“Sergeants are the backbone of the Marine Corps,” but one might dare to say it is actually recruiters. From day one, they are tasked with finding and mentoring the future Marines of the Corps. While it is an arduous task, one Marine took it in stride by contracting over 100 applicants, helping him to earn the titles of "Recruiter of the Nation" and “Centurion.”
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Staff Sgt. Wesley Hayes joined the Marine Corps through the Musician Enlistment Option Program and became a Marine musician, continuing his passion for music. As a musician, he wasn’t planning on becoming a drill instructor. He actually wanted to become a recruiter. Regardless, Hayes is still able to educate future generations outside of schools and enjoys the influence he makes on recruits during their journey of becoming United States Marines.
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Staff Sgt. Joseph Maldonado, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, was traveling on the highway on his way to work when he happened upon a tragic accident. Blocking the left side of the highway was a three car pile up. Maldonado was fortunate enough to have his windows down when passing by and could hear a gentleman call out for help who was in a red Mercedes laid on its side.
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Oscar Medina has always been on a path to greatness while serving others. Medina is a Garden Grove native and lived there until middle school when his parents sent him to boarding school because of internal conflicts. He grew up in a strict Catholic home and was faced with adversity when telling his family that he was gay. Being sent to boarding school only led Medina to becoming more independent.
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A Marine Corps recruiter encounters many people throughout their time on this duty. A lot of the time we only hear about the success stories of future Marines, or about the vast amount of opportunities available for those who decide the Marine Corps might be for them. However we do not hear a lot about the individuals who are not able to take on the challenge of becoming a Marine.
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Educator’s Workshop is an opportunity for educators to see firsthand how United States Marines are made in Marine Corps recruit training. The workshop allows educators to learn about how the Marine Corps makes not only a better future for our Nation, but also a better future for the individuals who become Marines.
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Women began serving in the United States Marine Corps in 1918 when Opha Mae Johnson became the first of approximately 300 female Marines that volunteered for temporary clerical duty. In 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was passed by Congress, permanently allowing women to join and serve in the Marine Corps.
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Life can sometimes take a turn we weren’t expecting. For Brennan McLean, that turn happened early starting in high school. At just 17 years old, Brennan dropped out of high school because he lost all motivation and direction. His parents, although wanting to be supportive, grew concerned with the circumstance McLean found himself in.
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Jung Hyun Ahn was born on May 6, 1999, in Seoul, South Korea. His parents Jaeyoung and Jiyeon, welcomed their second son into this world with joy and excitement for this next chapter in their lives. Jung grew up with two older siblings, his brother Se Hyun Ahn and his sister Ji Hyun Ahn. Jung was not always around his siblings throughout the years due to them attending boarding school in London.
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The thing about the Marine Corps is that Marines are constantly moving from one duty station to the next. Their time in one location is not long, but the impact they can make is lifelong.Marine Corps Recruiting Station Orange County was given the opportunity to help our local communities' effort in their annual Winter Toy Drive 2020. Purist, a unique collection of good people who share common passion in cars, motorcycles and the finer things in life, along with California Love Drop, an organization made up of local organizations and businesses trying to make a difference, co-hosted Purist’s eighth annual Winter Toy Drive.
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Four years ago retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Tim Anderson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Earlier this year he was given the heartbreaking news that his diagnosis had transitioned into the late stages of Lou Gherig’s disease. Colleen Anderson, Tim’s beloved wife of forty-one years, didn’t know if her husband would be able to celebrate and experience another Marine Corps birthday.
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