If it's new on the What's After Boot website, you'll find an announcement about it here. We bring new resources, events and information to the website frequently.
6/2/2023
On June 2, 1918, the German 28th Division attacked American troops on the Paris-Metz Road, hitting the American 2nd Division, including the 4th Marine Brigade. The Marines opened fire with deadly accuracy, helping hand German troops a setback that set the stage for Marine victory at Belleau Wood which would soon follow.
6/1/2023
It is with great sadness that we share with you, Dale Larson passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020. Dale was the Manager of our outreach program, Warrior Support Team, at Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California.
6/1/2023
The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD) has designated June as PTSD awareness month, a time to recognize and raise awareness of the struggles faced by those suffering from PTSD, an issue that many warriors struggle with upon returning from combat.
According to the National Center for PTSD, between 10 and 20 percent of veterans who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom will suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. Male veterans are more likely to suffer from PTSD than female veterans.
5/30/2023
Our States Resources database includes useful information for Marine Corps family members and Veterans including VA Hospital locations, Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) locations, and military Veteran organizations.
5/30/2023
You may be a lucky parent and receive a lot of mail from your recruit. Many are not so lucky, as recruits are very busy during boot camp and will likely be using every spare moment to study and get caught up on work related to becoming a Marine. Recruits are given time to write, but it is up to each individual recruit to choose what he or she needs to do during that free time.
5/30/2023
Marines are known for being adaptable and creative. So what are some of the advancements they’re trying out to improve in the field? This video explains some recent technologies to make tools lighter, faster, and deadlier for the Marine Corps. Narrated by Todd South, Editor-at-Large for Military Times.
5/29/2023
On May 29, 1991, elements of a joint task force that included the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade departed the South Asian nation of Bangladesh after nearly two weeks of disaster relief operations following Cyclone Marian, which resulted in more than 136,000 fatalities. The task force delivered relief supplies using helicopters, C-130s, and landing craft in Operation Sea Angel.
5/29/2023
Monday, May 29, 2023, is Memorial Day, a day dedicated to honoring and remembering American service members who died in service of this country. We encourage everyone to take some time that day to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made on a daily basis for more than two centuries by those who protect our freedoms and way of life around the world.
Please ask those you are gathered with today to pause for a moment of silence to honor and remember the sacrifices so many have made for our freedom. We can never forget those who gave their lives; the past, present, and future generations of America's warriors.
While MarineParents.com, Inc. may not be as large as some of the other military-based organizations you may be familiar with, we make up for what we lack in size with consistency. For more than 20 years now, we've made it our mission to provide support, information, and services to our men and women in uniform and their family members.
Whether it's been sending family members to boot camp graduations, providing financial assistance to military families, helping troops and their family members through difficult times in other ways, and providing a place to connect and share, we're here.
None of what we do would be possible without our freedom. Our freedom would not be possible without the ultimate sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. Today is the day to remember and honor those who gave all.
5/29/2023
Did you know that we've got literature kits to send to you for your poolees and parents? We ship literature kits to recruiters at no charge. Parents of poolees and recruits love the presentation folders and the matrix! Each kit includes 30 sets of literature.
We want to ensure you know about your Marine Parents Travel Assistance for Recruit Graduations. Did you know we provide monetary assistance to a family member who may not otherwise be able to attend their recruit's graduation from boot camp? There is no more work on your part; please pass on the information.
Thank you so much. These packages that you have sent have helped out a lot. I've been sending them to each of my poolees' parents when they're about to ship, and they said that your website had helped them out a lot. SSgt Mendoza, RSS El Paso West, 2015
5/28/2023
The Crucible is a test every recruit must go through to become a Marine. It tests every recruit physically, mentally, and morally and is the defining experience of recruit training. The Crucible takes place over 54 hours and includes food, sleep deprivation, and over 45 miles of marching. The Crucible event pits teams of recruits against a barrage of day and night events requiring every recruit to work together to solve problems, overcome obstacles, and help each other along the way.
