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  • golf tournament

    6th Annual Sgt Lucas T. Pyeatt Memorial Golf Tournament

    The MCRD Museum Foundation is proud to announce that the 6th Annual Sgt Lucas T. Pyeatt Memorial Golf Tourament will be held on Saturday, 4 May 2024 at the Oaks North Golf Course, located at 12602 Oaks N Dr. San Diego, CA 92128.

  • Marine Family

    MARINE GRADUATIONS OPEN TO PUBLIC

    MCRD San Diego graduations are open to the public!
    Click below to visit the Depot's website to learn more.

  • Code Talkers Platoon

    Grad Photos and Grad Books

    The MCRD Museum Foundation maintains a collection of platoon photos, composite photos, and platoon books. 

  • Founding Fathers

    Our Mission

    Learn more about our mission to provide an educational setting for Marines & recruits, support the Command, and serve as a bridge to the local community.

  • Museum and Foundaton Programs

    Our Programs

    The MCRD Command Museum provides free programming to school groups and scouting groups which teach Core Values in a historic setting. We also serve active duty, veterans, and families through outreach programs that strengthen our local community.

  • MCRD Museum Docents

    Get Involved

    Help preserve and perpetuate Marine Corps history. Become a member, volunteer, or donate today. If you enjoy Marine Corps history, you will be forever moved by this experience!

  • Recruit Gear

    Show Your Pride

    Shop for your USMC gear here! All proceeds directly support the Museum and its programs for Marines and veterans.

  • sentry
  • gate
  • colors
  • semper fi
  • parade

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Museum, San Diego

The MCRD Museum opened its doors in 1987 due to the hard work of Marine veterans, their families, and friends of the Marine Corps. 
Since its opening, the MCRD Museum has continued to expand its galleries and exhibits.

The Museum's focus is the history of the Marine Corps in the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as the history of the Marines in Southern California. In addition to its many galleries, the Museum also maintains a Reference Center that includes an Archives and Research Library, a theater, a Visitor Reception Center, and a gift shop.

The MCRD San Diego Museum is a Federal Museum, owned and operated by the United States Marine Corps.  The MCRD Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that generously supports the MCRD Command Museum to promote and preserve Marine Corps history, educate youth and strengthen the bonds of community between active duty, veterans, and families. This website is run by the MCRD Museum Foundation.

 

Scroll down to learn more about MCRD San Diego, our Museum Staff, Foundation Board of Directors, and Foundation Staff.

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about mcrd san diego

MCRD's distinctive Spanish Colonial Revival architecture was master planned by noted Architect, Bertram Goodhue.  Goodhue also designed many of the buildings in Balboa Park, as well as the United States Military Academy in Westpoint, New York.

MCRD is significant not only for its architecture, but for its long history and ties to San Diego.  Opening in 1921 as Marine Base San Diego, the Marines have served in this same location for close to a century.

Today, MCRD San Diego recruits and trains men that enlist in recruiting districts west of the Mississippi River and women from across the United States to become Marines. MCRD also is home to Drill Instructor School, Recruiters School, and the 12th Marine Corps District.

museum staff

JOANIE SCHWARZ-WETTER
Museum Director

(619) 524-6719
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VINCENT GONZALEZ
EXHIBITS SPECIALIST

(619) 524-8159
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JOHN VAZQUEZ
Education Director

(619) 524-6038
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ELLEN GUILLEMETTE
HISTORIAN

(619) 524-6720

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Our Staff

Our Board of Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, but one thing unites them all, a passion for preserving and perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps. Many who serve on our Board have a strong connection with the Marine Corps Recruit Depot having drilled on the grinder, been stationed aboard the Depot, or felt the local impact of Marines in San Diego.

Foundation Board

Working Together to Promote Marine Corps Values

The Museum Foundation is fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate staff who work closely with the Museum staff and Depot leadership to support programs, exhibit upgrades, and outreach efforts. To get in touch with a Foundation staff member, please call the Foundation office at 619-524-4426 or contact us by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


KEY STAFF
Executive Director
Daren Erickson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Deputy Executive Director
Angela Kuhn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Director of Programs and Philanthropy
Alyssa Christensen This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 

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Foundation Staff