MCRC News

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.”

Gray Beards Conference

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.

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U.S. Marine Corps recruiters monitoring physical training the students conduct. - U.S. Marine Corps recruiters monitoring physical training the students conduct.

Warrior Wednesday: Local Recruiter Impacts Northern Michigan Youth After School

Staff Sergeant Andrew Kuc is a Marine in Northern Michigan– trying to make a difference. He’s a recruiter– and helps show students different options after high school. Every Thursday, Staff Sergeant Kuc works with Gaylord students, graduates, and the cheer team for an hour after school.

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Timothy A. Bodenhamer, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Costa Mesa, California on Dec. 10, 2021. Staff Sgt. Aaron Cerulle, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, exclaims Bodenhamer is one of the most motivated future Marines within the Delayed Entry Program, and is driven towards being a part of a new founded family tradition by following in his brother's footsteps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Timothy A. Bodenhamer, a future Marine with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Costa Mesa, California on Dec. 10, 2021. Staff Sgt. Aaron Cerulle, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Costa Mesa, Recruiting Station Orange County, exclaims Bodenhamer is one of the most motivated future Marines within the Delayed Entry Program, and is driven towards being a part of a new founded family tradition by following in his brother's footsteps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

MOTIVATION AND TRADITION DRIVES FUTURE MARINES

Timothy Bodenhamer knew at a young age that he wanted to join the United States Marine Corps. When Bodenhamer was a sophomore in high school, his older brother, Torsten, a senior at the time, decided he wanted to become a Marine. When Torsten became a part of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), a program that prepares future Marines for the rigors of recruit training, he was inspired. His older brother went to recruit training in October of 2019, and went on to become a communications Marine. Through the past few years, Bodenhamer has stayed in contact with his older brother, who is currently stationed in Lejune, North Carolina, and was consistently being mentored by him to consider the Marine Corps.

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U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Mayfield, the MCRC National Training Team Training Officer, presents at the Marine Corps Recruiting Command National Operations and Training Symposium in San Antonio, Tx. Oct. 18-21. The command uses this time to recognize recruiting station commanders, who superiorly performed in the last fiscal year, and to provide all of them training to help find success in the upcoming fiscal year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling) - U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Mayfield, the MCRC National Training Team Training Officer, presents at the Marine Corps Recruiting Command National Operations and Training Symposium in San Antonio, Tx. Oct. 18-21. The command uses this time to recognize recruiting station commanders, who superiorly performed in the last fiscal year, and to provide all of them training to help find success in the upcoming fiscal year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling)

MCRC Leadership gets 'back to basics' for FY22

Marine Corps Recruiting Command conducted its National Operations and Training Symposium in San Antonio, Texas, Oct 20-21. Command leadership took time during the symposium to recognize recruiting station and prior service recruiting station commanders, who performed superbly during Fiscal Year 2021. Twenty-seven of the 48 RS commanders and three PSRS commanders were recognized as this year’s Superior Achievers.

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A rodeo attendee attempts pull-ups during a Marine Corps Pull-Up Challenge at the Salinas Rodeo in Salinas, California Sept. 25, 2021. The Marines of Recruiting Sub-Station Salinas hosted a pull-up challenge and talked to rodeo attendees interested in learning more about the opportunities available within the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alina Thackray) - A rodeo attendee attempts pull-ups during a Marine Corps Pull-Up Challenge at the Salinas Rodeo in Salinas, California Sept. 25, 2021. The Marines of Recruiting Sub-Station Salinas hosted a pull-up challenge and talked to rodeo attendees interested in learning more about the opportunities available within the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alina Thackray)

MCRC briefly celebrates FY21 mission success, focuses on FY22 challenges

Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) successfully closed out Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 mission in all categories, Sept. 30, 2021, signally an end to one of the more challenging years in recent memory for the command. Despite several challenges that greatly impacted recruiting efforts, the daily grind, commitment, and relentless effort of Marine Recruiters and Officer Selection Officers (OSOs) across the Nation resulted in more than 1,880 officer accessions and 36,424 enlisted accessions during FY 2021.

