MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT

INTRODUCTION FROM A/CS, MCCS

DEPOT INFORMATION

DIRECTIONS TO MCRD

CWT SATOTRAVEL

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

LOCAL HOTEL LISTINGS

CWT SATOTRAVEL TERMS & CONDITIONS

PLACES OF INTEREST

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

EVENT ITINERARY

PLACES TO EAT

SHOPPING AT MCRD

DEPOT COMMAND MUSEUM

HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE COIN

DEPOT PARKING PASSES

DEPOT MAP

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TABLEOF CONTENTS

mccsmcrd.com | 619-725-6400

Dear Marine Corps Family and Friends,

I want to make you aware of a very special program to make your visit to San Diego for graduation ceremonies the highest quality experience at the lowest cost possible.

In cooperation with CWT SatoTravel, our official travel management company, and the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, over 50 hotels compete in a bid process for the right to provide lodging to our Family and Friends during their stay in San Diego. Seventeen hotels were selected from these 50 for this honor for the following reasons:

‑ The lowest possible rate guarantee

‑ The best quality hotel including ameni‑ties and overall facilities.

‑ The closest locations to Marine Corps Recruit Depot.

‑ The inclusion of transportation to and from MCRD and the airport.

‑ The guarantee that a room will be avail‑able even during the high peak tourism season.

‑ Comments from Marine family members.

SAN DIEgO, CALIFORNIA

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As you can see, we think you are very special and know you deserve the very best in quality and service. In addition, a percentage of all revenues from this pro-gram go to provide morale and recreation programs for service members and their families stationed here at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. I urge you to take advantage of this program to assure the best possible combination of quality and rate during your stay in San Diego. Attached please find a list of hotels from which to choose. We have rooms already reserved for your graduation date.

R. D. ParkerAssistant Chief of StaffMarine Corps Community ServicesMCRD San Diego, CA

UNITED STATESMARINE CORPSMARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT wESTERN RECRUITINg REgION

MCRD - SAN DIEgOwELCOME TO

• On Family Day and Graduation Day all visitor vehicles MUST enter through Gate #5 (Washing-ton Street, exit off I-5). Vehicle inspections and ID checks will take place. All packages, handbags and luggage are subjects to search prior to being admit-ted to the Depot.

• Shuttles from hotels and motels MUST use Gate #5 ONLY. Shuttles will be inspected each time they enter the Depot. Be prepared to show a photo ID when entering the Depot and keep your photo ID with you at all times. Hotel shuttle pick-up location is the Depot Theater. Check with your hotel for shuttle availability.

• Occupants of vehicles attempting to enter MCRD must be restrained by her/his own seat belt.

• Items such as knives, guns, etc., will be confiscated and not returned.

• Due to possible long lines at Gate #5, it is recom-mended that you arrive early each day at the Depot.

• Strollers and wheelchairs are not available.

• On graduation days Gate #5 opens for visitors at 6:00 am.

• Do not walk across the asphalt parade deck (Shep-herd Field) at any time – please walk around the perimeter of the deck.

• For your safety please use sidewalks – do not walk in the street.

• Please limit pets to service animals

• Outside alcohol is not permitted on base

Note: There may be changes in the levels of security alert that alter scheduled events.

www.mccsmcrd.com6

DEPOT INFORMATION

FROM THE wEST–TO MCRD gATE 5

FROM THE EAST–TO MCRD gATE 5

FROM THE SOUTH–TO MCRD gATE 5

Take I-5 North to the Washington Street exit. Washington St. will split into both West and East. Take Washington St. to the West (Turn left). Go across the railroad tracks and under the freeway overpass. Head towards the airport air control tower. Now continue straight ahead to gate 5. FedEx delivery planes will be on your left.

Drive south on Interstate 5. Take the Washington Street exit (The second southbound exit after I-8 exit). Once you exit, turn right onto Washington Street and continue straight ahead to gate 5. FedEx delivery planes will be on your left.

