The Forth Recruit Training Battalion is led by Lieutenant Colonel Karla M. Jessup and Sergeant Major Laura L. Brown. Within Fourth Battalion, there are three companies: Co. N, Co. O,and Co. P. Each company contains an average of two, 50- to 60-recruit platoons. Fourth Battalion trains only female recruits.

Female Marines have trained aboard Parris Island since February 23, 1949 when 3rd RTBn. was activated aboard the Parris Island with Company K and Company L in what is now Headquarters, 6 th Marine Corps District. On 1 May 1954, 3 rd Recruit Training Battalion was re-designated as Woman Recruit Training Battalion and remained under this designation until 1976 when it was re-designated as Woman Recruit Training Command. At that time, Woman Recruit Training Command moved to a new battalion complex which it still occupies.

On 1 November 1986, Woman Recruit Training Command was re-designated as 4th RTBn. and became part of the Recruit Training Regiment. During January 1989, K and L Companies were re-designated as N and O Companies respectively due to reorganization of the regiment. In October 1996, P Company was activated in order to more effectively train the larger number of female recruits arriving on Parris Island. The 4th RTBn. complex was expanded in November 2001 with the addition of a new barracks.

Recruit training is now identical for both male and female recruits, but this is a result of many significant changes over the last 25 years. Some of the key changes were:

1978-First females graduate from Drill Instructor School.

1985-Females began firing the M16A2 for qualification, which added an additional three weeks to the female schedule.

1988-Basic Warrior Training/Marine Combat Training was incorporated into recruit training for females, adding another two weeks to the schedule.

1996-Female drill instructors were allowed to wear the Campaign Cover, replacing the scarlet cord.

1997-Marine Combat Training was removed from the female recruit training schedule with the introduction of the Crucible, resulting in the current 12-week schedule for both male and female recruits. Females Marines subsequently began attending Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry (East) prior to follow-on military occupational specialty (MOS) training. Female Marines throughout the Marine Corps also started conducting the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) that mirrors the male PFT, adding additional physical training into the schedule.

Roughly 2,400 female recruits come through 4th RTBn. each year, trained by the very women who have seen and been part of the transformation that has brought us to where we are today.