Preparing for Marine Corps Boot Camp Graduation: MCRD San Diego can be very exciting, especially when you have accurate information regarding transportation, accommodations, and agenda of the activities. To make sure you have the most up-to-date information possible, we’ve compiled many of the frequently asked questions – and their answers – that we get from families who are planning on traveling to San Diego for Marine Corps boot camp graduation.
Thanks to our esteemed Head of Travel, Andrew Appleton, for his answers, and general wisdom and expertise! Keep on reading to learn more about what to expect at graduation.
When should family and friends arrive and leave San Diego?
To take advantage of all the graduation events that you can, we recommend arriving the day prior to Family Day, which is normally a Wednesday. I would recommend arriving in the early afternoon in case you are attending the Family Meet & Greet dinner, which starts at 6pm.
Most new Marines are more than ready to head home and get away from the base immediately after graduation is over. There are several reasons to depart San Diego on graduation day, including saving money on a hotel. But perhaps most importantly, your new Marine’s leave starts on Friday (day 1 of 10), and you’ll all want to maximize your time together before they head back to SOI. Make sure your flights are scheduled after 4pm to allow yourself ample time to travel to the airport.
How does my recruit purchase his ticket home for leave?
Recruits are given the opportunity to purchase a ticket home for leave during the 8th week of training. However, families can purchase the ticket earlier to ensure the recruit is on the same flight, and can often do so at a lower fare. Sandboxx books recruit tickets with an active duty military fare class, which often has a discount. Your recruit will also need to purchase a return one-way ticket back to San Diego on their 10th day of leave. I recommend that this ticket is purchased after graduation, once their orders are confirmed.
What is the Family Meet & Greet Dinner?
Families have the opportunity to attend the Family Meet & Greet dinner held the evening prior to Family Day, starting at 6pm. The dinner is held on base at the The Bayview Restaurant and allows you to meet the recruit’s drill instructors as well as other family members.
You must register for this event, and and it usually sells out quickly. All family and friends are allowed to attend. Sorry, your recruit will not be present at this dinner.
What and when is Family Day?
Family Day starts early the day prior to graduation with an optional breakfast from 6:00-9:00am followed by the famous Motivational Run (no, you don’t have to run!) at 9:30am. I would recommend being at the gate no later than 8am, both for Family Day and graduation day. The Motivational Run, the most anticipated event of the weekend, will be the first opportunity you get to see your new Marine, and arriving early will allow you to get a front row position. After the run, your new Marine will clean up and meet up with you later that morning.
Are there places to eat on base during Family Day?
Yes. MCRD San Diego offers eateries on base including some fast food options at the main Exchange, a small, and the on-base restaurant, Bayview Restaurant. Bayview offers a buffet on Family Day, as well as other meals on Wednesday and graduation day. There are also pre-paid meal options served picnic style you can purchase, but I would advise against this option. You are better following your hungry Marine’s nose to the food of their choice. If you are a fan of picnics, the base does allow families to bring their own food, excluding alcohol.
How do I get on base and do I need a rental car?
MCRD San Diego is located directly next to the San Diego International Airport and within minutes of most hotels. Unless you have other events planned, a rental car is not recommended if you stay in a hotel with a shuttle bus. The base does allow personal vehicles (just make sure you have your insurance paperwork with you), taxis, Uber and Lyft as a means for coming onto the base. Sandboxx Travel have a variety of hotels that are offering free shuttle services to the base and airport, which is the best option.
If you do rent a car, the rental agreement will serve as your insurance, so don’t worry about bringing your personal insurance. If you do have personal car insurance, I would not purchase the insurance from the rental agency, as your personal insurance will cover your rental.
What happens on Family Day?
During Family Day, you will get the opportunity to learn more about what your Marine’s experienced during the 12 weeks of boot camp through tours and Command briefs. During the day your Marine will escort you around the base showing you where they trained (ok, did pushups and got yelled at). To avoid an accidental ‘knife hand’ by your Marine, stay on their left hand side so they are free to salute with their right hand when passing a higher-ranking Marine. Family Day starts at 9:30am and ends around 6pm.
What is graduation day like?
