Welcome to Naval Dental Center Parris Island! I know moving into a new command, in an unfamiliar part of the country can be pretty stressful. One of the best ways to get off to a fast start is to be familiar with the command, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and the Beaufort area. This page is designed to provide information to help make your transition as smooth as possible. Almost everything you need to know is here at your finger tips and what you cannot find, your sponsor will be more than happy to provide. I know this will be the best tour of your naval career. I am sure you will be happy with your orders to Parris Island. The professional atmosphere and quality of life are the best in the Navy. I am very much looking forward to meeting and serving with you. Once again -- WELCOME ABOARD!!!

G. R. Hull, Dental Corps, USN, Commanding Officer

Welcome to the Lowcountry of South Carolina! Your assignment at Parris Island is guaranteed to be one of your most challenging and rewarding tours. We enjoy an exceptional reputation throughout Navy Medicine and look forward to having you as a member of "OUR NAVY AND MARINE CORPS TEAM" at Parris Island. Your shipmates are committed to ensuring your transition is as smooth as possible, so if you do not find the information you need here, do not hesitate to call your sponsor or me. WELCOME ABOARD and enjoy your tour.

W. L. Green, USN, Command Master Chief

"...no fairer or fitter place..." was said by Jean Ribaut as he sailed into Port Royal Harbor. Many of us also believe there is no fairer or fitter place to be stationed. The Naval Dental Center, Parris Island, and our Branch Dental Clinic at the Marine Corps Air Station 10 miles away, are located in the beautiful South Carolina low-country. The Beaufort area (pronounced Bee-you-fert) is steeped in history dating back nearly 500 years. One of the first areas in the New World to be visited, it was first discovered by the Spaniards in the early 1500's. Beaufort boasts settlements by the Spanish Conquistadors, the French Huguenots, English privateers and pirates, and even Scottish fur traders. In the early 1700's, the English chartered Beaufort, and named the area after one of the original proprietors, Henry, Duke of Beaufort. In 1715, Colonel Alexander Parris established a plantation on this island, hence it's name. Variously raising indigo, rice, and Sea Island cotton, plantations brought great prosperity to this area. Riding through our tree lined streets, this prosperity is evident in the many beautiful, grandiose mansions built in the 1700 and 1800's. A favorite of filmmakers, some of these homes have been featured in films including "The Great Santini", and "The Prince of Tides", and parts of "Forrest Gump" were filmed in the Beaufort area.

In 1882, Congress approved funds to purchase land on Parris Island to construct a Naval Station. By 1889, Naval Station Port Royal served as a Marine Officers' School and Naval Disciplinary Barracks. The Marine Corps' first detachment came to Parris Island during 1891 to provide security for the Naval Station. In 1915, the Naval Station was designated as a Marine Barracks for the training of recruits. Recruit training began in November 1915, and has continued since. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, recruits poured into Parris Island, with over 9000 arriving in January 1942 alone! From 1941 through 1945 over 200,000 recruits were trained here. When the Japanese surrendered there were more than 20,000 recruits being trained in 13 battalions aboard the Depot. There are now 4 recruit training battalions, including the 4th Recruit Training Battalion, for female recruits, the only such command in existence.