Welcome to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego
LOCATION
MCRD San Diego, nestled on only 506 acres of the same territory as San Diego's Lindberg Field airport, is located in downtown San Diego. If arriving by car from the North or South on I-5, take the clearly marked exits for the Depot, the main entrance is on Witherby Street, which crosses under Pacific Highway as it approaches the base from the East. Alternate gated entrance points are on Washington Street to the South, and Barnett Avenue to the North.
HISTORY
The Marine Corps Base at San Diego is surrounded by evidences of the Spanish heritage of southern California. The picturesque architecture may be seen, not only in the city, but also in the permanent buildings of today's Marine Corps Recruit Depot. This is a natural consequence of the fact that California was a Spanish possession for nearly three centuries. It remained under Spanish control until 1821, when Mexico won her independence from Spain. Thereafter, for about a quarter of a century, California was claimed by Mexico.
Westward expansion of the United States brought the Marines into their first contact with San Diego. The town was seized by a landing party of seamen and Marines from the USS CYANE on 29 July 1846, shortly after war had broken out between the United States and Mexico. It was in this operation that the Stars and Stripes was first raised in southern California. Sixty years later, on 19 December 1914, Colonel Joseph H. Pendleton reported by telegram to Marine Corps Headquarters that the Marine Barracks, San Diego, had been established that date.
After World War II, the principal activity on the Marine Corps Base proper was that of the recruit depot. Official cognizance was taken of this fact in the form of re-designation of the base, effective 1 January 1948, as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.
The MCRD Command Museum, located in Building 26, boasts one of the most extensive and comprehensive displays of Marine Corps historical items in the United States. Please call (619) 524-4426 for hours and special program information, or visit the website.
MISSION
Physical restrictions have allowed for few changes at the Recruit Depot in recent years, but training procedures and techniques have been modified to take in the recruit prospects and produce the highest quality graduate, a basic Marine. Drill instructors have been picked with extreme care and thoroughly indoctrinated in the procedures required to assure the proper mental and physical training of each recruit. The drill instructor utilizes example and other leadership techniques to gradually bring his platoon from the recruit status to that of a Marine ready for whatever may be required of him. The San Diego Recruit Depot produces Marines possessed of the best of past experience together with the mental and physical dexterity provided by the latest Marine instructional techniques and equipment.
As always, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego and its allied installations in the San Diego area have stood ready, with the rest of the Marine Corps, to do their part in honoring the tradition of their service as being "the first to fight."
POPULATION SERVED
Personnel assigned to MCRD San Diego:
MCRD San Diego - Military (Marines/Sailors, Incl. WFTB)
Approx. 7500, Civilian, Approx. 1300
U.S. Coast Guard - PACAREA TACLET - Military 75, Civilians 10
U.S. Coast Guard - MSST 91109 - Military 100, Civilians 10
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsorship for inbound personnel is coordinated between the Consolidated Personnel Administration Center and the MCC work section. Personnel should contact their sponsor as soon as possible prior to their arrival for duty. Relocation assistance is available for inbound service members, the RAP office can be contacted at (619) 524-5298 or DSN 524-5298.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS
Depot Transient Billeting is located at Building 625 on Tripoli Avenue. Call (619) 524-4401 for information.
If no quarters are available at Transient Billeting, other temporary lodging may be secured at one of the two area Navy Lodges - Naval Station San Diego or Naval Air Station North Island, or at the Marine Corps Lodge at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar - (858) 271-7111.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE
Welcome Aboard packages are typically issued according to an in-bound roster provided by the Consolidated Personnel Administration Center, however, individual direct requests will be honored. A limited-item lending locker is available to you if your household goods have not arrived by the time you check-in or have secured formal housing.
The Relocation Assistance Office can be reached at (619) 524-5298, or DSN 524-528. To learn more about the MCRD San Diego, please visit the Depot website and the Marine Corps Community Services website.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION
Access to the Depot is structured on Thursdays and Fridays of graduation weeks in order to accommodate the large number of visitors. Please follow the directions of the PMO Marines at the entrance gates in order to assure the most expeditious access to the base. Also be advised that the Provost Marshal's Office rigorously enforces traffic regulations aboard the Depot, please adhere to speed limits and make complete stops at marked intersections.