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U.S. Marine Pfc. Emily Zamudio with Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry (SOI) West, prepares for a shooting drill at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on Sept. 1, 2021. Zamudio graduated recruit training from the first female platoon to become Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 2021. She then progressed to SOI West where she completed the Infantry Marine Course and earned the military occupational specialty of 0311, infantry Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tessa D. Watts) - U.S. Marine Pfc. Emily Zamudio with Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry (SOI) West, prepares for a shooting drill at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on Sept. 1, 2021. Zamudio graduated recruit training from the first female platoon to become Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 2021. She then progressed to SOI West where she completed the Infantry Marine Course and earned the military occupational specialty of 0311, infantry Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tessa D. Watts)

Trailblazing through glass ceilings: U.S. Marine Emily Zamudio

In a matter of months, one particular female Marine has made history not once, but twice, inspiring young girls and women throughout the United States that they can do whatever they set their mind to. U.S. Marine Pfc. Emily Zamudio, an infantry Marine currently assigned with Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry (SOI) West, and scheduled to report to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, made history when she graduated recruit training from the very first female platoon to train at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 2021. This was monumental because female recruits have only ever trained and became United States Marines exclusively at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Anthony Sandoval, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Mission Viejo, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo with Peyton Forman, a local teenager with autism, in Mission Viejo, California on August 4, 2021. Sandoval wanted to personally meet with Peyton to get to know him and present him with a Marine Corps shirt. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Anthony Sandoval, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Mission Viejo, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo with Peyton Forman, a local teenager with autism, in Mission Viejo, California on August 4, 2021. Sandoval wanted to personally meet with Peyton to get to know him and present him with a Marine Corps shirt. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

I Do It For The Community

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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This photo illustration poster is designed to inform and grab attention prospective recruiting volunteers. - This photo illustration poster is designed to inform and grab attention prospective recruiting volunteers.

New Incentives Announced for Recruiting Duty Volunteers

Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) launched a Recruit the Recruiter campaign earlier this month. The campaign provides increased incentives for Marines volunteering for recruiting duty and has the potential to significantly impact the future readiness of the Corps. There are several benefits and incentives for Marines who volunteer to serve on recruiting duty. Details surrounding one of the most sought after incentives was announced by the Marine Corps in MARADMIN 350/21 on July 8, 2021. This incentive allows volunteers to choose their preferred RS location as long as they complete their request within the volunteering window that started July 7, 2021 and ends Dec. 31, 2021.

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U.S. Marines at Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, pose for a photo with future Marine Luis Solano in Fullerton, California, on April 15, 2021. Marines at RSS Fullerton came together in order to assist Solano’s family with assistance in fixing their van, and providing him with a cell phone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marines at Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, pose for a photo with future Marine Luis Solano in Fullerton, California, on April 15, 2021. Marines at RSS Fullerton came together in order to assist Solano’s family with assistance in fixing their van, and providing him with a cell phone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

It's What Marines Do

Maria Sanchez and Jesus Solano, the mother and father of future Marine Luis Solano, immigrated to the United States from Mexico in the early 2000s. They had their first son Luis in September of 2003 which was one of their main reasons for staying in California. From there, they added two little girls and three younger boys. Growing up as the oldest, Solano had the responsibility to help take care of his siblings and assist in providing for them. Maria and Jesus instilled in Solano that everything he gets from life is earned, never given.

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U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Sawyer M. Montgomery, a temporary officer selection assistant with Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo on April 12, 2021, in Santa Ana, California. Montgomery is one of the select few Marine Corps officers who is aspiring to become a Marine Corps pilot. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Sawyer M. Montgomery, a temporary officer selection assistant with Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo on April 12, 2021, in Santa Ana, California. Montgomery is one of the select few Marine Corps officers who is aspiring to become a Marine Corps pilot. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

A 2nd Lieutenants Desired Future of Leading from the Air

As a Marine, you are either in the infantry or you support the infantry. Marine Corps aviation plays a major contribution to achieving mission success while working with their ground counterparts. A Marine Corps pilot is able to provide support for the mission and decisions of what ends up being the maneuver warfare. One of the biggest impacts aviation plays in is the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The MAGTF is the only combined combat organization in the world that consists of all integrated parts of cohesively working together while being in the air, land, and sea.

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