For the first time on the west coast, a company of all women Marine recruits will begin training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego County. The group of 59 women recruits will be known as Lima Company during their 12-week training which will take place alongside over 300 male recruits.
Previously, women Marine recruits received their boot camp training at Parris Island in South Carolina, which houses several integrated platoons.
Col. Matt Palma is the commanding officer of the Recruit Training Regiment at MCRD San Diego, and the first to oversee an integrated platoon in San Diego. Palma told NBC7 that “Female Marines have been serving in combat for years. This is going to better prepare the Marines ... for the reality of the Marine Corps.”
Palma also feels that what this company of women recruits are accomplishing in San Diego will be an opportunity for the Marine Corps. “We may be able to recruit more young capable female recruits to come here,” Palma said.
Six women drill instructors were transferred to MCRD for the Lima Company training and minor facility modifications were made as well.
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