Stories

Maj. Gen. Paul Kennedy, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, addresses the crowd at the Community Leaders Reception in Detroit, Sept. 5, 2017. Marines with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command arrived in Detroit Sept. 4, 2017, to begin a series of outreach events, beginning what will become an enduring city partnership. MCRC City Partnerships seek to align the Marine Corps with cities that share the essence of Marines - an irreducible fighting spirit. Scheduled events included High School visits supported by the Silent Drill Platoon, a Community Leaders Reception, a photography competition showcasing Detroit's fighting spirit, youth basketball and wrestling clinics, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a cooking competition featuring an Expeditionary Field Kitchen, and more. MCRC leveraged existing partnerships with USA Wrestling, Women's Basketball Coaches Association and local contacts in the city to create events in celebration of the emerging partnership. Other City Partnerships in development include Baltimore, New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, and Oakland, California. - Maj. Gen. Paul Kennedy, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, addresses the crowd at the Community Leaders Reception in Detroit, Sept. 5, 2017. Marines with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command arrived in Detroit Sept. 4, 2017, to begin a series of outreach events, beginning what will become an enduring city partnership. MCRC City Partnerships seek to align the Marine Corps with cities that share the essence of Marines - an irreducible fighting spirit. Scheduled events included High School visits supported by the Silent Drill Platoon, a Community Leaders Reception, a photography competition showcasing Detroit's fighting spirit, youth basketball and wrestling clinics, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a cooking competition featuring an Expeditionary Field Kitchen, and more. MCRC leveraged existing partnerships with USA Wrestling, Women's Basketball Coaches Association and local contacts in the city to create events in celebration of the emerging partnership. Other City Partnerships in development include Baltimore, New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, and Oakland, California.

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,” Fred DeVito. Private Brian J. Rodriguez-Martinez of Recruiting Sub Station Bakersfield East, Recruiting Station Los Angeles, and graduate of East Bakersfield High School challenged himself to losing more than 70 pounds and earning the title of United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released) - “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you,” Fred DeVito. Private Brian J. Rodriguez-Martinez of Recruiting Sub Station Bakersfield East, Recruiting Station Los Angeles, and graduate of East Bakersfield High School challenged himself to losing more than 70 pounds and earning the title of United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released)

Major Ruth Kehoe, commanding officer of Recruiting Station Dallas, and Captain Samuel Wetselaar, operations officer, pose with LaDainian Tomlinson following his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame August 5, 2017, in Canton, Ohio. In collaboration with Marine Corps Recruiting Command, 8th Marine Corps District is partnering with LaDainian Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation as part of the growing City Partnership Program between the district and the city of Dallas. The Foundation enhances the lives of deserving families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by promoting educational, social and cultural awareness. (Courtesy Photo) - Major Ruth Kehoe, commanding officer of Recruiting Station Dallas, and Captain Samuel Wetselaar, operations officer, pose with LaDainian Tomlinson following his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame August 5, 2017, in Canton, Ohio. In collaboration with Marine Corps Recruiting Command, 8th Marine Corps District is partnering with LaDainian Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation as part of the growing City Partnership Program between the district and the city of Dallas. The Foundation enhances the lives of deserving families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by promoting educational, social and cultural awareness. (Courtesy Photo)

Staff Sgt. Alaine Sueme, a recruiter working out of Marine Corps Recruiting Substation Saratoga Springs, quickly responded to a car accident in Saratoga Springs, New York, August 3, 2017. Sueme was performing daily duties as a canvassing recruiter when she witnessed a car crash head-on into another car. Without hesitation, she rushed to assist and give aid to the victims of the crash - Staff Sgt. Alaine Sueme, a recruiter working out of Marine Corps Recruiting Substation Saratoga Springs, quickly responded to a car accident in Saratoga Springs, New York, August 3, 2017. Sueme was performing daily duties as a canvassing recruiter when she witnessed a car crash head-on into another car. Without hesitation, she rushed to assist and give aid to the victims of the crash.

