The countdown to graduation has begun! Whether it’s time to start packing your bags or you have a bit of time to plan before the big day arrives, the Sandboxx TravelTeam has put together the ultimate packing list for your trip to boot camp graduation.
Graduation will be one of the most memorable days of your life, so we’ve put together a list of items you’ll want to make sure you have so you can enjoy a worry-free trip.
Travel documents: Whether you are a tech guru or prefer to print your itinerary, make sure you have the address and phone number of your hotel, car rental company, the base, and any other places you’ll be stopping along the way. If you’re flying to graduation, make sure to check in on the airline’s website and print your boarding pass 24 hours prior to your flight. If you really want to get fancy, download your airline’s app to gain access to your mobile boarding pass, making getting through the security checkpoint a breeze. For those not as tech-savvy, you can also print out your boarding passing when you get to the airport at the airline kiosks or with an agent.
Phone chargers: Don’t be the person at graduation recording your loved one’s proudest moment at the ceremony, just to have the video cut short because your battery died. Make sure you bring your charger, including any portable chargers or charging cases . One tip is to organize all electronic cords together in one bag, that way you don’t misplace them.
Casual clothing: To walk a mile in their shoes… OK, you won’t be walking in combat boots, but you will be doing a lot of walking throughout graduation, so make sure to pack comfortable shoes. During Family Day, you will be walking around learning all about what your new Marine accomplished over the past 12 weeks. For the graduation ceremony itself, you may have to stand during the ceremony, so you’ll want to wear those comfortable shoes.
Clothing can be casual for each day, but we recommend having a sweater or jacket for outside incase the weather takes a turn for the worse. Many families will wear custom t-shirts on graduation day that display their Marine’s name and platoon number. Although a momentous one, the occasion does not require formal wear, but you’ll want to ensure that you put your best foot forward.
Camera: A picture is worth a thousand words and a lifetime of memories. Graduation Day will be one of the most memorable days for you and your new Marine – and you will want to take lots of pictures. Whether you use your phone’s camera, a disposable camera, or a digital camera, make sure you have extra batteries, a charger, and memory card so you won’t miss a single moment.
Tissues: You can be sure of two things: paying taxes and shedding a few tears at boot camp graduation.Pick up a travel size Kleenex at your local grocery or drug store. You may think you can fight back tears, but as soon as you hear the hundreds of new Marines belt out the Marine Corps Hymn, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.
Government-issued identification: Whether you have a passport or driver’s license, anyone 18 years or older will need some form of government-issued identification to get onto the base. Don’t miss out on graduation because you didn’t think Grandma and Grandpa would need their IDs! When driving on base, you may also need to have proof of vehicle registration and insurance, unless you have a rental car.
Sunscreen: 99.99% of all graduations are held outside, so you would be wise to pack some sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Don’t let the clouds fool you! It’s easy to get sunburned even when the clouds are overcast.
Stroller: Traveling with little ones? We highly recommend bringing a stroller. There will be hundreds of people attending graduation, and if you aren’t able to grab a seat in the bleachers your little ones can sit in their stroller.
Change of clothes for your Marine: Your new Marine has worn the same outfit for the past 12 weeks, and will be ready to strut their stuff in a pair of their favorite jeans and shoes.
Chewing gum:The first Marine Corps rule is never to chew gum and walk at the same time. But,to help alleviate the pressure during a flight, you might want to throw some gum in your carry-on. Once you’ve arrived on base, it’ll also help you maintain fresh breath, which is always a plus when interacting with other families at graduation.
Graduation gifts: If you have chosen to get your new Marine a gift for completing graduation, don’t leave it behind. Need some good gift ideas? Learn about some great Basic Training Graduation Gifts.
Binoculars: It’s been 12 weeks since you’ve last seen your Marine, and they’ve gone through a huge transformation. As they begin to march out onto the parade deck, you will naturally begin to look for him or her. It can be easy to pick the wrong Marine during your first search! A handy pair of binoculars (or your smartphone camera on zoom) at the ready will help you accurately spot your Marine.
Extra cash: It’s never a bad idea to have some extra cash on your person, whether it’s to buy a coffee, some merchandise, or if you encounter some toll booths on your drive to graduation.
Ready to plan the most unforgettable trip? Learn more about your soon-to-be Marine’s graduation and start planning today:
Marine Corps Boot Camp Graduation: MCRD San Diego
Marine Corps Boot Camp Graduation: MCRD Parris Island
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Are friends of a Marine aloud to go to the Feb.11 2022. Graduation or do you have to be on a list
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Is there a limit of visitors arriving at Graduation Friday Sept 9th? Is there a list of who can attend?
Is graduation open to the public?
I wish to attend a graduation from the grandstands this time.
My intentions are to attend the 8 October 2021 second battalion ceremony.
My son graduation is November 19 is there a limit of people that can attend and will our recruit be able to come come
Can I use my AB License to attend to the graduation in Sep 10 .
The graduation dates have changed for the recruits that left June 7.
New Graduation date :September 10
Can I use my AB License to attend to the graduation in Sep 10 .
My marine asked me to bring him some good food. What is allowed in regards to coolers or anything to warm up food. Is tailgating a thing?
Apparently there is a lot of walking and standing, I’m not able to do both for very long periods of time, are there any provisions for slightly disabled guests. I do have a rolling seat walker but I’m not sure if I can transport it on the plane!
Most airlines will take the seat walker but you have to check it at the gate just like a stroller. It would be best to call the airline to be sure they take it.
What if the marines parents aren’t from here, can they still attend to their graduation?
Unless they have a valid U.S. ID or PASSPORT, unfortunately, they cannot enter the USMC base.
Hi Sarah, this can’t possibly be true. My son is a US citizen by virtue of being born there and will be graduating this August. We, his parents, are Irish citizens and are intending to be at graduation, surely with a valid Irish passport we would be allowed to attend ?
Jennifer, please see this FAQ: you can attend as a foreign national as long as you are in the US legally and have a valid passport:
http://www.mccs-sc.com/mil-fam/recruit/faqs.shtml
Hello, my nephew is graduating June 4th, his father is not going to make it to his graduation. A letter was sent to my nephew letting him know that his dad can not make it. How will we know if he received the letter & if a replacement name can be added to his guest list? Thank You
Hello there,
My son will be graduating in June of this year 2021 at Parris Island boot camp, and would like to know if families are allow?
Yes only two family members are allowed to attend and your loved one will have to tell his sergeants the names of the two people who are going to be attending, if your name is not on list when you arrive at base they won’t let you in
How many people are allowed in San Diego for family day, also are pets allowed on base(service dog in Training) or other pets
As of now, they have increased it and is now 4 people in San Diego. I am not sure about household pets, but I am pretty sure they will let in any service animals.