5/28/2023
The Marine Corps flag is scarlet and shows the Marine Corps emblem, which contains a fouled anchor, a globe displaying the western hemisphere, and a spread American Bald Eagle atop the globe. A ribbon held in the eagle's beak carries the Marine motto, "Semper Fidelis," (Latin for "always faithful"). Below the emblem, a larger ribbon holds the title, "United States Marine Corps."
The history of the Marine Corps flag is long and diverse. There is little information available about the flags carried by early Marines, although there is evidence that the "Grand Union" flag was carried ashore by a battalion led by Captain Samuel Nicholas on New Providence Island, Bahamas, in March of 1776. The "Rattlesnake" flag may have also been carried on that expedition.
5/28/2023
Your loved ones have enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and now YOUR journey begins as well. As they get ready to leave for boot camp they are busy preparing for their career as one of "The Few, The Proud." One of the most important steps for loved ones at home is already completed! You have joined Recruit Parents and are well on your way to becoming informed, educated and supported by others experiencing the same emotions.
5/27/2023
Semper Gumby in the Marine Corps means "Always Flexible" and is a play on the Marine Corps slogan "Semper Fidelis" or "Semper Fi" meaning "Always Faithful". In the Marine Corps, whether a family member or a Marine, we quickly learn that Semper Gumby is a way of life! He's a true icon of the Marine Corps family.
5/27/2023
There are literally thousands of acronyms in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and all branches of the military and there are hundreds of new terms to learn. This reference is a starting point for recruit families—those that are most important to learn during recruit training. After graduation, there are additional resources with more terminology on the primary website for MarineParents.com. But these are the most important to learn at this time.
5/27/2023
The Marine Corps has a long and illustrious history dating back to November 10, 1775. Over the years Marines have picked up nicknames like "Devil Dog" and "Leatherneck" and have adopted phrases "Semper Fidelis," "the Few, the Proud," and "Esprit de Corps." From the Marines' Hymn to the famous Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem, there is much to learn about the terminology of the Corps.
5/26/2023
When it comes to Personal Security (PERSEC), there seems to be some confusion about what it is and how it can affect a Marine and their families on a daily basis. So we're going to attempt to clear it up.
First of all, PERSEC is similar but is NOT OPSEC. OPSEC deals more with the day-to-day operations going on in the Marine Corps. This can be for anything from deployment dates to weapons serial numbers to troop movements.
On the other hand, there is PERSEC. PERSEC deals more with each individual's personal security and how they safeguard their own personal information. We will talk about how it relates to deployments and social media, and how we can better protect ourselves from giving up our personal information.
The Marine Corps does not enforce PERSEC regulations as strictly as they do for OPSEC. However, that does not make PERSEC less important than OPSEC. If safety, in general, is important to you then you should be taking PERSEC seriously.
5/26/2023
On May 26, 1969, Operation Pipestone Canyon began when the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, and 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines began sweeps in the "Dodge City"/Go Noi areas southwest of Da Nang, Vietnam. 610 enemy troops, as well as 34 Marines, were killed during the operation, which ended approximately one month later, in late June.
5/26/2023
Making your travel plans to San Diego or Parris Island is easy enough, but what about your soon-to-be Marine? Will he/she travel back home with you for 10-day leave? How do you know what time to arrange flights?
If you didn't discuss this with your recruit prior to leaving for boot camp, and most of us did not, and the letters you're getting from your recruit aren't giving you the answers you need, where do you turn?
5/25/2023
All service members receive training in the U.S. military's Code of Conduct at various times in their careers.
The Code of Conduct, which was introduced by President Eisenhower in 1955, is based on time-honored concepts and traditions dating back to the American Revolution.
The six articles outline the obligations and responsibilities of U.S. service members in harm's way.
5/25/2023
The Marine Corps demands a lot from Marines, both physically and mentally. Physical training can take a toll on the body. The mental stress, whether a Marine has been in combat or not, can take a toll on the mind. Medical conditions can persist to a point that a Marine would be rendered unfit for duty and then be medically separated or retired.
5/25/2023
The Marine Corps has made it a common practice to remove wisdom teeth during boot camp. While every situation is different, the reasons are usually the same.
