Family members tightly embrace their new Marine of Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, following the Family Day ceremony Jan. 23, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. (Photo by Cpl. Octavia Davis)
Family day is almost here. It’s the day you’ve been waiting for, the day you get to see your new Marine for the first time. It’s exciting and scary especially as you queue up for the front gate. How long will it take to get on the base? What time should you arrive? How will you get around? Here are 7 tips to help take stress away for the day.
1) Make sure to arrive early! As you drive on base toward the traffic circle you will notice the speed limit decreases as you near the front gate. Make sure to give yourself extra time to navigate any changes to traffic patterns. In addition traffic is diverted at 6:45 am when Blvd de France closes in preparation for the Motivational Run. If you do not park before that time you will find yourself hunting for a parking spot farther away from the event. One family missed the run completely as they drove around the back streets looking for a parking space.
Java Cafe
2) Make the Douglas Visitors’ Center your first stop. They open early on Family Day so you can check in, get maps, information and view the tram schedule. Before you leave, confirm the location of Friday’s graduation, (e.g. will it be at the AWTF because of bad weather, the Petross Parade Deck, or somewhere else?). Browse the shopping area, (when I looked they had red stadium seat cushions with the EGA for sale). Later in the day, if you have time walk upstairs to the Depot Library. Although only qualified patrons can check books out, you can browse the collection, read up on Marine Corps history or just relax in a clean, cool setting.
3) Visit Java Café for coffee. They are open at 6:00 am on Family Day to supply your caffeine fix before the Liberty Ceremony.
4) Attend the Marine Corps 101 Brief after which you will have ½ hour to make it to the All Weather Training Facility for the Battalion Commander’s Brief to Families & Liberty Ceremony.
For lunch the Lyceum begins serving a Family Day Buffet. After chow your schedule is open until 2:00 pm when you may choose to visit the Recruit Chapel for the Warrior’s Prayer. Other activities may depend on the weather. If the weather is nice you can walk around, if not, consider taking the tram. Tram routes are posted inside the Douglas Visitors Center and drivers can take you anywhere along their assigned route.
Entrance to the Parris Island Museum. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton)
5) Head over to the Parris Island Museum – tours are free, but consider donating a few dollars to help the museum maintain the wonderful displays.
6) Drive to the Marksmanship Training Unit. They are open from 10 am to 2 pm. The tram route does not go to MTU but you can take your POV and see where your Marine learned to shoot. The Marksmanship Training Unit has 2 displays to view inside the building.
7) Marine Corps Exchange (MEX) – Here you can buy USMC t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs etc… Click here for gift ideas. This post contains affiliate links. ParrisIsland.com is an Amazon Affiliate and we will earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase items through these links. For more gift ideas for you and your new Marine, visit the resource page.
The base gets crowded on Family Day, but if you remember these 7 tips: arrive early, check in at the Douglas Visitors’ Center, visit the Java Cafe, attend the Marine Corps 101 brief, after lunch visit the museum and learn more about Marine Corps history, drive to the Marksmanship Training Unit, and visit the Marine Corps Exchange for souvenirs, you will make the most of Family Day. Click here for 5 more tips.