FROM THE NORTH–TO MCRD gATE 5

Drive I-8 West to I-5 South. Take the Washington Street exit (The second southbound exit after I-8 exit). Once you exit, turn right onto Washington Street and continue straight ahead to gate 5. FedEx delivery planes will be on your left.

From Rosecrans Street in Point Loma, take Rosecrans Street to Lyton Street and go right. Lyton Street will become Barnett Avenue. Continue down Barnett Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway. Go right onto Pacific Coast Highway. Follow Pacific Coast Highway to Washington Street. Turn right onto Washington Street and continue straight ahead to gate 5. FedEx delivery planes will be on your left.

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DIRECTIONSTO MCRD

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Rooms for the Friends and Family program are reserved for advance purchase. Please secure your room reservations no less than 2 weeks in advance, as accommodations in San Diego are limited. CWT SatoTravel hotel partners have been selected based on their proximity to MCRD, quality, and affordability. Should it become necessary to alter your travel plans, all hotel reservations must be cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled arrival to avoid room charges.

Family and Friends hotel rates are per room for up to 4 guests – depending on the property. Most suite hotels include a sofa bed and most offer roll-away beds and cribs for an additional fee.

After reviewing the Hotel Chart on the next page you can get more details on each hotel’s seasonal rates and rooms at www.cwtsatotravel.com. Remember to call us directly to make reservations.

HOTELACCOMMODATIONS

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CWT SatoTravel offices assist young men who become a part of the Few, the Proud. They are your sons and you are our family. CWT SatoTravel provides personal and pro-fessional care in arranging your flights, cars and hotels.

Please visit www.cwtsatotravel.com. Many of your questions about planning your trip will be answered here. Once you are ready to make your reservations call our service line at: 1-800-755-5670. Select option two to reach our Family and Friends team. They are dedicated to finding the best quality and value while ar-ranging your travel to San Diego. Besides booking your travel, you have the option of booking your Marines flight home after gradu-ation. If your Marine will be traveling with you at the time, we recommend that his ticket be purchased when you purchase yours. This will ensure you will be on the same flight. Most of the rates quoted require advance purchase, are non-transferable, non-refundable and have penalties should changes be necessary. Round trip tickets are generally the most eco-nomical.

CWT SatoTravel offers numerous car rental options. Rates start as low as $22.00 a day depending on availability and season. Rent a car and see Americas Finest City!

Military & Government Travel SolutionsCall Our Toll-Free Number For Airline, Hotel And

Car Reservations

1(800)755-5670 (select Option #2)

FAMILY AND FRIENDS PROGRAMMonday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm PT

Closed Weekends and Federal Holidays

www.CWTSatoTravel.com

CwT SATOTRAVEL

LOCAL HOTEL LISTINgS

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PAYMENT: Payment must be made by a credit or debit card with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover logo. CWT SatoTravel reserves the right to cancel reservations if full payment is not received for the service fees or airline tickets by the due date specified at the time reservations are made. A processing Fee of $25.00 per ticket in the same itinerary applies with a cap of $60.00 (some restrictions apply). A $2.00 GDS “pass through” fee also applies per ticket with no cap. Hotel or car only reservations will result in a flat $15.00 processing fee per itinerary for bookings made earlier than two weeks before graduation week (the fee is $20.00 per itinerary for bookings made within two weeks of graduation week). A percentage of these fees go back to MCRD.

LATE BOOkING: CWT SatoTravel releases all hotel and car rental blocks 2 weeks prior to each graduation week. It is suggested that reservations be made several weeks prior to arrival or right after your recruit’s telephone call home.

REvISION ChARGES: If your recruit will not graduate as originally scheduled, the hotels do not generally access a penalty to change reservations if you notify CWT SatoTravel or the hotel prior to your scheduled arrival date. Depending on the airline and fare basis you have selected, there may be additional fees and charges to change your airline tickets.

DOCuMENTS: Most airline ticketing is electronic. To receive your boarding pass for your flight, you need only to check in with the airline a minimum of 90 minutes prior to your flight. You must provide them with a government issued photo ID for all passengers 18 and older. Please note - the name on your ID must match the name on your ticket (no nicknames) in order to be allowed on your flight. If you are not sure of the name on your ID (or of those traveling with you), please check before calling. Verify your ticket type (paper or electronic) with your travel agent at time of purchase.