MarineParents.com Founder and executive director, Tracy Della Vecchia, has told a story of her son, Derrick, getting his wisdom teeth removed while he was in the Marine Corps. Only, Derrick's wisdom teeth weren't removed during boot camp. His unit was in Japan conducting training when his were removed. Soon after, the unit got the call that they were going to Iraq. Derrick sat on the plane with bloody rags in his mouth and spent his first few days in combat healing. There are many stories out there just like this one. So if your recruit has to get their wisdom teeth removed in boot camp, be thankful; it's much better than on deployment.
5/24/2023
The first appearance of the “battlefield cross” is not a known fact. Some believe it may have been during the Civil War where it may have been used to signify the location of a dead soldier to be collected and buried during which time they would call a temporary truce.
5/24/2023
Health insurance is just one of the many benefits offered in the Marine Corps. The health insurance offered to Marines has many complexities and at times can be confusing, and with that comes a lot of questions from parents. When to take your recruit/Marine off your insurance? When does your recruit/Marines' insurance take effect? What if your recruit/Marine is a reservist? Not only should Marines be aware of the benefits that are available to them, but their families should also be educated on them as well.
5/24/2023
The Marine Corps' primary mission is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, as well as to repel an assault by fire and close combat during amphibious assaults and subsequent operations ashore. Combat-ready Marines must be skilled in tactics and highly proficient in firearms.
5/23/2023
During Firing Week, the second week of marksmanship training, recruits begin before sunrise, preparing their rifles and themselves to shoot the known-distance course of fire.
Recruits prepare for rifle qualification day by firing rounds of both slow fire (one shot at a time) and rapid-fire (10 shots in a row). Recruits fire from four shooting positions at ranges of 200, 300, and 500 yards.
5/23/2023
We’re holding a fundraiser to keep our doors open and continue to serve the Marine Corps community. We have helped thousands of Marines and hundreds of thousands of family members. Today, we need your help.
Click the image to learn more and donate, or Click to Donate Using PayPal.
a Place to Connect & Share® is a registered trademark of the United States Marine Corps. Used with permission.
With the combined wisdom of you and your team at MarineParents.com, I feel I have "grown up" as a Marine parent, and I am grateful for that. Thank you for your service.— Julie Arca, Marine Mom, 2011
5/23/2023
On May 23, 1988, the V-22 Osprey, the world's first production tilt-rotor aircraft, made its debut at Bell Helicopter Textron's Arlington, Texas, facility. More than 1,000 representatives from the military, the aviation industry, and the media gathered to hear various speakers, including then-Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Alfred Gray, praise the versatility of the aircraft.
5/22/2023
This article was written by a Marine in our office probably ten years ago. This is as true today as the day it was written. It was written for parents of recruits in boot camp, but it's a good review for parents with a son or daughter in any stage of their career in the Marine Corps. Read and share!
5/22/2023
Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. In boot camp at Parris Island and San Diego, and at The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, all Marines, enlisted and officer, receive instruction in proper rifle usage and maintenance. Additionally, all Marines must memorize the Rifleman's Creed, which was created in 1942 by Marine Brigadier General William H. Rupertus, the then-Commanding General of Marine Corps Base San Diego, after he (Rupertus) had decided that his men must be made to understand,
...that the only weapon which stands between them and Death is the rifle...they must understand that their rifle is their life...it must become a creed with them.
5/22/2023
On May 22, 1912, First Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham became the first Marine officer to be assigned to "duty in connection with aviation" by Major General Commandant William P. Biddle after reporting for aviation training at the Naval Aviation Camp at Annapolis, Maryland. This marked the official beginning of the Marine aviation program.
5/21/2023
We need your help this year to continue our services for 2023. Help ensure our online services and support are here for recruit and Marine family members in the year 2023. You can make a one-time donation, monthly donation, or donate using your PayPal account. Click the image to donate.
Over 93% of our income goes to program use with 100% of donations supporting outreach services. We've been supporting warriors and their family members since 2003 as an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. Receipts are sent via email or US Mail for all donations.
