RECRUITING STATION ORANGE, Calif. -- The Marines' newest drill team rolled in and flanked the competitors in a largerthan life display. Two Marine Corps wrapped tractor-trailers commanded the attention and awe of those in attendance.
"These are great -- this is a brand new truck," Sgt. Wesley Michalk, recruiter, Recruiting Substation Redondo Beach, Recruiting Station Orange, said. "This is better than a billboard; these can go everywhere."
The trucks appeared at the West Coast National JROTC Drill Competition in El Segundo, Calif. The meet, hosted by Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, Calif., was held at the Raytheon facility and was attended by teams from 36 California high schools.
This year, in addition to the aircraft and tactical vehicle displays, the Marines had the added benefit of a few good trucks, as the backdrop for their recruiting booth.
Currently there are 50 trucks wrapped with the images of the Marine Corps drill team on one side, the Mamaluke sword on the other, cruising the roadways of Orange and Los Angeles counties in California.
According to Tom Flynn, owner and operator of Y3K Grafix, Inc., GI Trucking of Torrance, Calif., provided two of their 13 wrapped trucks for the event.
The concept for the rolling billboards was born out of an initiative to wrap the tour buses for the performing Marines of Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, D.C.
"This was unique," Flynn said of the concept. "Major Fortunado sold me on it.
Since the birth of the concept, Flynn has devoted most of his efforts to bringing the Corps? vision to fruition."
"It's been pretty consuming," Flynn admits. But he says it's a passion born of his conviction that he's providing a great asset to America's fighting forces. Since the project's inception, he's committed himself to everything from reviewing applications from trucking companies who want to participate, to analyzing the routes traveled to ensure the Corps is getting maximum exposure.
As a member of the American Trucking Association, his experience has provided him the expertise to ensure that the Marine Corps' reputation for quality is evident in the selection of companies to carry their message.
"I'm the one they're depending one to produce and install the wraps, and contract with the trucking companies. I only want the best quality -- any rust on a truck means their application won't be accepted," Flynn explained.
There seems to be no shortage of trucks -- they're lining up to be one of the few and the proud; bearing the Marine Corps' brand.
"It's a win-win situation; they love the exposure," he said of the trucking companies and their drivers. He tells several stories of drivers actually being asked to stop so someone could get a picture with the giant Marine display.
Although he says this project has pretty much consumed his business flow, Flynn says he wouldn't have it any other way. His belief in what he's doing is reaffirmed each time he sees his handiwork driving by.
"It's the right thing to do," Flynn says of his devotion and sacrifice. "My fulfillment comes from them being used. They've been great for the Marines."
With 275 trucks already completed nationwide and 640 more scheduled for completion in May, his goal of 1,000 wrapped trucks cruising across the country is almost a reality.