MARINE CORPS RECRUITING STATION SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Recruiting Station Springfield began a winter offensive with a slam dunk at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Jan. 29. The offensive, which is appropriately named "Operation Slam Dunk," is designed to maintain contracting and shipping momentum during challenging months of recruiting.
The months February through May are traditionally difficult recruiting months because high school seniors are still in school and many graduates are in college.
"The primary goal of this operation is to spur our shipping and contracting efforts for the next four months in order to ensure that we make our assigned contracting, shipping and quality missions," said Maj. Alan D. Thoburn, RS Springfield commanding officer. "Additionally, the operations will focus our efforts on lowering our Delayed Entry Program and Marine Corps Recruit Depot attrition."
The Basketball Hall of Fame provided the perfect atmosphere to begin the competition. Every wall is covered with players that spent their entire career trying to master the game and perfect their craft. The enthusiasm of the "hall of famers" is not that much different from Springfield recruiters who often work long hours trying to perfect recruiting and masters the mission.
"Having our all-hands at the Basketball Hall of Fame served a twofold purpose," said Capt. Matthew Fehmel, RS Springfield executive officer. "First, it allowed the recruiters to have fun and experience part of the local culture in their recruiting area of operations and second, it kicked off this year's winter offensive."
The official Marine Basket Ball league or MBA began on February 1, and will be complete on May 28. The object is to score as many points as possible during the game. Recruiters are able to score points based on contracts, shipping, and quality of applicants.
"The success of this operation depends on how well it is communicated to the field," said Thoburn. "Every recruiter, noncommissioned officer-in-charge and command group member must stay engaged in the recruiting effort.
"We must ensure measures are in place to maximize the exploitation of the appropriate markets and focus our recruiting efforts on quality results. We must ensure proper measures are in place to effectively support the recruiting effort during this operation."
After Thoburn explained the rules of the competition and publicly set forth his goals, the recruiters were allowed to tour the Basketball Hall of Fame. The tour lasted roughly an hour before the recruiters were invited back to the headquarters building for lunch. The meal was well deserved by all recruiters whom during January were able to contract 105 new recruits into the Corps.
Most Marines are excited about the new MBA season, but few are guessing who will win. "I don't have any predictions, I just hope the offensive sparks some competitive spirit and, in turn, helps the RS mission attainment," said Fehmel.
With nearly four months left it is anyone's game, but one thing is certain, RS Springfield Marines play to win!