5/21/2023
5/21/2023
Read this story from the Founder of MarineParents.com, Tracy Della Vecchia. Included in the article on Recruit Parents are videos of the transformation from the Marine Corps.
My son was a Recruit in boot camp on 9/11. He'd been there two weeks. The time between then and when he graduated on November 21, 2001, seemed to last forever. I was glued to the news and wanted a letter from him every day. I only got three letters and two very short phone calls.
5/20/2023
CONGRATULATIONS to Emily Joran who recently completed 40+ hours of training as part of ongoing professional development as a volunteer for the official MarineParents.com Facebook Groups in support of our Marine Corps family members and a place to connect and share®!
5/20/2023
This page is a great reference for those who want to learn military acronyms and abbreviations. The military uses many acronyms that troops must learn. There are some that are specific to a branch, including the Marine Corps.
5/20/2023
We need your help this year to continue our services for 2023. Help ensure our online services and support are here for recruit and Marine family members in the year 2023. You can make a one-time donation, monthly donation, or donate using your PayPal account. Click the image to donate.
Over 93% of our income goes to program use with 100% of donations supporting outreach services. We've been supporting warriors and their family members since 2003 as an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. Receipts are sent via email or US Mail for all donations.
5/19/2023
We've been helping Marine Corps family members navigate the Marine Corps for 20 years. We're your trusted source for information in civilian terms. For help navigating our website, use this map of pages on MarineParents.com: a Place to Connect & Share®.
5/19/2023
Spend pick-up day, more notoriously known as "Black Friday", with these recruits and their drill instructors. This is the first afternoon where recruits spend quality time with their drill instructors.
5/19/2023
MCMAP training teaches Marines the skills required in unarmed combat, weapons of opportunity, rifle and bayonet tactics, and edged weapon techniques. It focuses on hand-to-hand combat, the combat mindset, combat conditioning, and close-quarters fighting. Mental, character, and physical aspects are three disciplines emphasized in the martial arts program.
5/18/2023
Your journey with your Marine will lead you to more questions. And we've got answers on our website. On every page of our websites, we've got a search tool. Enter the subject in the search box, and it will search all of our websites for the answer.
5/18/2023
Reading Books from the CRL (Commandant's Reading List) can help with promotions. How a Marine demonstrates completion of this annual requirement will be at the discretion of the commander, whether it be through a book report or guided discussion.
5/18/2023
4/10/2009 by Lance Corporal Ed G., MCRDPI.
As the air brakes hiss, hearts beat faster, palms sweat, breaths become shorter and a bus of hopeful recruits are unified by the fear of the unknown.
These are the experiences of so many recruits who have passed through Parris Island's main gate.
5/17/2023
L.I.N.K.S. is an acronym that stands for Lifestyle Insights, Networking, Knowledge, and Skills. It is a program to help families of Marines and Sailors become more familiar with the customs and everyday lifestyle of the military. The classes are available to military personnel as well as spouses, parents, and children of Marines and Sailors. These class
5/17/2023
This page of our website includes several great articles to read during the first week your recruit is in boot camp. In the Marine Corps, a recruit must earn the title of United States Marine. A recruit is not a Marine when they enlist. A recruit is not a Marine when they step on the yellow footprints.
5/17/2023
Enrolling for health benefits through the VA is typically a very time-consuming and confusing process. We would recommend that you speak with someone who has already gone through the process, or with a patient service representative (PSR) at the VA before beginning the enrollment process. Remember, you are not alone in this process and there is always some sort of assistance to be provided if you are lost. The paperwork is time-consuming, and you will need your DD214 along with additional documents to verify your eligibility.
5/16/2023
If you have a family emergency during your Marine's deployment or while your recruit is at boot camp, and feel you need to contact the recruit/Marine, your best course of action is to contact the American Red Cross. Please be aware that contact from the Red Cross will alert your Marine to a serious condition at home. The Red Cross has guidelines they must follow for qualifying emergency notification to your Marine.
5/16/2023
This is an awesome song and an awesome singer. Worth watching!
