MARINE CORPS RECRUITING STATION NEW YORK -- The leaders of Recruiting Station New York recently trekked through the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pa., to learn why their commander named a two-month recruiting offensive “Operation Fix Bayonet.”The operation was designed to increase production during the historically “difficult” months of March and April. Major J.J. Dill, commanding officer of RS New York, named the operation after a historic moment during the Civil War.On July 2, 1863, the fate of the Union Army and the existence of the United States was placed in the hands of a schoolteacher turned colonel on a hill called Little Round Top. Col. Joshua Chamberlain and his 20th Maine Regiment were the extreme left flank of the Union Army. If they failed to hold their position, the entire Union line would have collapsed. The ensuing battle raged on for a number of hours and then the men of the 20th Maine ran out of ammunition. With the rebel units from Alabama and Texas preparing another assault, Col. Chamberlain ordered his regiment to fix bayonets and prepare to charge the attacking forces. His decision, and the heroic actions of his Regiment who carried out the order, drove the attacking forces back and saved the line from collapsing. “In the current recruiting environment, our staff noncommissioned officers-in-charge are facing an extremely challenging market and their actions on a daily basis are no less important to the survival of RS New York and the 1st Marine Corps District than Col. Chamberlain and his [men] were to the Union Army,” Dill said. “The SNCOICs must make bold and aggressive decisions and their Marines must charge forward with all their heart and soul if we are to ‘hold the line’ and emerge victorious in the recruiting war.” At Gettysburg, they spent the day examining, studying and retracing the steps of soldiers who took part in one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles 142 years ago. The Marines visited 11 sites on the battlefield and at each site Dill elaborated on the battles’ key leaders, goals, and circumstances. After Dill gave the history if each portion, he led discussions with SNCOICs asking what they would do differently and how they can apply those lessons learned to achieving success today in recruiting. According to Staff Sgt. Trenton Sweeney, SNCOIC, Recruiting Sub-Station Staten Island, he learned a lot about the art of leadership under extreme circumstances. “The thought process highlighted on how those in the past had the same job as we do as SNCOIC’s of RSS’s; to lead, motivate and inspire even in the face of insurmountable odds,” Sweeney said. “Although everything is going as planned, you must always be prepared for changes, either in circumstances or in leaders, and quickly adapt to them. You must also take the thoughts and opinions of your fellow leaders and subordinates into consideration before enacting a plan that may have devastating consequences in the future.”After various battle studies, a greater appreciation for what Fix Bayonet was reached. Awards were then presented to the top RSSs and recruiter. To finish the day, Jim “Seamus” Garrahy, a former Marine who resides in Gettysburg, hosted a steak and beers dinner and allowed the Marines to camp on his property. Also, retired Sgt. Maj. Russ Rockwell, gave a class on many of the weapons issued and used by the Marine Corps. Afterwards as the Marines sat around a campfire, Linda Bell, Garrahy’s wife, played taps. The unique trip for a recruiting station rejuvenated the Marines who normally have conferences in Atlantic City, N.J. “We learned about those who came before us, in a unique setting that I have never been a part of,” Sweeney said. “The sounding of taps as the fire crackled in the background brought forth a surreal experience of what it must have been like more than 142 years ago on those hallowed grounds. It brought forth the camaraderie and spirit that so many of us joined the Marine Corps for. “This type of event should be done again, Sweeney said. “First, to get a break in the sometimes monotonous and often intense field of recruiting. Second, to reflect on those warriors who came before us and proudly shaped this nation into what it is today. Third, to be able to parallel what has happened in the past, both the success and the mistakes and to mold it into what we need to accomplish.”All SNCOICs agreed that it was a much-needed event to bring them together as a team. “Whenever we get together, it’s always business; this showed a different side. I feel that communications between the RSSs will be better, which in return, will allow us to overcome obstacles and succeed as a team.”