Lance Cpl. Tania R. Bryant, an administration specialist at 6th Marine Corps District, displays her poetry book in the library at 6th MCD, Parris Island, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 2022. Bryant, despite the challenges faced, took her passion of writing and gave it a proper book cover, publishing her first poetry book titled "Poetic Lifelines". (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin Lopez Herrera) - Lance Cpl. Tania R. Bryant, an administration specialist at 6th Marine Corps District, displays her poetry book in the library at 6th MCD, Parris Island, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 2022. Bryant, despite the challenges faced, took her passion of writing and gave it a proper book cover, publishing her first poetry book titled "Poetic Lifelines". (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin Lopez Herrera)

Marine Corps Recruiting Command senior enlisted leaders known as the “Gray Beards” stand with Maj. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm during a two-day symposium, Feb 22-23,2022. MCRC CG met with senior enlisted leaders to discuss the way ahead with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. The group discussed matters pertaining to the future health of the 8412 military occupational specialty (career recruiter), the current state of recruiting duty and the way forward. The meeting of “Gray Beards” is hosted annually in order to ensure the recruiting foundation stays strong by empowering the elder statesmen the opportunity to positively effect change and ensure mission success. After two years of unprecedented times in military recruiting, the group, which included the MCRC, Eastern and Western Recruiting Region Sergeants Major, must collectively discuss ways for the command to evolve.“MCRC is facing what is arguably one of the most challenging times in recruiting since the all-volunteer force,” said Bohm, during his remarks to the group. “FY21 was challenging and it was not all COVID. COVID changed the way we conducted business because we had to work across many different media to reach people. Inflation has caused our spending power to go down and with limited funds, the money doesn’t go very far.” - Marine Corps Recruiting Command senior enlisted leaders known as the “Gray Beards” stand with Maj. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm during a two-day symposium, Feb 22-23,2022. MCRC CG met with senior enlisted leaders to discuss the way ahead with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. The group discussed matters pertaining to the future health of the 8412 military occupational specialty (career recruiter), the current state of recruiting duty and the way forward. The meeting of “Gray Beards” is hosted annually in order to ensure the recruiting foundation stays strong by empowering the elder statesmen the opportunity to positively effect change and ensure mission success. After two years of unprecedented times in military recruiting, the group, which included the MCRC, Eastern and Western Recruiting Region Sergeants Major, must collectively discuss ways for the command to evolve. “MCRC is facing what is arguably one of the most challenging times in recruiting since the all-volunteer force,” said Bohm, during his remarks to the group. “FY21 was challenging and it was not all COVID. COVID changed the way we conducted business because we had to work across many different media to reach people. Inflation has caused our spending power to go down and with limited funds, the money doesn’t go very far.”

U.S. Marine Pfc. Ana DominguezValazquez, with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Obrea, California on Feb. 15, 2022. DominguezValazguez broke and fractured her hips in recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. She spent a total of eleven months at Parris Island before being able to graduate as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marine Pfc. Ana DominguezValazquez, with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Obrea, California on Feb. 15, 2022. DominguezValazguez broke and fractured her hips in recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. She spent a total of eleven months at Parris Island before being able to graduate as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

U.S Marine Corps Cpl. Dimerie Williams, a motor vehicle operator, practices the rifle line with the ceremonial platoon at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Jan. 27. The Ceremonial platoon plans, coordinates, and provides color guard details for on and off ceremonies and conducting funeral details. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez) - U.S Marine Corps Cpl. Dimerie Williams, a motor vehicle operator, practices the rifle line with the ceremonial platoon at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Jan. 27. The Ceremonial platoon plans, coordinates, and provides color guard details for on and off ceremonies and conducting funeral details. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez)

Marine Corps Recruiting Command named Recruiting Station Baltimore’s Sgt. Nathaniel Q. Hamilton the MCRC Marketing and Communication Marine of the Year during the annual MAC Summit at Wunderman Thompson, MCRC’s contracted advertising agency, Feb. 9, 2022. (U.S Marine Corps photo edited by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich) - Marine Corps Recruiting Command named Recruiting Station Baltimore’s Sgt. Nathaniel Q. Hamilton the MCRC Marketing and Communication Marine of the Year during the annual MAC Summit at Wunderman Thompson, MCRC’s contracted advertising agency, Feb. 9, 2022. (U.S Marine Corps photo edited by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Scott-George, an armorer, assists a fellow Marine with assembling an M240 machine gun at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, February 2, 2021. “Black History month is a month where we can learn about the history African Americans have in this country, and it gives us a chance to learn about and celebrate important people in black history and what they have accomplished,” Scott-George said. Throughout Black History Month, the Marine Corps joins the nation in celebrating representation, the identity of every individual Marine, and the diversity that strengthens the Corps. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Scott-George, an armorer, assists a fellow Marine with assembling an M240 machine gun at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, February 2, 2021. “Black History month is a month where we can learn about the history African Americans have in this country, and it gives us a chance to learn about and celebrate important people in black history and what they have accomplished,” Scott-George said. Throughout Black History Month, the Marine Corps joins the nation in celebrating representation, the identity of every individual Marine, and the diversity that strengthens the Corps. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

Jessica Quezada, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, poses for a photo at Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree, California during a LiboRisk event, Jan. 29, 2022. Quezada is the founder of LiboRisk, a travel community to bring active duty and veteran service members together to further build camaraderie outside the military and expose attendees to new, positive experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Dornfeld) - Jessica Quezada, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, poses for a photo at Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree, California during a LiboRisk event, Jan. 29, 2022. Quezada is the founder of LiboRisk, a travel community to bring active duty and veteran service members together to further build camaraderie outside the military and expose attendees to new, positive experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Dornfeld)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Izhar Weaver with Recruiting Station Sacramento was presented the Centurion Award Jan. 3, 2022. The title "Centurion" is only awarded to Marines who write 100 or more contracts during their 36 months on recruiting duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jocelyn Ontiveros) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Izhar Weaver with Recruiting Station Sacramento was presented the Centurion Award Jan. 3, 2022. The title "Centurion" is only awarded to Marines who write 100 or more contracts during their 36 months on recruiting duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jocelyn Ontiveros)