5/16/2023
On May 16, 1945, the 22nd and 29th Marines continued an attack against Half Moon Hill, a day that the 6th Marine Division would later describe as the "bitterest" of the entire Okinawa campaign. By May 18, the famed Japanese "Shuri line" was breached by American forces.
5/15/2023
Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal is one of the most legendary Marines in Marine Corps history. While he is most well-known for the iconic photograph of him being helped from a building in Fallujah, Iraq by two of his Marines, he is equally well-known by Marines for his leadership and courage.
5/15/2023
Recruits spend a great deal of time in the classroom during recruit training and, during weeks 10 and 11 of boot camp, they must prove they have retained the abundance of information they were taught. Recruits must perform a Final Practical Application Test, as well as a Final Written Academic Test.
5/14/2023
Though your recruit may move from one location to another during boot camp, you will always use the same mailing address for him or her.
The first letter you receive from your recruit will be a form letter. This letter should arrive in your mailbox approximately 10-14 days after they leave. The form letter should include your recruit's mailing address.
5/14/2023
When formal training (boot camp, School of Infantry, and military occupational schooling) is complete, each Marine is assigned to a Permanent Duty Station (PDS).
Your Marine may be stationed at any number of permanent duty stations around the world, depending on his or her Military Occupational Specialty (the job that your Marine will do while in the Corps).
5/14/2023
Adopted in 1859, the United States Marine Corps NCO sword is carried by Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs).
Currently used solely for ceremonial purposes, the M1859 NCO sword was introduced by the sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps, Colonel John Harris in recognition of the leadership of NCOs/SNCOs in combat.
5/13/2023
Our ten rules for posting in our Facebook groups have been around for a long time; nearly 20 years. They're tried and true. We firmly believe that our 10 posting rules help to keep our military safe and help to keep you and your Marine's personal information safe. We hope you'll follow our rules in all social media platforms your participate in!
5/13/2023
Marine Corps boot camp recruits receive the best training possible and are cared for throughout their thirteen weeks on the Recruit Depot. Every base, including Religious Ministries, is covered from injury prevention and dental treatment to recruit pay and the Thrift Savings Plan.
5/13/2023
The USMC is organized with two parallel chains of command, service and operational. The Service chain begins with the President, through the Secretary of Defense, and continues through the Secretary of the Navy and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The operational chain runs from the President, through the Secretary of Defense, directly to commanders of combatant commands for missions and forces assigned to their commands.
5/12/2023
By now you've likely heard some new terminologies from your recruit or through reading information about the Marine Corps. While trying to get yourself wrapped around the meanings of some of these new terms, you may be seeing the same theme throughout, but you've not really been successful at labeling that term.
5/12/2023
Do you have a family member in training to be a Marine Corps officer? We have a growing section of our website dedicated to helping you find the information you need. That includes this page, which includes report/graduation dates for Officer Candidate School and The Basic School.
5/12/2023
Photos are worth a thousand words and who doesn't love seeing photos of mascot bulldogs? Ooh Rah!
5/11/2023
It's a question often asked by new Marine and Navy parents, what is the relationship between the Navy and the Marine Corps? The Navy provides support to the Marines through Navy Docs, Chaplains, and Transportation by ship, among other things. This page on our website looks at the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps organization.
5/11/2023
In the Marine Corps, "Combat Hunter" is more than just a title, it's a mindset. It's a challenge for Marines to be more intuitive and more aware of their surroundings. The "Combat Hunter" course is designed to teach Marines how to track targets, friendly or enemy, by noticing differences in the environment around them.
Marines are taught three main skills throughout the Combat Hunter course: tracking, observation, and profiling. These skills are the foundation of the program and teach Marines to be aware of dangers at all times. The observation and pattern analysis skills inherent to hunting help Marines identify a threat, reduce the risk of casualties, and increase their chances of survival. Marines learn to balance movement with stealth and speed. They are taught to take into consideration how they could be viewed by a target on a potential landscape and to take advantage of concealment when possible.
