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.”