Graduation day is filled with a lot of emotions, and will be a day you and your new Marine will remember forever. Families from all over the country will have traveled to attend graduation, so expect a big crowd, and don’t forget to arrive at official events on the early side. Seating is divided by Platoon in bleachers, arrive early if you want to secure good seats. Graduation will last for an hour, and then your new Marine will be immediately released. Their belongings will be packed and staged close by so you can make a quick exit.
Can I take pictures and videos?
Yes. The USMC encourages families to take plenty of pictures and videos of both Family Day and graduation. However, they request that you don’t take pictures of recruits still in training. The command will also offer a professional video of the graduation, should you choose to purchase one.
I am disabled. Are there accommodations for seating and transportation on base?
Yes. MCRD San Diego offers a golf cart or small van to escort and transport you around the base. I would recommend calling the Public Affairs Officer to verify the availability of these resources by dialing (619) 524-1011.
I am a Veteran. Do I need to notify the Command that I’m attending?
This is optional, but the Command does like to recognize former military members that are in attendance, especially high-ranking officers. Your recruit is required to inform their Drill Instructor if anyone will be attending with a rank of 0-6 and above to ensure VIP seating. You are not required to wear your uniform (mine would be a bit tight at this point!).
Can we purchase things on base?
Yes. Family members can shop at the base Exchange.
Is there a hotel on base?
Yes, but is very difficult to make reservations there. The hotel is reserved for active duty service members, and can only be reserved 15 days prior to graduation. In addition, only direct family members can stay on base, and must all have the same address and last name on their ID. If you’re looking for assistance booking a hotel for graduation, click for Sandboxx Travel help.
View the schedule for MCRD San Diego Family Day.
View the MCRD San Diego Graduation Schedule. View the MCRD San Diego Graduation Day Map.
The feeling you get when you see your New Marine for the first time will be more than you could ever imagine. It is truly a special day and time to enjoy and celebrate with your Marine and family. There are many other questions you probably have, so please reach out to our SANDBOXX Travel Team and ask away.
Happy travels, and congrats to you and your soon-to-be new Marine!
Is there a way we could get a schedule for San Diego’s graduation day, the link shows Parris Island when you click on it.
Also, is there anywhere I could rent a motorized wheelchair while I am at family day and graduation? I’m unable to walk or stand more than a few minutes.
Kim, we just updated the graduation schedule link so the pdf should show the San Diego Schedule. MCRD San Diego does not rent wheelchairs on base, unfortunately we are unaware of any rental options near the base.
Hello Brian. Thank you for the information and I have one more question when and how do we register for the meet n greet dinner?? We don’t want to miss out. Thank you Anna
Good morning, Anna. Sorry for the delayed response. We hope you’ve found your answer already about the Meet ‘n Greet Dinner but just in case you haven’t here’s a link that may help, http://www.mccsmcrd.com/gradinfo/. For any further inquiries please reach out to our customer support team at support@sandboxx.us. Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
How many people(family) can go to the recruits graduation? Is there a limit?
Good morning, Angela. Sorry for our delayed response. We hope you have your answer to your question, but just in case you haven’t, there is no limit to how many family members can attend graduation. Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
My son called to talk about flights. My daughter booked us all flights including 1 home for him earlier that same day. So did he for himself. I imagine it came out of his money. So now is he able to get his money back, seeing as ours for him is unreturnable? Brenda samion
Good afternoon, Brenda. Sorry for the delayed response. We’re hoping you have gotten your answer already, but just in case you haven’t, please reach out to our Customer Support Travel Team. Here’s a link to get you started. https://travel.sandboxx.us/ Just click on the Chat button in the bottom right corner and someone will be with you as soon as possible. Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
How do I buy a video of my Son’s Graduation?
Good afternoon, Angel. Sorry for the delayed response. Here’s a link that can help you. http://www.devildogs.info/ Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
I have a problem can’t find out what happened to an email note to my Grandson,Alexander Tilden. I sent 2 on the 8th I think. It looks as if only 1 went through but I was charged for 2. Can you help me.
