DALLAS, Texas -- In a profession where one is required to prospect young individuals to serve and be a part of something more, one would expect to find extreme difficulty in finding those who want to earn the title.
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Robert Milton Simms Jr. knew failure wasn’t an option.
Staff Sgt. Simms is a native of Salisbury, Maryland, and was recruited from Recruiting Station Baltimore. On September 10, 2012, he started his career in the United States Marine Corps. His original military occupational specialty (MOS) was 3043, Supply Admin and Operations Specialist.
In 2019, he was chosen to be a part of Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) and to help prospect as a canvassing recruiter in Mesquite, Texas part of Recruiting Sub Station Mesquite, Recruiting Station Dallas. During this time, Staff Sgt. Simms worked relentlessly on contracting, exceeding his peers by leaps and bounds.
“Most of the time I just try to be as realistic as possible with the kids. They resonate with the truthful nature and honestly want to belong or prove themselves,” said Simms.
100% of his contracts were Tier 1 education category, 72% of his contracts were CAT I-III Alphas, and he had a 2.33 APR (Average Production per Recruiter) by the end of his tour in September 2022. He grossed a total of 101 contracts which had not been seen within RS Dallas for 11 years!
“Staff Sgt. Simms embodies what we need from all our recruiters. He came out on this duty and put in the work for the entire three years. He did not drop his pack and continued to help his team even up to the last week before his departure.”, said Sergeant Major Don J. Hernandez, Sergeant Major of Recruiting Station Dallas. Sergeant Maj. Hernandez gets a first-hand look at the recruiters coming through the RS and knows better than anyone who shines above the rest.
U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Warren C. Cook Jr, Commanding Officer of the 8th Marine Corps District, saw fit to personally award the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal on Sept. 30, 2022, for his valiant efforts. The RS Dallas staff also accompanied the small ceremony. This level of praise is always a perfect showcase to many other recruiters looking to succeed within their stations and grow as leaders.
The recruiting world is excited that another centurion was made and is eager to see what RS will produce another exemplary Marine next. Simms will continue his journey in the 3d Supply Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group.
While returning to his roots in aviation, the fruits of his labor will show as the 101 individuals he impacted change the future of the Marine Corps in the many years to come.