Master Sgt. Damian Cason, Dr. Eve Hall, Maj. Nicole Bastian and Venton Blandin (pictured left to right) pose for a photo at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala in St. Louis, Mo., on July 28, 2017. The theme of this year’s National Urban League National Conference was “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs and Justice.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennifer Webster/Released) - Captain Charlyne Delus, a Marine Corps officer from Miami, Fl., shakes hands with Mark H. Morial, the National Urban League president and chief executive officer, at the Chairman’s Leadership Reception at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., on July 27, 2016. The theme of this year’s National Urban League National Conference was “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs and Justice.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennifer Webster/Released)

Seth Bolden (left) and Nicholas Dinofrio pose for a photo during the Field Leadership Exercise during the 2017 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., July 20. The puprpose of this exercise is to return high-caliber individuals back to their schools and communities with greater knowledge of the Marines, sense of purpose and the ability for them to serve as advocates for the Corps due to their first-hand experiences with Marines. - Seth Bolden (left) and Nicholas Dinofrio pose for a photo during the Field Leadership Exercise during the 2017 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., July 20. The puprpose of this exercise is to return high-caliber individuals back to their schools and communities with greater knowledge of the Marines, sense of purpose and the ability for them to serve as advocates for the Corps due to their first-hand experiences with Marines.

Gen. Glenn M. Walters, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps talks with Bailey Bish, a Semper Fidelis All-American, during the closing ceremonies of the Battles Won Academy in Washington D.C., July 16, 2017. The Battles Won Academy is a part of the Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis All-American Program, which recognizes young men and women who excel in athletics, but have also shown themselves to be leaders in the classroom and in their hometowns. Ninety-seven high school student-athletes attended the academy, which focused on developing their self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, and honing the fighting spirit that embodies the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryan Nygaard/Released) - Gen. Glenn M. Walters, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps talks with Bailey Bish, a Semper Fidelis All-American, during the closing ceremonies of the Battles Won Academy in Washington D.C., July 16, 2017. The Battles Won Academy is a part of the Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis All-American Program, which recognizes young men and women who excel in athletics, but have also shown themselves to be leaders in the classroom and in their hometowns. Ninety-seven high school student-athletes attended the academy, which focused on developing their self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, and honing the fighting spirit that embodies the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryan Nygaard/Released)

vt. Mohammad Nadir holds a challenge coin given to him by Marine Corps Gen. William Jurney, commanding general for Western Recruiting Region, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, June 1, 2017. Nadir graduated from recruit training on May 26, 2017, and will train to become an infantryman. Nadir moved to the United States in 2014 with a Special Immigrant Visa after working for three years as an interpreter with the International Security Assistance Force in the Sangin District of Helmand province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada) - vt. Mohammad Nadir holds a challenge coin given to him by Marine Corps Gen. William Jurney, commanding general for Western Recruiting Region, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, June 1, 2017. Nadir graduated from recruit training on May 26, 2017, and will train to become an infantryman. Nadir moved to the United States in 2014 with a Special Immigrant Visa after working for three years as an interpreter with the International Security Assistance Force in the Sangin District of Helmand province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Quezada)

Christopher T. Kaag poses for a photo January 2016 at Corps Fitness in Reading, Pa. Kaag is a leader in his community and uses his drive and personal story to help those in the community overcome their own personal challenges. (Photo courtesy of Christopher T. Kaag/Released) - Christopher T. Kaag poses for a photo January 2016 at Corps Fitness in Reading, Pa. Kaag is a leader in his community and uses his drive and personal story to help those in the community overcome their own personal challenges. (Photo courtesy of Christopher T. Kaag/Released)

Chris Escamilla picks up trash with other high school students as part of a community service project at a beach during the 2017 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) aboard Quantico, Va., July 21. The SLCDA is a six-day-long program focused on teaching high school students skills critical to future success, such as honor, courage and commitment. Escamilla travelled approximately 7,000 miles overseas from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, to Quantico to attend the event, and is a student at Zama American High School. - Chris Escamilla picks up trash with other high school students as part of a community service project at a beach during the 2017 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) aboard Quantico, Va., July 21. The SLCDA is a six-day-long program focused on teaching high school students skills critical to future success, such as honor, courage and commitment. Escamilla travelled approximately 7,000 miles overseas from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, to Quantico to attend the event, and is a student at Zama American High School.