About this Unit
Platoon 349, Parris Island, is one of the many recruit training platoons formed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Known for its rigorous training regimen, Platoon 349 has produced generations of United States Marines since the depot’s establishment in 1915. Recruits in this platoon undergo intense physical conditioning, marksmanship instruction, and lessons in Marine Corps values and traditions. Graduates of Platoon 349 have gone on to serve with distinction in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world, exemplifying the discipline and esprit de corps instilled at Parris Island.
Historical Facts
• Historic Roots: Platoon 349, like all Parris Island platoons, is part of the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, founded in 1915 and responsible for training thousands of Marines.
• World War II Era: During World War II, Parris Island saw a massive increase in recruits, with platoons like 349 sometimes comprised of over 70 men, rapidly trained for combat deployment.
• Legendary Drill Instructors: Platoon 349 has been led by some of the Corps’ most respected drill instructors, renowned for their strict discipline and ability to transform civilians into Marines.
• Integration and Diversity: Throughout its history, Platoon 349 has witnessed the integration of diverse recruits, reflecting the evolving demographics of the U.S. military.
• The Crucible: Modern Platoon 349 recruits undergo “The Crucible,” a grueling 54-hour field event, as the final test of their training, symbolizing their transformation into Marines.
• Vietnam War Preparation: Recruits in Platoon 349 during the 1960s often trained under the expectation of imminent deployment to Vietnam, resulting in intense, combat-focused training cycles.
• Parris Island Legends: Stories circulate among Marines about Platoon 349 graduates who went on to receive high honors, such as the Silver Star or Bronze Star, for valor in combat.
• Family Legacies: Some families have had multiple generations pass through Parris Island in platoons like 349, forging a unique family legacy within the Marine Corps.
• Documented Triumphs: Platoon 349’s graduation photos and yearbooks, stored in the Parris Island Museum, capture the changing faces and stories of American Marines across decades.
• Enduring Traditions: Platoon 349, like all Parris Island platoons, upholds long-standing Marine Corps traditions, such as the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ceremony, marking the moment recruits officially become Marines.
