Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego |
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| San Diego, California | |
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Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historic District
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 Location in San Diego County, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | S of jct. of Barnett Ave. and Pacific Hwy., San Diego, California |
| Area | 110 acres (45 ha) |
| Architect | Goodhue, Bertram G.; Dawson Construction Co. |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001477 |
| Added to NRHP | January 31, 1991 |
| Type | Military base |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by |  United States Marine Corps |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1919 |
| In use | 1919–present |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander |
BGen Ryan P. Heritage |
| Garrison | Recruit training Drill instructor training Recruiter training |
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (often called MCRD San Diego) is a special military base in San Diego, California. It's located near San Diego Bay, the airport, and a former Navy training center.
This base is where new male and female recruits (people joining the military) from the western United States get their first training to become Marines. More than 21,000 recruits train here every year. MCRD San Diego is also home to schools for Marine Corps recruiters and drill instructors.
Contents
History of MCRD San Diego
Early Days and Founding
Marines first came to San Diego in 1846 during the Mexican–American War. They landed from ships like the USS Savannah. Marines returned in 1914, but work on a permanent base didn't start until March 2, 1919.
A Congressman named William Kettner first suggested building the base. It became a reality thanks to Colonel Joseph Henry Pendleton, who later became a general. The base was built on an area called Dutch Flats.
Building Design and Purpose
The buildings were designed by architect Bertram Goodhue. They have a Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style was also used for buildings at the 1915 Panama–California Exposition.
The base and its first buildings are now listed as historic places. In 1921, the base officially opened. By 1923, it became the main training center for Marine recruits from the western U.S.
Growth and Naming
During World War II, many more recruits came to the base. In one month, 18,000 new recruits arrived. In 1948, the base was officially named Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego
What is Recruit Training?
The main job of MCRD San Diego is to train new United States Marine Corps recruits. This includes most males from west of the Mississippi River. Some recruits from areas like Wisconsin, Michigan, Chicago, and New Orleans also train here.
Until 2021, all female recruits trained at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Now, MCRD San Diego also trains female recruits.
The Training Process
Recruit training lasts for thirteen weeks. During this time, recruits learn to live like a Marine. They are cut off from their normal civilian lives.
Drill instructors teach recruits many skills. These include:
- How to use weapons
- Marine Corps martial arts
- Personal cleanliness
- Close order drill (marching)
- Marine Corps history
Training also focuses a lot on physical fitness. Recruits must pass a Physical Fitness Test to graduate. They also need to pass swimming tests and learn to shoot the M16A4 service rifle.
The Crucible and Graduation
The training ends with a 54-hour simulated combat exercise called "The Crucible." Recruits leave the base to do field training at Edson Range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Here, they practice shooting and go through The Crucible.
After The Crucible, recruits return to MCRD San Diego for "Marine week" and then graduation. On December 14, 2020, the base agreed to train female recruits. The first group of 60 female recruits started training in February 2021.
Other Facilities and Organizations
Schools and Teams
Besides recruit training, MCRD San Diego has other important facilities. It is home to the Drill Instructor's School for the Western Recruiting Region. It also has the Recruiter's School for the entire Marine Corps.
The Coast Guard also has teams here. These include the Pacific Area Tactical Law Enforcement Team and the Maritime Safety and Security Team. The base also has the MCRD San Diego Command Museum.
Past Schools
In the past, other important Marine Corps schools were at MCRD. One was the "Sea School," which trained Marines for duty on Navy ships. The Communications and Electronics School was also once located here.
The Parade Deck
The parade deck at MCRD San Diego is a key part of recruit training. It is also a memorial to veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the War on Terror. It separates the recruit training area from other schools and offices on the base.
Future of MCRD San Diego
Why Closure Was Considered
Some politicians have suggested closing MCRD San Diego. This is mainly because the land it sits on is very valuable. It's right next to the city's harbor and airport.
In 2005, a group called the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission asked why MCRD San Diego was not on a list to be closed. They wondered if training could be combined with the Parris Island depot. They noted that the Navy and Air Force had combined training without problems.
Why It Remains Open
The Marine Corps strongly resists closing the base. The parade deck is a memorial to veterans. Also, moving the depot would be very expensive.
In 2005, the acting Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon R. England, explained why it should stay open. He said closing San Diego would mean only one training base (Parris Island). This would be risky because Parris Island is vulnerable to hurricanes. He also said it would take over 100 years to get back the money spent on moving the base.
Film and TV Appearances
- The 1970 TV movie Tribes shows recruit training at MCRD San Diego during the Vietnam War era. Parts of the movie were filmed on location at the base.
- The opening of the 1960s TV show Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. shows recruits marching on the parade deck at MCRD San Diego.
- The silent movie Tell It to the Marines, starring Lon Chaney, was partly filmed at MCRD San Diego. It's about a Marine sergeant and a recruit who like the same nurse.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- Fahey, John Edward (1974). History of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego 1911-1974, Masters Thesis, History Department, University of San Diego. Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
Images for kids
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Recruit's training matrix
See also
In Spanish: Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego para niños
