted by: Vida Batson on 07/10/2012
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Mother
Than you so much!!!! This has been very helpful for me, being that I am a brand new "proud mom of a future to be marine"There are so many things to know, read, see and so on. I have been on so many websites,and read lots of material... being that it is getting closer to the time we all have been waiting for, I am putting together a journel for myself and family which contains all of the information I have been gathering. I would like to thank you again for sharing.
Posted by: maryann collins on 06/24/2012
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Mother
Thanks!
Posted by: stacey thomas williams on 11/25/2011
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Mother
Sandra,
Thank you for your insight, I am leaving for SC to see my son graduate this week and this at least gives me some idea of how things work!!
Posted by: Jennifer Curran on 09/05/2011
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Mother
Thank you so very much for the info. My son graduates Oct. 7th and I am so excited. His 19th birthday was Saturday and I wanted so bad to call him and wish him a Happy Birthday. I know this is the first of many that we won't share. I am so proud of him but I miss him so very much.
Posted by: susie ballard on 08/14/2011
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Mother
Thank you so very much for this information! Mom of a parris island recruit!
Posted by: Liz Fruzzetti on 07/29/2011
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Mother
Thank you Sandra for all of that information. My son isn't leaving for bootcamp until November 12, 2011, but it is great to know all of this information. I know that November will be here before I know it. It seems so far, yet so close. I am looking forward to his graduation ceremony which I assume will be in February of the next year.
Posted by: Cheryl Fish on 07/11/2011
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Mother
Hi Cheryl, eventhough I don't know your son or you, please tell him that I'm very proud of him. This country needs strong man and women who are willing to accept big responsabilities like being a marine. I wish him the best luck and God bless every second of his life and always give him the strength that he may need.
Sandra.
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 07/12/2011
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Friend
Can anyone spend that 5 hours with their Marine? My boyfriend will be going to boot camp next summer and we are trying to get everything figured out. We heard that only family could see him at that time and attend his graduation. Please help me on this, thanks.
-Hailey
Posted by: Hailey King on 06/22/2011
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Mother
Hi Hailey, sorry for just responding, but I was out of town. Family and also friends can be at family day and graduation. The only thing is that about 1 or 2 weeks before graduation his parents will receive a package with all the information and a car pass, which they will have to show as they get to the base. You can also drive your car, but there is some type of check in process for the cars that don't have the pass. My whole family went to the graduation and also two friends and no body had any problem.
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 06/26/2011
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Mother
how do I find the PI website you keep referencing? i would love to know my son's schedule, he has been in recruit training for 6 weeks now, thanks & I look forward to your reply
Posted by: Jackie Kelley on 05/03/2011
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Mother
Hi Jackie, this is the link http://www.mcrdpi.usmc.mil/
Click on the Recruit Training Tab and you'll be able to see all the schedules, including The Crucible (which is a week before graduation). Recruit Training Schedule explains what they would do week by week, but if you click on Training Matrix, you can see what they do day by day. In my case, this kept me more connected with my daughter, and I know she loved to read that I know what she was doing and was going to do and that I knew what was about. Also, checking at the schedule you'll pretty much be able to figure out when they'll have family day and graduation. Good luck! Write him a lot of letters, they will never be enough! And specially make him laugh, make him feel proud and to know how proud you are of him. And tell him that even though I don't know him or you that I wish him the best. and that soon he will be a Marine and that pride is something that nobody will be able to take away from him. God bless you and him!
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 05/04/2011
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Mother
Thank you for this information, it is very helpful.
Posted by: Michele Widmer on 04/04/2011
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Mother
Thank you! My son graduates March 11! I can't wait! I specially appreciate the information on where to sit during their march at graduation! I hope your daughter is doing well in MCT. Semper Fi!
Posted by: Marlyn Ramirez on 02/28/2011
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Mother
Hi Marlyn, my daughter just graduated on 2/25. The bleachers at the parade deck are posted by platoon #, and folks are encouraged to sit in their section. The folks that choose to stand off to the side are generally taking pictures, have tripods etc. You have an exciting couple of days ahead of you---enjoy every moment and congratulations to you and your new Marine!:)
Posted by: Jill Sines on 03/02/2011
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Family
For those heading to graduation, ask your Marine to show you where they will be for the graduation ceremony. If you have time for a letter, ask for a platoon order and diagram of where they are. If no time for a letter, then ask them on family day-we actually stayed around the parade ground at the end of family day, and were able to watch the platoons form up for graduation rehearsal. Also, posters and overly-exuberant cheering will not be appreciated at the graduation ceremony, but are wonderful for the moto run on the morning of family day.
