Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger suggested at the end of September that Marine Corps recruit depots in both South Carolina and California may close in order to establish gender-integrated recruit depots. The suggestion sent many into a tizzy -- including lawmakers who have now introduced the Parris Island Protection Act.
But why protect Parris Island?
Around 20,000 recruits process through training at Parris Island in South Carolina every year. Enlisted male training began there in November 1915 and enlisted female training began there in February 1949. Marines trained at Parris Island for every major conflict including 205,000 recruits during World War II, 250,000 during the Vietnam War and 160,000 during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Parris Island now refers to itself as "one of the most famous military training facilities in the United States."
It certainly has a reputation -- and every Marine who processed through Parris Island surely has a story to share. But why are lawmakers stepping up to the plate to protect it?
Republican Reps. Joe Wilson and Ralph Norman, who introduced the Parris Island Protection Act, said Berger's suggestion to close the installation was "shocking and disappointing." Without providing much additional information, Wilson said the "unique value of the base and its facilities cannot be replicated" and that closing Parris Island would "not only be detrimental to South Carolina, but also to the Marine Corps."
Wilson is a 32-year Army veteran.
"With its rich history, this base is of significant importance to South Carolina, our nation and our military,” Norman added.
While neither elaborated on the unique value or impact of the history of Parris Island, the installation certainly is important to South Carolina in at least one aspect -- finances. According to the Post and Courier, Parris Island generates more than $700 million a year in economic activity and is associated with more than 6,000 jobs.
Sen. Lindsey Graham has also voiced support for keeping Parris Island open.
“I do not support and will never support closing Parris Island,” Graham said. “We can change the basic training rules to have men and women train in the same platoon like other services. I believe that over time this change will be good for the Marine Corps. However, closing Parris Island is a horrible idea. It should not happen today or in the future.”
Berger's suggestion to close the installation is gender-motivated -- the Marine Corps commandant says he does not believe Parris Island or San Diego are equipped to handle fully gender-integrated boot camps.
“We have to get to a place where on both coasts or at a third location, or whatever we end up with that every recruit male, female, there’s all there’s male and female around,” Berger said in an interview with Defense One.
The editorial staff of the Post and Courier believe this is the military's attempt at "foot-dragging or empire-building," rather than simply acquiescing to Congress's request that boot camps be gender-integrated once and for all.
Berger did not provide further details on how exactly a new installation is necessary in order to fully integrate genders in Marine Corps boot camp -- and Parris Island advocates such as Wilson and Norman are arguing that this can absolutely be accomplished at existing facilities. However, Berger has voiced support for gender integration in the past, saying he does not believe the Marine Corps can accomplish its mission without the dedication of female service members.
The legislation introduced by Wilson and Norman would bar the use of federal funds to close or realign Parris Island. The two representatives said Graham is expected to introduce companion legislation in the Senate.
--