San Diego
The Recruit Training Regiment (RTR) at MCRD San Diego consists of 3 Recruit Training Battalions, a Support Battalion, and a Regimental Headquarters. Recruits will spend their time aboard the Depot as part of RTR.
Recruit Battalions are made of Recruit Training Companies and a Headquarters Company
1st Recruit Training Battalion - Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta Companies (1000 series Platoons)
2nd Recruit Training Battalion - Echo, Fox, Golf, Hotel Companies (2000 series Platoons)
3rd Recruit Training Battalion - Kilo, India, Lima, Mike Companies (3000 series Platoons)
Support Battalion - Instructional Training Company, Special Training Company, Recruit Processing Company
Regimental Headquarters - Drill Instructor School
First Battalion
"Big Red One"
Within 1st Recruit Training Battalion, there are four companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta.
Each company contains an average of six platoons with 60 to 80 recruits per platoon.
The battalion was established on Sep. 7, 1945, 24 years after San Diego was first designated as a Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Second Battalion
"Second to None"
Within 2nd Recruit Training Battalion (RTBn), there are four companies: Echo, Fox, Golf and Hotel.
Each company contains an average of six platoons with 60 to 80 recruits per platoon.
The Second Battalion has been around since World War Two, and has many famous Marines who have graduated from its ranks.
Third Battalion
"Thundering Third"
Within the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, there are four training companies: India, Kilo, Lima, and Mike. Each company contains an average of six, 60 to 80-recruit platoons.
3rd Battalion was initially formed on Dec. 2, 1941, and existed throughout World War II. It has been deactivated and reactivated multiple times, but remained in continuous operations since the 1980s.
The Third Battalion has an unofficial reputation as being the toughest recruit training battalion to graduate from, putting recruits through the toughest training of any battalion.
