MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The Marine Corps has a symbiotic relationship with the Navy, which derives from riding ships around the world together for various combat missions or training exercises. The Marines stationed on the West Coast are easily deployable; ready to go when the need is there. The Pacific Marines weren't always mobile, however, as the their role in combat and relationship with the Navy changed drastically in the 1930s.
In the 1930s the Depot was known as Marine Corps Base, San Diego. The base had 50 officers and approximately 1,000 enlisted Marines. These men were spread to the old rifle range in La Jolla, Calif., the San Diego destroyer base, and Marine Corps Aviation Force at North Island.
The recruit depot, affectionately referred to as "R.D.," was only a small portion of MCB, San Diego. R.D. was staffed with 33 Marines authorized to train 270 recruits at a time.
In 1932, several organizations were maintained at MCB, San Diego. These organizations included Base Headquarters Company, Base Service Company, Fifth Company Engineers, 6th Battery of Artillery, Recruit Depot, Sea School, and First and Second Casual Companies.
The 6th Marine Regiment was reactivated in San Diego in September 1934. The regiment was commanded by Lt. Colonel Andrew B. Drum.
In December 1934, the Marine Corps leased 19,298 acres of a 32,000-acre section of land in the Kearney Mesa area from the city of San Diego to use primarily for artillery, anti-aircraft and machine gun practice for various units assigned to the base. The area was collectively referred to as Camp Holcomb, according to Ellen Guillemette, archivist, Command Museum.
In 1935, the base nearly doubled its manpower to 100 officers and close to 2,000 enlisted personnel.
Maj. Gen. John Henry Russell, Jr., was disappointed with the Marine Corps' role on the West Coast. He believed a ready, combat force should be in San Diego. In 1933, he wrote a letter to the chief of naval operations stating his goals for the Corps on the West Coast.
"Following this line of thought, it appears that the present title, expeditionary force, is a misnomer," wrote Russell. "A more appropriate title would be 'Fleet Base Defense Force,' or 'Fleet Marine Force.'"
The letter eventually made it to Adm. David F. Sellers, commander-in-chief, U.S. Fleet. He agreed with Russell's ideas and opinions and endorsed the idea.
"When the Fleet Marine Force is attached to the U.S. Fleet, the commander-in-chief will establish close contact with its commander and utilize such elements as are available during Fleet Tactical Exercises and Fleet Problems," the endorsement stated.
With this, a new relationship between the Marine Corps and Navy was conceived.
With a new lease on the Marine Corps purpose, Fleet Marine Forces were relocated to MCB, San Diego in 1935. 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, was moved to San Diego along with several other units from MCB, Quantico, Va. The force reached such high numbers that it was given brigade status. Now the 2nd Brigade, it made up the West Coast segment of Fleet Marine Forces.
Another unit aboard MCB, San Diego, was 2nd Signal Company. Upon completion of recruit training, new Marines with a knack for electronics were given a 21-week course on code, radio, field equipment and basic electronics.
Throughout the 1930s, the mission of the units aboard MCB, San Diego, was to prepare for expeditionary duty.
Headquarters, Fleet Marine Forces, was moved to MCB, San Diego in September 1935.
As times started to get tough in Europe, and World War II became imminent, a larger number of recruits began to pour onto the Depot.
In 1939, major construction began on MCB, San Diego. New barracks, 27 warehouses, mess facilities, a new exchange, a new psychiatric facility, new dental and medical facilities, a new administration building, an auditorium, a swimming pool, an amphibian shed and ramps for beach landing training were constructed during this period. Hundreds of 16-man huts were erected to accommodate the thousands of new recruits. Communications, motor transport, clerical, military police, first sergeants' and drill instructor schools were added, according to Guillemette.
Overall, the 1930s was a time of reinvention and reconstruction for the Marine Corps on the West Coast, especially for MCB, San Diego. A new working relationship with the Navy was formed, a new mission was set, and more young men then ever before came to be a part this Corps.