Support Battalion led by
Lieutenant Colonel Katherine Estes and
Sergeant Major Darrell L. Stillings has the unique mission of supporting nearly every aspect of recruit training.

From the moment new recruits step off the plane at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport until they graduate 12 weeks later, they come in contact with Support Battalion almost on a daily basis.

Support Battalion processes all new recruits through their initial four days on Parris Island, establish Service Record Books and enter each recruit into the Total Force System.

Support Battalion instructs academics, teach water survival and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), as well as develop and train new drill instructors at Drill Instructor School.

The Special Training Company, under the command of the Support Battalion, physically rehabilitates and strengthens those who become injured or are unable to sustain the required level of physical fitness, and ensure each new Marine is administratively qualified to graduate recruit training.

Since its beginnings, Support Battalion has been a firm foundation of support to provide the very best assistance to the recruit training process.