CANCELLATION AND REFuNDS: Service fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be made for any unused portion of car rental or hotel nights. Airline tickets have other restrictions and are, in most cases, non-refundable once issued.

RENTAL CARS: In addition to applicable rental charges, the renter is responsible for all taxes, and additional charges or penalties incurred, if you decide to extend your car rental beyond the contract. The rates do not include sales tax, gas, collision damage waiver. Certain restrictions apply. Optional refueling charge may be available. Note: The renter must have a valid drivers license to present at the time of checking in regardless of who will be driving the vehicle.

RESPONSIBILITY: CWT SatoTravel is a private company operating under a written agreement with MCRD. CWT SatoTravel services are provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status or physical handicap.

CWT SatoTravel acts only in the capacity of an agent for the transportation companies, whether land, sea, air, hotel, rental car, tour, restaurant, entertainment or other travel services. CWT SatoTravel does not own or operate such transportation and travel services and therefore maintains no control whatsoever over the personnel, facilities, equipment or operations of the suppliers of such services. CWT SatoTravel shall therefore not be responsible or liable to its customers for any claims, losses, or expenses arising out of inconvenience to the customer, damage to his or her luggage or other personal property from any cause and the customer waives any and all such responsibility or liability.

The Contract including the conditions of carriage in use by the airline shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchaser and/or passenger.

Tipping is recommended for shuttle drivers, bellmen, hotel maids and restaurant servers.

All rates are valid until December 31, 2009. Prices subject to change.

FEDERAL OR MILITARY ENDORSEMENT OF SPONSOR IS NOT INTENDED

CwT SATOTRAVELTERMS & CONDITIONS

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PLACES OF INTEREST

A historic state park with great restaurants and authentic old west buildings. Old Town offers dining, shopping, tours, and more… all in a scenic walking environment.

OLD TOwN, SAN DIEgO

DOwNTOwN, SAN DIEgO

Downtown features several districts including Little Italy, The Gaslamp, and The East Village. Must see’s include: Horton Plaza, Seaport Village and Petco Park. There are first class restaurants, clubs, live entertainment, and shops.

6:30 – 9:00AM BREAkFAST BuFFET

Bay View

9:30AM DRILL INSTRuCTOR BRIEF

Museum

10:30AM MOTO RuN / WELCOME ORIENTATION

12:30PM LIBERTY FORMATION

Parade Deck

1:00 – 6:00PM BASE LIBERTY

2:00 – 5:00PM LIBERTY LuNCh BuFFET

Bay View

Know your Marine’s platoon number.

DAY ONE – FAMILY DAY

Meet your Marine. You may walk around the Depot. Certain recruit

training areas are off-limits to visitors (see map). During liberty, graduating

Marines may not leave the Depot.

DAY TwO – gRADUATION DAY

BilletingOn base lodgin

g

619-524-4401

CWT SatoTravelAirline, hotel and c

ar reservations

800-755-5670 (#2)

Mon-Fri 7:30-4:30

email: friendsfamily@cwtsatotravel.com

Tickets and Tours OfficeDiscounted tickets to: San Diego Zoo, Sea World, SD Wild Animal Park, Harbor Excur-sion, Universal Studios and much more.

619-725-6343 / 6304

Recreation Center619-524-4446

Recruit Photo / Video Sales619-296-3840

MCRD Graduation Info619-725-6400

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IMPORTANTPHONE NUMBERS

EVENTITINERARY

www.mccsmcrd.com

Marine Corps Exchange/US Marine Corps Store619-725-6446

6:30 – 9:00AM BREAkFAST BuFFET

Bay View8:00 – 8:30AM

COLORS CEREMONYBldg. 31

9:30 – 9:45AM GRADuATION SEATING

Parade Deck 10:00 – 12:00PM

GRADuATION CEREMONY Parade Deck

11:00 – 1:30PM DINING ROOM LuNCh

Bay View

ThE BAY vIEW RESTAuRANTBreakfast Buffet 6:30 am – 9:00 am

Bay View Shuttle Service begins at 6:30 amFirst Stop – Depot Theater

Second Stop – Depot Museum from the Parade DeckThird Stop – Exchange Mall, West End