Good morning, Mary Jane. We’re sorry to hear that. Our customer support team would love to assist you. Please reach out to support@sandboxx.us with any questions or concerns you have. Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
can we use sandboxx to send them back to sandiego
Good morning, Annette. Thank you for your question. You absolutely can use SANDBOXX Travel to get your recruit back to Camp Pendleton or any follow-on-schooling. Here’s a link to get you started. https://travel.sandboxx.us/ If you have any questions during the process you can click on the link in the bottom right corner of the screen and someone will assist you as soon as they can. Our travel hours are: Travel Reservations Hours: 8am-5pm est (M-F) Customer Service Hours: 8am-10pm est (M-F). Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
I’m not the person you sent this to. I wrote to see what happened withe the 2 letters I sent to Alexander Tilden in boot camp, a week ago. I wonder if he got them both.
Sorry for the mistake, Mary Jane. Please reach out to our customer support team at support@sandboxx.us. We would love to help you with your question. Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
Good morning, Annette. Thank you for your question. You absolutely can use SANDBOXX Travel to get your recruit back to Camp Pendleton or any follow-on-schooling. Here’s a link to get you started. https://travel.sandboxx.us/ If you have any questions during the process you can click on the link in the bottom right corner of the screen and someone will assist you as soon as they can. Our travel hours are: Travel Reservations Hours: 8am-5pm est (M-F) Customer Service Hours: 8am-10pm est (M-F). Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
Good afternoon, we are planning our trip for graduation and would like to know if we would be able to stay on the beach in a camper? We love the outdoors and being from Alaska we would love to experience camping on the beach. If this is possible to do could you send me information on this?
Thank you so much for your assistance.
Good afternoon, Catherine. We don’t have any information on your interest in camping on the beach. We hope you’re able to find some information on this before your recruit’s graduation. Thank you for using SANDBOXX.
Good evening, Catherine. The Travel Customer Support Team found a link that may be of some assistance for you. It’s only 6 miles from the Depot. http://www.campland.com/about We hope this helps. 🙂
I have my parents in wheelchairs and I saw we may have access to a van on base. When I tried to call the number I could not figure out who to talk to. My son’s graduation is Feb 2. Can I reserve a cart? What direct number is that. Thank you so much.
Good afternoon, Cynthia. Thank you for your question. Wheelchairs and golf carts are not available at MCRD San Diego for Family Days and Graduations.
Question… my recruits name is mispelled and platoon number is wrong on Sandboxx. How do we get that fixed?
Good evening, Theresa. Please reach out to our customer support team at support@sandboxx.us. We would love to help you with this. Thank you for using Sandboxx.
Just would like to confirm…food (picnics) ARE ALLOWED on base? We have two celiac family members that will be along. I’m guessing there aren’t many options for GF…so I will be packing a picnic for all! Terrific news!
Good morning, Kendell. Yes, there are picnic areas for you to provide your own lunches. Thank you for using Sandboxx.
What days can no family members( friends) attend to see the recruit ?
Hi, Pedro. The only time family and friends can see the recruit is the week he graduates on Thursday during Family Day and after he graduates on Friday. We hope this helps. Thank you for using Sandboxx.
Can family and friends stay in a hotel on base?
Hi, Myriam. Please reach out to reservations@sandboxx.us. We would love to help. Thank you for using Sandboxx.
Hello, my boyfriends graduation is this Friday and I am taking my own personal car. The car title is in my sisters name, but the car insurance is in my name. Would I still be let in?
Hi, Serena. We recommend reaching out to the Provost Marshall’s Office (PMO) to get the most accurate answer to your question. Here’s the link to get PMO’s number. https://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil/Contact-Us/ Scroll down to the bottom until you find their number and give them a call for further detailed assistance. Thank you for using Sandboxx.
We attended the Boot Camp graduation on June 1. It was a really nice event but it would’ve been better to hear the music from the Marine Corps band. The music adds so much inspiration to what is happening and it was not audible at all. It
needs to be plugged into the PA system or at least the band needs to be in the middle of the parade grounds and the ceremony. We could not hear anything. So much of the spiritual part of the program was lost because no one could hear the band. I just think that music is such an important feature in any occasion that it needs to be heard. I have known the well versed Marine Corps hymn since I was a child and was unable to sing out the words because we could not hear the music. Other than that it was a lovely event.
The Marine Corps dress uniform is the best looking one in the military. We really enjoyed the family day as well.