Graduation day feels like a finish line, and in many ways it is. But for your new Marine, it is also the starting point of a longer training journey. In the months after boot camp, Marines head home for a short leave, then move on to combat training, job training, and eventually their first unit. Understanding what happens after Marine Corps boot camp can help your family stay connected, set realistic expectations, and keep cheering them on through each new stage.
Quick Facts
- New Marines are entitled to about 10 days of leave after graduation, plus a travel day.
- Some non-infantry Marines may spend time helping their local recruiter through the Permissive Recruiter Assistance Program.
- Every enlisted Marine attends the School of Infantry after boot camp.
- Non-infantry Marines attend Marine Combat Training, which typically lasts about a month.
- Infantry Marines attend the Infantry Marine Course, which was lengthened to roughly 14 weeks.
- Marines from MCRD San Diego generally attend School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, California. Those from Parris Island generally attend School of Infantry East at Camp Geiger, part of the Camp Lejeune area in North Carolina.
- After the School of Infantry, Marines attend their job school before reporting to their first duty station.
Stage One: Post-Graduation Leave
After graduation, new Marines are entitled to about 10 days of leave, along with a day for travel. This is often called boot leave, and for many families it is the first real chance to reconnect after months apart. Your Marine may want to see friends, eat favorite foods, sleep in, and simply rest. They may also feel a pull to stay on a routine. Both are normal.
Marines also have the option to report to their next training early if they want to save leave days for later. If your Marine chooses this, try not to take it personally. It is a practical decision that many Marines make.
The Recruiter Assistance Option
Some new Marines spend time after boot leave working with their hometown recruiter through the Permissive Recruiter Assistance Program. During this time, they may talk with young people who are interested in joining, share what boot camp was like, and help prepare future recruits. Eligibility is limited. Infantry-bound Marines and reservists are generally not authorized to participate without special approval. Your Marine’s recruiter is the best person to explain whether this is an option and how it might affect their schedule.
Stage Two: The School of Infantry
The Marine Corps follows the principle that every Marine is a rifleman. That is why every enlisted Marine, no matter their future job, attends the School of Infantry after boot camp. There are two locations:
- School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, California, which generally receives Marines who graduated from MCRD San Diego.
- School of Infantry East at Camp Geiger, a satellite of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, which generally receives Marines who graduated from MCRD Parris Island.
Which course your Marine attends depends on their assigned job, known as their military occupational specialty, or MOS.
Marine Combat Training for Non-Infantry Marines
Marines headed into non-infantry jobs, such as logistics, aviation, administration, or communications, attend Marine Combat Training. This course has typically run about a month. It builds on boot camp with weapons training, hikes, land navigation, patrolling, and basic combat skills. The goal is to make sure every Marine can defend themselves and their unit, whatever their job.
The Infantry Marine Course for Infantry Marines
Marines who will serve in the infantry attend a much longer course. For years, entry-level infantry training was handled by the Infantry Training Battalion in a course that lasted about eight weeks. Beginning in 2021, the Marine Corps introduced the Infantry Marine Course, which stretched entry-level infantry training to roughly 14 weeks. The course trains Marines on the full range of weapons used in an infantry platoon and places a strong emphasis on independent thinking and decision-making. Instructors stay with the same small group of students through the course and act as mentors.
Course names and lengths can be adjusted as the Marine Corps updates its training, so your Marine’s own orders and instructors will have the most accurate timeline.
Stage Three: MOS School
After Marine Combat Training, non-infantry Marines move on to their MOS school, where they learn the specific job they will do in the Marine Corps. These schools are located at bases across the country, and their length varies widely. Some last a few weeks, while technical fields can take many months. For infantry Marines, the Infantry Marine Course serves as their job training.
MOS school often feels different from boot camp and combat training. The focus shifts from basic soldiering to technical skills. It is also when many Marines first start to picture what their day-to-day career will look like.
Stage Four: The First Duty Station
Once training is complete, your Marine receives orders to their first duty station and joins an operational unit. Marines often call this joining the fleet. Duty stations can be in the United States or overseas, and assignments are based on the needs of the Marine Corps. Your Marine may have a chance to list preferences, but there are no guarantees.
At the first unit, Marines settle into a routine of work, training, and time off. For many Marines, this is when life starts to feel more settled and independent, with a steadier routine than they had in training.
Staying in Touch During Each Stage
Communication tends to open up gradually after boot camp, but it can vary a lot depending on the stage, the location, and the unit’s training schedule.
- During leave: You can talk freely, and this is a great time to make plans for staying connected.
- At the School of Infantry: Expect contact to be limited and unpredictable. Long field days can mean days without hearing from them.
- At MOS school: Contact usually becomes more regular, though it depends on the school and the training schedule.
- At the first duty station: Communication is often much easier, except during field exercises or deployments.
Letters and care packages are still welcome at many stages. Ask your Marine for their current mailing address at each new location rather than guessing, and check with them before sending anything large.
What Families Can Expect in the First Year
The first year after boot camp is full of change. Your Marine may move several times in a short span, from home to combat training to job school to a new duty station. Plans can shift quickly. Training dates may slide, orders may change, and holiday leave may not line up with family plans. Flexibility goes a long way.
You may also notice your Marine growing more independent and more focused on their unit and their fellow Marines. That is a healthy part of adjusting to military life. Keep the door open, be a steady source of encouragement, and let them share what they want, when they want. Many families find it helps to connect with other military parents who understand the ups and downs.
Most of all, remember that each new stage is a step toward the career your Marine chose. Your support matters just as much now as it did during boot camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is leave after Marine Corps boot camp?
New Marines are entitled to about 10 days of leave after graduation, plus a travel day. Some choose to report to their next training early to save leave for later.
Does every Marine go to the School of Infantry?
Yes. Every enlisted Marine attends the School of Infantry. Non-infantry Marines complete Marine Combat Training, while infantry Marines complete the longer Infantry Marine Course.
Which School of Infantry will my Marine attend?
Marines who graduate from MCRD San Diego generally attend School of Infantry West at Camp Pendleton, California. Those who graduate from Parris Island generally attend School of Infantry East at Camp Geiger in North Carolina.
Can my Marine come home after the School of Infantry?
It depends. Many Marines move directly from the School of Infantry to their MOS school or first unit. Whether they get time at home in between depends on their orders, their schedule, and their available leave.
When will my Marine know their first duty station?
Marines usually receive orders to their first unit near the end of their job training. Timing varies by MOS, so be patient and let your Marine share the news when they have it.