Liberty Lunch Buffet 1:00 pm – 4:00 pmMeet your Marine’s DI

Graduation Day Dining 11:00 pm – 1:30 pmNew Marine Graduates eat free

For the latest dining hours and information log onto : www.mccsmcrd.com

ThE LOCkER ROOM BAR & GRILL

Family Day Dining 11:00 am – 11:00 pm

Graduation Day Dining 11:00 am – midnight

FOOD COuRTOpens at 6:30 am for Breakfast

10:00 am for LunchStars’n’Stripes Deli • Mongolian Stir Fry

A&W Hamburgers • Villa Pizza

STARBuCkSOpens at 6:00 am

ThE MARINE CORPS STOREOpens at 8:00 am on Family Day

Wide Selection of Marine Corps Memorabilia including Battalion/Company t-shirts

Platoon Photos available for purchase on Family Day only.

ThE MARkETPLACE CONvENIENCE STORE

Opens at 6:00 amFilm, Batteries, Food and Beverages

ThE MAIN ExChANGEOpens at 9:00 am on Family Day

Mens/Women Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, Jewelry, Cosmetics

RECREATION CENTERFacility Opens at 7:00 am

Free arcade games, computersBowling Opens at 9:00 amLunch Opens at 11:00 am

Free calls in continental US for Active-Duty

DISCOvERY ELECTRONICS AND uNIFORM STORE

Opens at 8:00 am on Family Day2nd Level above Food Court

hOME STOREOpens at 9:00 am on Family Day

Houswares, Gifts, Sporting Goods, Hardware, Garden and Pets

T-shirts, sweatshirts are available at the Marine Corps Store and at the Recruit Exchange

RECRUITgRAD gEAR

PLACESTO EAT

SHOPPINgAT MCRD

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www.mccsmcrd.com

It has been 13 weeks since you last saw your Recruit. We salute you and your family members for the sac-rifices you are making. Each week here at MCRD, we get to witness the making of United States Ma-rines. It is an honor to see these young men and their families celebrate their transformation. Show your Marine Corps pride and preorder your Recruits Bat-talion & Company T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets. Visit our website www.mccsmcrd.com and click on “Recruit Grad Gear”. Choose from a wide selec-tion of T-shirts, sweatshirts and other Marine Corps memorabilia. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipping.

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Panama-California Exposition. Twenty-five of the Depot’s buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. Thirteen buildings have been named for famous Marines, such a Daly Barracks, Pendleton Hall, McDougall Hall, and Day Hall.

The Command Museum, which is located in Build-ing 26, Day Hall, opened its doors on 10 Novem-ber 1987. The museum, which got its start as the Memorial Room in the old Visitor’s Center, features a video theater, five permanent galleries, an art col-lection, and a research center. The mission of the museum is to portray an educational setting that teaches the legacy of the Marine Corps, wherein recruits are taught Marine Corps history and an educational program is available for schools in the San Diego region. Recruits receive their Marine Corps history classes from museum docents on the 56th day of training. The museum’s education pro-gram provides classes for schools in the San Diego area. There is also a gift shop sponsored by the Not-for-Profit Museum Historical Society. Guided tours are available for student, adult, and reunion groups.

The Marine Corps began providing formalized training for recruits in 1911. Training for the western half of the United States originally took place at the Marine Barracks on Mare Island in San Francisco. In 1923, recruit training moved to the new Marine Corps Base in San Diego. The first group of re-cruits arrived for training on 12 August 1923.

In addition to a variety of schools, Marine Corps Base San Diego has been home to the 4th, 6th and 10th Marine Regiments, the Fleet Marine Force and the 2nd Marine Division. However, the main focus of the base has always been training and “the mak-ing of Marines.” On 1 January 1948, Marine Corps Base, San Diego was officially renamed Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. In the 1970’s the focus increased to include the recruiting effort and the Depot became Headquarters, Western Recruit-ing Region.

