MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) named its 2003 Staff Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge (SNCOIC) of the Year during a ceremony held here December 2. This year's SNCOIC of the Year is Gunnery Sergeant Kent Cartmill, from Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Reno, Nev.
Cartmill was one of six SNCOICs, one from each of the six Marine Corps Recruiting Districts, who were nominated as finalists for the Marine Corps SNCOIC of the Year. These nominees represent the successful work done by the entire Marine Corps recruiting force.
"As the SNCOIC of RSS Reno, Gunnery Sergeant Cartmill turned a poorly performing recruiting station into a major success story," said Brigadier General John M. Paxton Jr., Commanding General, Western Recruiting Region. "Volume, quality, morale and performance in all areas of recruiting skyrocketed under his tenure."
For their superior performances, the six nominated SNCOICs were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. In addition, the Marines were all presented with plaques and awards from the event sponsors: The Fleet Reserve Association; First Command; and the United States Automobile Association. In recognition of being selected the 2003 SNCOIC of the Year, First Command presented a bronze bust of famous Marine Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller to Cartmill.
"It is a big honor, but more so because my team got me here," said Cartmill. "To do what we did at RSS Reno took a lot of determination, dedication and a good work ethic from everyone there."
Cartmill took charge of one of the lowest performing RSSs within Recruiting Station (RS) Sacramento and turned it around to become a leading RSS within not just the RS, but also one of the top performers in the entire 12th Marine Corps District. Cartmill's recruiters set the standard for their peers, exceeding their annual mission with a 105 percent attainment of recruits shipped to recruit training. An achievement which included 98.5 percent high school graduates.
"I tell people it's not an accident that you see the very best the Marine Corps has to offer on the streets of America serving as recruiters," said Major General Christopher Cortez, Commanding General, MCRC. "This organization [MCRC] is moving forward; it's strong and led by the Staff Noncommissioned Officers such as those honored here today."
The other nominees were: Staff Sergeant Anthony M. Lanza, RSS Worcester, Mass.; Gunnery Sergeant Gary L. Lomelino Jr., RSS Salisbury, Md.; Master Sergeant Alberto E. Gomez, RSS Hialeah, Fla.; Gunnery Sergeant Michael L. McClaughry, RSS Paradise Valley, Ariz.; and Staff Sergeant Jeffery W. Davidson, RSS Olathe, Kan.
"These are the Marines that fine-tune, motivate, support and work with our young recruiters every day to ensure our success," said Cortez.
On November 30, 2003, the Marine Corps achieved 100 consecutive months of making mission. The Marine Corps has met its monthly contracting goal every month since July 1995.