5/11/2023
CONGRATULATIONS to Robin Scott who recently completed 40+ hours of training to become one of our newest volunteers for the official MarineParents.com Facebook Groups in support of our Marine Corps family members and a place to connect and share®!
5/10/2023
On Friday, May 5, 2023, Marine Parents Travel Assistance sent Cynthia, Mother of a recruit, to Parris Island for the recruit's graduation from Mike Company to become a Marine.
This hug is my absolute favorite picture of my life! Circumstances changed surrounding graduation and leave several times due to an injury. In the end, my Marine graduated and we ended up getting to spend the weekend together in Beaufort. He was not able to come home for leave due to the injury but the travel assistance helped so much since we were faced with extra days of food and lodging that were totally unexpected. I cannot thank you all enough for easing the burden a little! Thank you! Cynthia, New Marine Mother
5/10/2023
On May 10, 1945, the 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, executed a pre-dawn attack across the Asa River Estuary and captured a bridgehead that allowed them to continue their attack toward Naha, the capital of Okinawa.
5/9/2023
On Friday, April 21, 2023 Marine Parents Travel Assistance sent Ann, Mother of a recruit, to San Diego for the recruit's graduation from Kilo Company to become a Marine.
Thank you to the Marine Parents Travel Assistance program! Because of your assistance, I was able to attend my son's graduation in San Diego. Thank you! Ann, New Marine Mother
5/9/2023
Town and Country Resort, located in San Diego’s Mission Valley neighborhood, is just 2 miles to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and offers a comfortable and fun option for military families. Recently renovated with an authentic mid-century modern design and a friendly Southern California vibe, the resort is an ideal home base for a San Diego stay.
The resort offers a comfortable guestroom, 3 pools, a 4-story waterslide named “Twister,” 5 restaurants and bars, a penthouse fitness center with Peloton bikes, and 19 fire pits. It is pet and family-friendly with a 3-acre attached park and a host of family activities. The resort is within walking distance of Fashion Valley Mall and provides easy access to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, beaches, and area attractions.
Making Reservations
Special rates for military families are available when you book using the RESERVE link:
5/8/2023
While your son or daughter is preparing to leave for recruit training it is important that they ensure there is a plan for how their bills will be paid while they're gone. Some services will allow your recruit to put payments on suspension while at recruit training, however they will have to check with those services beforehand.
5/8/2023
On May 8, 1995, Marines from Marine Forces Reserve demonstrated the Corps' quick-response capabilities in helping evacuate more than 2,500 civilians from the New Orleans area after one of the most devastating storms in more than 200 years hit the region.
5/4/2023
The final step of joining the Marine Corps before departing for boot camp or Officer Candidate School is being sworn in by repeating the enlisted or officer Oath.
5/4/2023
After a Marine is married it's important that they enroll their spouse in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) so that they will be eligible to receive the benefits available to them.
5/4/2023
During the first two weeks of recruit training, recruits will send home a letter stating they've made it to MCRD and will provide an address for which to receive mail.
All mail is routed through the only mail office on the depot. Your mail will not reach your recruit without the correct COMPANY AND PLATOON NUMBER. The mail office will see that information and sort the mail to that company and platoon. The company and platoon information will be listed on the letter your recruit sends home about 2 - 3 weeks into training.
5/3/2023
The mission of MarineParents.com is to provide support, information, and services to recruit and Marine family members and troops over the course of the life-cycle of your recruit or Marine's career in the Corps.
This sentiment is reflected in our Marine Corps Career icon. From the time your future Marine is a poolee, through boot camp, the school of infantry and military occupational schooling, permanent duty stations, and deployments. Then after your Marine's time in the Corps or if he or she is recovering from wounds or injuries sustained while serving, we have information for every step of the journey.
5/3/2023
Sometimes graduation videos and yearbooks can get lost or damaged. If this happened to you and you want to get new ones, this page will help you find the contact information for those who make the videos and yearbooks.
5/3/2023
Not every Marine that serves their country is a United States citizen. At least not always right away. There are different scenarios where a Marine can obtain citizenship from their service. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have outlined how Marines and their spouses can become citizens through military service.