Known for its unique Spanish Colonial Revival style appearance, the overall site and specific build-ing plans were developed by renowned architect, Bertram Goodhue, who also designed the build-ings built in San Diego’s Balboa Park for the 1915

hOuRS OF OPERATIONMonday – Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Free Admission, Handicap accessible

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DEPOT COMMANDMUSEUM

Like so many other aspects of military tradition, the origins of the challenge coin are a matter of much debate with little supporting evidence. While many organizations and services claim to have been the originators of the challenge coin, the most commonly held view is that the tradition began in the United States Army Air Service (a forerunner of the current U.S. Air Force) during World War I.

As the legend goes, a wealthy lieutenant, ordered small, solid-bronze medallions (or coins), which he then presented to the other pilots in his squadron as mementos of their service together. The coin was gold-plated, bore the squadron’s insignia, and was quite valuable. One of the pilots in the squadron, who had never owned anything like the coin, placed it in a leather pouch he wore around his neck for safekeep-ing. A short while later, this pilot’s aircraft was shot down behind enemy lines and he was captured by the Germans. The Germans confiscated the personal belongings from his pockets, but they didn’t catch the leather pouch around his neck. He was held overnight in a small German-held French village near the front. During the night, the town was bombarded by the British, creating enough confusion to allow the pilot to escape.

The pilot avoided German patrols by donning civilian attire, but all of his identification had been confiscated so he had no way to prove his identity. With great dif-ficulty, he made contact with a French patrol. Unfortu-nately for him, the French mistook the American pilot for a German saboteur and immediately prepared to execute him. Desperate to prove his allegiance and without any identification, the pilot pulled out the coin from his leather pouch and showed it to his French captors. One of the Frenchmen recognized the unit insignia on the coin and delayed the execution long enough to confirm the pilot’s identity.

Once the pilot safely returned to his squadron, it 20

became a tradition for all members to carry their coin at all times. To ensure compliance, the pilots would challenge each other to produce the coin. If the chal-lenged couldn’t produce the coin, he was required to buy a drink of choice for the challenger. If the chal-lenged could produce the coin, the challenger would purchase the drink.

This tradition spread to other flying squadrons and, eventually, to other military units in all branches of service and even to non military organizations. Today, challenge coins are given to service members as an award to improve morale and sold to commemorate special occasions or as fundraisers.

The tradition of a challenge is the most common way to ensure that members are carrying their unit’s coin. The rules of a challenge are not always formalized for a unit, and may vary between organizations. The challenge, which can be held at any time, begins with the challenger drawing his/her coin. Anyone being challenged must immediately produce their coin for their organization and anyone failing to do so must buy a drink of choice for the challenger. However, should anyone challenged be able to produce their coin, the challenger must buy a drink of choice for that individual. While this tradition is normally associ-ated with a social atmosphere, units will substitute push ups for a drink of choice.

The Recruit Training Regiment unit coins are some of the most highly coveted challenge coins within the Marine Corps. It is these coins that represent each Marine’s first unit in the Corps. The coins serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced and overcome during recruit training. The coins also serve as a bril-liant memento or souvenir for proud family members who travel to see their loved ones graduate from boot camp.

Recruit Training Regiment unit coins can be purchased from the Museum or the Drill Instruc-

tors located on the MCRD Exchange Mall on Parents Day and Graduation Day. Coins are sold for $10 each and all proceeds are used to support morale, welfare, and recreation initiatives in sup-port of the Regiment’s Marines and their families.

Support your Drill Instructors today!21

HISTORY OF THE CHALLENgE COIN

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OFF LIMITS

MAP OF THE BASE

www.mccsmcrd.com619-725-6400

OFF LIMITS

MAP OF THE BASE

www.mccsmcrd.com619-725-6400

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MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEgO, CALIFORNIA

OFF LIMITS

Name

Company Name

Graduation Date

Platoon #

Although we appreciate sponsor’s support, the USMC and the federal government do not endorse sponsors and their product.

www.mccsmcrd.com619-725-6400