MCRC News

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.

Marine Corps Recruit the Recruiter Campaign delivers more than 800 volunteers

The Marine Corps' first Recruit the Recruiter campaign has produced more than 800 Marines to recruit the next generation of Marines. The campaign is designed to help incentivize the most qualified Non-Commissioned Officers in the Marine Corps to volunteer to become recruiters to help find, and accession goals set by the National Defense Strategy.

Read More

Christina Johnson (left), Marine Veteran and project manager for the National Museum of the Marine Corps, stands next to her fellow Marines during her graduation from the Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Johnson joined the Marine Corps in 1993 as military police and later on decided to join the MCESG program. (Courtesy Photo) - Christina Johnson (left), Marine Veteran and project manager for the National Museum of the Marine Corps, stands next to her fellow Marines during her graduation from the Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Johnson joined the Marine Corps in 1993 as military police and later on decided to join the MCESG program. (Courtesy Photo)

Veteran Marine Works to Preserve History She Helped Create

The saying goes, "Once a Marine, always a Marine". For Christina Johnson, project manager for the National Museum of the Marine Corps, every day reminds her of the faithful service that both she and others have dedicated to the Corps. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnson, a former sergeant, stood in the museum overlook while observing the traditional cake cutting ceremony for the Marine Corps Birthday. As the Marines march in with the cake and pass the piece of cake from the oldest Marine to the youngest, Johnson notices a woman next to her crying.

Read More

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)

Pain primes passion for poetry

Stress, job loss, illness, change, hardships, loss of a loved one; these are just a few of life’s many inevitable events. During these situations, healthy coping mechanisms can be used as a way for us to manage these occurrences. Some people choose to exercise, vent their frustrations with someone they trust, or spend time with family and friends. There are a myriad of coping mechanisms, and for Tania Raquel Bryant, writing became one of them, pouring her emotions all over blank papers with her thoughts in ink.

Read More

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.

Read More

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)

QUITTING WAS NEVER AN OPTION: FEMALE MARINE GRADUATES AFTER 11 MONTHS AT PARRIS ISLAND

Pfc. Ana DominguezValazquez, a Marine from Recruiting Sub-Station Fullerton, Recruiting Station Orange County, shipped to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Mar. 15, 2021. She entered recruit training prepared and resilient at the beginning of June 2021, but after obtaining a serious injury, had to quickly adapt her plan. One month into recruit training, DominguezValazquez started having pain in her hips. The Navy doctors informed her she had broken her hip during training.

Read More

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)

From Athlete to Coach to Marine

Cpl. Dimeire Williams has always been athletic. He lettered in lacrosse, football, indoor track and volleyball at John Dickinson High School in Wilmington, Del. Williams stopped playing sports altogether after graduating high school in 2017 and decided not to continue his education. With no real goal for himself, he traded his playing days for coaching duties by becoming a lacrosse coach at Delaware State Community College.

Read More

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)

RS Baltimore MAC wins MCRC MAC of the Year

RS BALTIMORE MAC WINS MCRC MAC OF THE YEAR ATLANTA – 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.

Read More

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)

The Armorer: Lance Cpl. Malik Scott-George

Sitting in his "cage," Lance Cpl. Malik Scott-George cleans an M240 Bravo machine gun. His hands are covered with carbon as he works through the endless pile of parts, meticulously cleaning each one. Scott-George, a 20-year-old native of Kissimmee, Florida and a graduate of Liberty High school, an armorer at The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia carefully inspects each weapon inside and out, looking for any signs of damage or carbon build-up. His concentration is unbreakable as he focuses on every little detail of the weapon to ensure he makes no mistakes.

Read More

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)

Inspiring Troops to Travel

As a young child, Jessica Quezada grew up with an adventurous spirit. She inherited this mindset from her grandmother, who would constantly travel the world and share how there was more to life than her neighborhood in Dallas, Texas. Quezada’s desire to travel and see the world led her to the Marine Corps, where she served as a public affairs Marine, traveling to seven different countries. However, she felt that other service members were not encouraged to travel, which inspired her to create her business, LiboRisk, when she left the Marine Corps in 2020.

Read More

The Guide: A Future Marine's First Step Towards Becoming a Leader

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.

Read More