Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
Parents often have many questions when their child has shown an interest in becoming a Marine, or is preparing to leave for recruit training. Below are some of the most common questions parents have.
When will I hear from my recruit?
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Recruits are required to make one phone call the night they arrive to inform their next-of-kin or recruiter they’ve made it to training safely. After the initial phone call, all correspondence is made through letters and postcards.
Recruits will send their first letter home seven to nine days after they arrive. The letter will include their mailing address with company and platoon information.
When will I see my recruit again?
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You can see your recruit during liberty on Family Day, the day before Graduation.
Can I visit my recruit?
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You may not visit your recruit until Family Day, the day before Graduation.
Who do I contact if I have questions about getting in touch with my recruit?
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The best person to contact is your recruit’s recruiter.
How do I send my recruit mail?
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Recruits will send their first letter home seven to nine days after they arrive. The letter will include their mailing address with company and platoon information.
How do I notify my recruit in the case of an emergency?
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If a message is required to notify a recruit of an emergency situation at any time during recruit training, please contact American Red Cross Emergency Communication Services.
Can recruits make phone calls, send email, or use the internet?
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Recruits are required to make one phone call the night they arrive to inform their next of kin or recruiter they’ve made it to training safely. After the initial phone call, all correspondence is made through letters and postcards.
New Marines can make personal calls and use the internet during on-base liberty on the Sunday after the Crucible, the following Saturday and Sunday, and the Thursday immediately before graduation.
How does my Marine get home?
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Marines can drive, fly, or take a bus with their families. If you plan on taking a bus or flight home and will not be purchasing tickets for your Marine, provide them with your travel itinerary as soon as possible so SATO Travel can try to match his or her travel plans with yours.
How does my Marine get to the SOI?
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Marines will receive a set of orders when they leave training telling them exactly when, where, and how to get to their next duty station. All recruits are required to book commercial travel from their leave location to Camp Lejeune.
What happens after Graduation?
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Marines receive one day of travel and ten days of leave after Graduation before attending the School of Infantry (SOI). Marines participating in the Recruiter Assistance program will receive up to thirty days of leave before attending the SOI.
Those with an Infantry Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) are trained at Infantry Training Battalion (ITB) over the course of 52 days, and those with a non-Infantry MOS are trained at Marine Combat Training Battalion (MCT) over the course of 29 days.
Upon completion of SOI, non-Infantry MOS Marines attend their MOS school, which varies in length, graduation requirements, and locations. All Marines are then assigned to a unit with a Permanent Duty Station (PDS).
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