MUSIC VIDEO
Trace Adkins Singing Semper Fi
7/5/2026
This is an awesome song and an awesome singer. Worth watching!
Announcements from RecruitParents.com
Stay up to date with the latest news and announcements from RecruitParents.com!
The Recruit Parents Website
Navigating Boot Camp for 20 Years
—Jill from Iowa, Marine Mom, 2007
7/5/2026
We've been helping families understand recruit training (boot camp) for 20 years. We speak in civilian terms to help family members who are new to the military. For help navigating our website, use this map of pages on RecruitParents.com.
I couldn't have gone through my son's 13 weeks in boot camp without the support and information right here on this website. I got 13 weeks of education, too. Thank you for teaching me how to be a Marine Parent!
—Jill from Iowa, Marine Mom, 2007
Marines Celebrate America's 25th Anniversary
July 4, 1801, in Marine Corps history.
7/4/2026
On July 4, 1801, the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, reviewed Marines led by the second Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Colonel William W. Burrows, and the Marine Band. The review took place on the grounds of the White House grounds and the Marines performed drills and fired salutes in observance of our country's 25th anniversary.
Happy Independence Day
Saturday July 4th, 2026 is America's 250th Independence Day
7/4/2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026, marks the celebration of America's 250th Independence Day. While phrases like, "The land of the free, because of the brave" and "Freedom isn't free" may sound cliche at this time of the year, the fact of the matter is that they're true.
VIDEO: A Day at the MEPS
Video by John Toniolli Published on February 1, 2018
7/4/2026
The Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS, is where applicants for military service go to complete the enlistment process. MEPS ensures that each applicant meets the aptitude, physical, and behavioral standards set by the Department of Defense and Service Branches.
The Marine Parents Website
Over 2 Decades: Information in Civilian Terms
7/4/2026
We've been helping Marine Corps family members navigate the Marine Corps for 20 years. We're your trusted source for information in civilian terms. For help navigating our website, use this map of pages on Marine Parents: a Place to Connect & Share®.
United We Stand: We Need Your Help
Please support the organization that supports you
7/3/2026
Please donate today to support the organization that supports you during your Marine's career.
Your donation finances the dissemination of information to educate families about the Marine Corps, casework disaster relief for Marines and their families, and building communities for family members to have a place to connect and share® before, during, and after their loved one's service in the Marine Corps, and monetary assistance to Marine Corps family members who would otherwise be unable to attend boot camp graduation.
MarineParents.com, Inc., was founded nationally on January 21, 2003, to provide support, information, and services to Marines and their family members and create opportunities for the public to support our troops through outreach programs.
Video of Jax Singing Somebodys Kid
Father of a Marine Shares his Daughter's Talent and Supporting the Troops
7/3/2026
This video from 2018 is worth sharing again. And sharing over and over. Truly great.
American Idol's Jax - Somebody's Kid - 4th of July 2018 at the White House was shared with MarineParents.com by John Miskanic who writes:
My name is John Miskanic and my son is a USMC reservist. I love your FB page and all the work you do. I followed you closely while my son was in boot camp. I’m writing to let you know that my daughter Jax- Season 14 American Idol finalist, performed her new single “Somebody’s Kid” (a tribute to military families and our family's own personal experience with our son’s journey) live on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4th, on the Hallmark channel. The song makes my wife, and anyone else we let listen to it, cry when they hear it. It’s about a mom, sister, and dad’s pride in their young son as a Marine. Very relatable if you know what I mean.Yes, we know what you mean, John!
Graduation & Travel
Everything you need to know about graduation & travel for Marine Corps boot camp.
7/3/2026
Could there be more i's to dot and t's to cross when you're getting ready to go to your recruit's graduation from boot camp? Talk about an overwhelming time! Some families have never traveled out of state. For others, it's an old hat. Regardless, it's the moment you've been waiting to get that first hug from your newly-minted Marine! We've got tips for ALL travelers: both seasoned and brand new.
This page contains all the information you need for graduation and travel for Marine Corps boot camp. Some information for Parris Island and San Diego is different so be sure to choose the correct headings.
MCRD San Diego Graduations
A Great Hotel 2 Miles from MCRD!
7/3/2026
Town and Country Resort, located in San Diego’s Mission Valley neighborhood, is just 2 miles to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and offers a comfortable and fun option for military families. Recently renovated with an authentic mid-century modern design and a friendly Southern California vibe, the resort is an ideal home base for a San Diego stay.
The resort offers a comfortable guestroom, 3 pools, a 4-story waterslide named “Twister,” 5 restaurants and bars, a penthouse fitness center with Peloton bikes, and 19 fire pits. It is pet and family-friendly with a 3-acre attached park and a host of family activities. The resort is within walking distance of Fashion Valley Mall and provides easy access to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, beaches, and area attractions.
Making Reservations
Special rates for military families are available when you book using the RESERVE link:
Medical Discharge
Learn the process Marines go through when they are medically discharged from the Corps.
7/3/2026
The Marine Corps demands a lot from Marines, both physically and mentally. Physical training can take a toll on the body. The mental stress, whether a Marine has been in combat or not, can take a toll on the mind. Medical conditions can persist to a point that a Marine would be rendered unfit for duty and then be medically separated or retired.
Deployment, OPSEC & PERSEC
A Message from the Founder, Tracy Della Vecchia
7/2/2026
Please maintain personal and Operations Security Standards in ALL environments. Help keep you, your Marine, and our military personnel safe by not sharing personal or military information in an email or online environment.
Matrix Terminology Explained
There's a lot to learn! Here's a place to start!
7/2/2026
The recruit training matrix shows what your recruit is doing each day of boot camp. We've included a list of acronyms and abbreviations for both Parris Island and San Diego. Knowledge is power!
MPTA Helps Marine Parents, Alice & Andrew, Attend Graduation
Thank you, Marine Parents Travel Assistance!
7/1/2026
On Friday, June 26, 2026, Marine Parents Travel Assistance sent Alice & Andrew, Parents of a recruit, to San Diego for the recruit's graduation from Fox Company to become a Marine.
I am so grateful for the Marine Parents Travel Assistance. You made this special day possible! Thank you! Alice & Andrew, New Marine Parents
Beginning the Transformation to Marine
You Tube Channel Marines Published on April 7, 2011
7/1/2026
Recruit training transforms civilians into Marines who can face any challenge. As recruits, they will be met with stress and chaos from the start at the hands of the drill instructor.
The Official Marine Parents Community Network
Join us today to meet other recruit and Marine Parents!
7/1/2026
Marine Parents is transitioning to our new, exciting social media platform, Marine Parents Community Network (MPCN). Our platform is a dedicated space for all things Marine Parents, featuring discussion forums and groups where Marine Corps family members and friends can connect and share their experiences. The platform is designed with your privacy in mind—we don't collect or sell personal data, and we don't track surfing habits. Join us at ConnectAndShare.com!
Marine Parents Learning Center
Come learn about the Marine Corps with us!
7/1/2026
The Marine Parents website was started to complement information on the official United States Marine Corps websites. We rovide accurate, well-researched information about all phases of your Marine's career in the Corps, including boot camp, school of infantry, MOS school, duty stations, deployment, and homecomings.
