397 recruits graduate from Parris Island, base increases security

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - A graduation ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Friday included enhanced security measures for thousands of family members and friends attending the event.

The ceremony celebrated 397 new United States Marines.

Visitors were directed into three lines for security checks conducted by Marines, law enforcement, and federal authorities. People were asked to park their vehicles, exit, and walk to a Marine to have their REAL ID checked before being screened for weapons.

While credentials were checked, vehicles were searched.

Three lines were used for security checks, and 12 searches were happening in each line simultaneously.

Over two days of visitors coming onto the base, officials said 17 foreign nationals came through security. All had proper documentation and were allowed on.

Col. Charles Nash, director of operations for MCRD Parris Island, said no one was turned away or detained Thursday and that the security measures are normal for graduation events.

“We do conduct a more robust security screening process for Thursday and Friday graduation events like we typically do, and as you see today,” Nash said. “Then, given world events or any other reasons, we do increase our security posture.”

The next family day and graduation will take place next week. Extra federal law enforcement is expected to assist with security checks.

WTOC crews on the scene said they did not see an ICE or Department of Homeland Security presence on Friday.

We reached out to an ICE spokesperson ahead of graduation events, who said ICE agents and the Department of Homeland Security will not be at the graduation events on Parris Island this weekend. The spokesperson tells us they have not been to previous graduations.

Video of inspections Friday morning at Parris Island

Parris Island allowed the media to record some of the inspection process on Friday morning. Officials said inspections are done on commercial vehicles coming onto the base and on Family Days and Graduation Days. Officials told us they expect about 2,000 extra people on base on Friday.

People gather outside of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in protest

Early Friday morning, protesters gathered outside of the base with signs opposing the federal law enforcement presence.

One protester we spoke with is a Marine Corps veteran and graduated from Parris Island nearly ten years ago.

She says security to get on the base has always been strict, especially for events like this, and she doesn’t understand why the extra federal authorities were even needed.

“The fact that we have federal agents and other outside entities coming in attempts to help out PMO seems like such a targeted and such a show of force because it’s unnecessary,” said Marine Corps Veteran Dayle Soto.

What ID do you need to enter Parris Island?

All individuals 18 years of age and older must present a valid form of identification to access the base. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued identification card
• United States passport
• Other federally approved identification credentials

Foreign nationals who have not submitted SECNAV Form 5512/1 for base access to Parris Island will not be granted entry and may be subject to additional screening by government partner agencies.

Undocumented visitors are prohibited from access to the depot.

The Provost Marshal’s Office will conduct vehicle inspections prior to entry. All vehicles are subject to search. Firearms, ammunition and other prohibited items are not authorized aboard the installation.

For questions regarding prohibited items, contact the Provost Marshal’s Office at 843-228-3444 or 843-228-2995.

The depot is asking service members and visitors for patience and understanding, as enhanced security measures may result in longer wait times at the gates.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office says to expect traffic on graduation

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office told drivers to expect increased traffic in the areas surrounding Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Friday between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., due to scheduled graduation ceremonies.