Government shutdown begins: Port Royal Marine base furloughs 133 civilian workers

The federal government shutdown hit home in Port Royal on Wednesday when the U.S. Marine Corps training and recruiting base for the eastern United States furloughed more than 100 civilian employees. Besides the financial blow to the workers, the temporary loss of the “non-essential” workers will result in longer waits at the front gate for those visiting the base.

On Wednesday morning, the Marines furloughed 133 non-essential civilian employees who work at the Recruit Depot Parris Island, said Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarbrough, a Marine spokesman. That’s about 16% of the civilian workforce at the base.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is the U.S. Marine Corps recruiting and basic training installation for the Eastern Region of the United States.

In addition to the roughly 10,000 to 17,000 recruits who are trained each year at the base, 2,000 permanent active-duty Marines and 800 civilian employees work there.

The 133 employees who were furloughed are considered “non-essential” employees and they will not be paid during the shutdown although they will receive backpay once it is over, Yarbrough said. Essential employees are continuing to work along with military personnel -- without pay.

A furlough is a temporary suspension from work without pay.

The types of jobs civilians perform at the base fall in various fields from administration to public works to logistics, Yarbrough said.

The motto at 8,000-acre Parris Island, which is printed on its water tower, is, “We Make Marines.”

Even with the shutdown, training is continuing as usual at the South Carolina base.

“On Friday we still have graduation,” said Yarbrough, referring to the weekly graduation ceremonies for recruits. “We will continue our mission of making Marines even during this non-appropriations time.”

The loss of the non-essential civilian employees will be noticed by members of the public who visit the base golf course or museum, Yarbrough said. Uniformed service members will supplement those facilities to keep them open. However, the pass and identification office is closing. That office typically prescreens many visitors. However, because of the civilian furloughs, all cursory background checks for visitors will need to be done at the gate until the shutdown is over.

“If you are coming to play golf or visit our museum, plan accordingly because it will take more time,” Yarbrough said.

The shutdown began on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a short-term deal to keep the government funded.

This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM.