Marines and Yellow Foot Prints
If you talk to a Marine or are hanging around one of us (don’t worry, we will gladly inform you that we are Marines) you have certainly heard about the infamous yellow footprints. Here is the story of those footprints.
An overwhelming majority of the Marine Corps recruits arrived at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San Diego or Parris Island via a white school bus (occasionally a Marine Corps-themed wrapped bus is used). Most arrive in the very early morning hours when it is still dark. The ride on the bus is extremely quiet as all the recruits have their heads down. The bus stops at the gate to the Depot, and it moves on after a brief inspection and then it passes through the Depot gates. Every recruit is waiting for the storm that they know is coming. They hear the air brakes hiss as the bus comes to a stop and they slide forward in their seat due to the momentum. Their hearts start to beat faster as they mentally prepare for the storm that is about to consume them.
***Full Disclosure*** I went to MCRD San Diego on March 2nd, 1988. However, I was TAD on MCRD Parris Island in September 1991 for NCO school (the last class to go through NCO school at Parris Island). So, I have been on board both Depots.
I have only ever met one Marine who said that he didn’t stand on the footprints. He claimed that he was driven in a car to MCRD Parris Island.
MCRD Parris Island (map) – aka – Fantasy Island
The bus pulls up to a nondescript building, it comes to a complete stop, the door opens and in walks, this Marine Drill Instructor, standing somewhere around nine feet tall and as big as a house. This Marine, in a very loud and stern voice, “welcomes” the recruits to the Depot.
“You are now aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and you have just taken the first step toward becoming a member of the world’s finest fighting force — the United States Marine Corps. … Tens of thousands of Marines began outstanding service to our country on the very footprints where you are standing. You will carry on their proud tradition.”
For many recruits, this is their first introduction to a Marine besides our recruiter. The recruiter is always super nice and bittersweet because their job is to get you to sign up to join the Marines. The drill instructor’s job is to break you down and build you back as a Marine.
The Drill Instructor orders them to get off their bus. As the recruits exit the bus, 5 or 6 drill instructors are screaming at them to quickly get off the bus, and get on the yellow footprints that run parallel to the bus. Once they are all off the bus and the bus leaves, they are given an introduction speech.
“You are now aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island South Carolina, and you have just taken the first step toward becoming a member of the world’s finest fighting force, the United States Marine Corps.”
Before recruits are taken inside, they are presented with a sign explaining parts of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ is the laws and legal system of the United States military.
Next, the recruits are directed through the silver hatches and into the receiving barracks. Over the next few days, they will receive their uniforms, and equipment (minus their rifle) that they will require during the 13 weeks of recruit training. They will also learn the basics, like making their rack (bed), how to take a shower, and how to polish your boots. They learn how to stand in line, “A to B”, which is “Asshole to Belly button”, referring to how they line up and follow the recruit in front of them. Their belly button is tight up against that other person’s asshole. They also fill out a ton of paperwork and make the first and only phone call home to their family, letting them know that they arrived safely.
The phone call is very much scripted, the recruits are only authorized to say what is on the sign by the phone. The script goes something like this:
- This is recruit (Last Name)
- I have arrived safely at Parris Island.
- Please do not send any food or bulky items.
- I will contact you in 7 to 9 days via postcard with my new mailing address.
- Thank you for your support. Goodbye for now.
Recruits Arriving On Board MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina
MCRD San Diego (map) – aka – Hollywood
The bus pulls up to a nondescript building, in front of the building are two sets of yellow footprints. The first set is facing the bus and the second set is at a 90-degree angle to the first set.
The bus stops, the door opens and in walks, this Marine Drill Instructor, standing 9 feet tall and as big as a house. This Marine, in a very loud and stern voice, “welcomes” the recruits to the Depot.Â
“Sit Up straight! Get your eyes On me! You are now aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, receiving barracks, building 622. The last word out of your mouth will be ‘sir’ and it will be loud! Do you understand? Now when I tell you to get off my bus, you will bring everything off the bus, you brought on the bus, and you’ll get on my yellow footprints. Do you understand? Get off my bus right now!
Like Parris Island recruits, for many recruits, this is their first introduction to a Marine besides our recruiter.Â
As the recruits exit the bus, 5 or 6 drill instructors are screaming at them to quickly get off the bus, and get on the footprints that run parallel to the bus.
Before they head indoors, they move to the second set of yellow footprints and are like Parris Island recruits, they are presented with the UCMJ sign.
Once the recruits have been educated on the UCMJ, they enter the receiving barracks via double doors.
Just like recruits from Parris Island, they are processed and given the opportunity to call home and read the script to their loved ones.
Recruits Arriving On Board MCRD San Diego, California
The footprints are designed to get the recruits in formation and to keep things organized. Most have not realized that by standing on those footprints, they are learning where to stand in formation. Many Marines, associate the footprints as the gateway between civilian and Marine.
As the recruits are standing on the footprints, the drill instructors swarm around them looking for any reason to get in your face. It isn’t personal, they don’t know you and will not get to know you, these are the receiving drill instructors and their job is to get you indoctrinated into the Marine Corps.Â
These footprints are so revered in the Marine Corps, that they are even listed on Google Maps (see above links). And for many of us, it is our first step into the Marine Corps.
But there weren’t always footprints painted on the pavement in front of the receiving barracks, they appeared reportedly in January 1965.
Depending on the location of where you enlisted, determines which Recruit Depot you go to.
If you’re from East of the Mississippi River, then you go to Boot Camp at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.
If you’re from West of the Mississippi River, then you go to Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego, California.
*** Yes, I live in Ohio and Yes, that is East of the Mississippi, and Yes, I went to San Diego. Not sure why, but a group of us all shipped out at the same time and that is where we all went.
The Facts
The yellow footprints are painted golden yellow (HEX #e6b127)
MCRD Parris Island, there is only one set of footprints. There are two columns of 25 pairs of yellow footprints all at a 45° angle, heel to heel. They are spaced roughly 30″
side to side and 40″ front to back.
MCRD San Diego has two sets of footprints, one when you get off the bus, facing the bus, and another set, behind that set, rotated at 90°, facing the UCMJ sign on the side of the receiving barracks.
The first set is 15 columns of 4 pairs of yellow footprints, all at a 45° angle, heel to heel. They are spaced roughly 40″
side to side and 30″ front to back.
The second set is two columns of 30 pairs of yellow footprints, all at a 45° angle, heel to heel. They are spaced roughly 30″ side to side and 40″ front to back.
This is one of the main sites to see when Marines visit MCRD with their family. The yellow footprints are almost sacred.