Posted by: Rob and April Kersch on 01/29/2011
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Mother
@ Rob and April. Wow! That was great. I wish I knew it. I was just trying to find the closest place to PI. My whole family went to my daughter's graduation and instead to stay in a hotel we could rent a house. But, we are coming back because my husband and I liked the place a lot and we were also planning to go to Hilton Head Island, I've heard that it's very nice. So, thank you for the information, we'll definitely use it.
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 01/27/2011
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Family
For vacation rentals in the Beaufort, SC area, try: http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/south-carolina/low-country-resort-islands and use their interactive map. We did a vacation rental in Beaufort and were so happy we did. we slept 7 for 4 days for about $525. That wasn't even the low price end, so you can do even better than that.
Posted by: Rob and April Kersch on 01/27/2011
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Mother
You're welcome Kathy. Good luck! Congratulations to your New Marine and the rest of the family. Do you know if he's going to Jacksonville for MCT? If so, my advice for him is to visit this website http://www.kevinwebb22.com/marine-corps-training/marine-combat-training-schedule-mct. This website was made for a PFC based on his experience in the Corps. I found it the day before my daughter left for MCT, and at least helped her to get prepared for the cold during the training. I don't know if you have Costco membership, if not, try to find in another store, maybe walmart some warm pads. My daughter took a box with her, and since they were allowed to be visited during christmas I brought two more boxes (1 for feet and 1 for hands) My daughter told me that saved her a little from the freezing temperatures.
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 01/24/2011
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Mother
Thank you Sandra for all the information. It is a great help. I will be leaving on Tuesday to see my son Edwards Graduation on January 28th. I cant wait to see him. All of his letters were so upbeat. He wrote to his grandfather during the holidays and said he was missing all of his desserts that he brings. Then he proceeds about all the pies and pastries. Then he proceeds with ALL THE CONOLIES....... Can you tell the he is Italian.... He loves those Conolies... He ended with wait, wait I have to stop. I am getting to hungry.....lol
He is such a wonderful son and now such a wonderful Marine....Only one more day before we leave........ Yeah..... :)
Thank you Again,
Kathy Mahon
mom
Posted by: Kathleen Mahon on 01/23/2011
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Mother
@ Tammy. It makes me happy to know that I can help. You know, when I went to Laura's graduation I didn't think about vacation rental. We reserved two rooms in the Days Inn. I'm going to try to download the graduation video, or at least part of it and a picture so you guys can have a better idea of the sitting. We sat at that side of the field because we couldn't find a place front to the formation, and ended up being the best place.
Happy Holidays to all!
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 12/22/2010
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Mother
Thank you so much for this information. I can use all the helpful insight I can get. I have been searching for vacation rentals for the entire family to go down. The times and where to sit are very important to me because it seems I always choose the wrong side to sit on. My son Zack graduates on Feb.25th. God Bless you and your family! Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season.
Posted by: Tammy Labriola on 12/21/2010
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Mother
Hi Barbara, I know exactly how you feel. I get excited everytime I hear about a new recruit graduating. I guess because now that my daughter is a Marine I know for what they go through to earn that title, and also I feel very happy for the proud parents of the Future Marine.
Did your son tell you if the date for The Crucible changed? In his case it will start on Thursday, December 30th, so maybe because de New Year Holiday it will start sooner. I know my daughter was very nervous about the crucible, but at the same time she was happy it was going to be sooner than expected.
Good luck and I'm very happy to know you are going to see Chris very soon! Happy holidays to you and your family as well. God bless you all!
Posted by: Sandra Burns on 12/21/2010
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Mother
Sandra........Thanks so much for all this information. Very helpful. Best wishes to you and your Marine daughter. God Bless your family and Merry Christmas. My recruit son, Chris, graduates from PI on January 7. I'm so looking forward to it with much anticipation.
Posted by: Barbara Martini on 12/20/2010
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