Stories

Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco's father, Kenneth Townes, holds a photo of Falco taken while she was at recruit training in 1987 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Falco served as an enlisted Marine for 14 years before her acceptance to the Meritorious Commissioning Program. She commissioned in August 2001 and will soon retire after 34 fruitful years in the Marine Corps. “I’ve just been privileged to be allowed to be a Marine,” Falco said. “I still love it as much as the day I came in, and I would stay in forever, but I want to make room for others to climb the ladder and at the same time, contribute to society in another capacity.” (Courtesy photo by Falco's mother, Loretta "Tootsie" Townes) - Lt. Col. Sally Ann Falco's father, Kenneth Townes, holds a photo of Falco taken while she was at recruit training in 1987 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Falco served as an enlisted Marine for 14 years before her acceptance to the Meritorious Commissioning Program. She commissioned in August 2001 and will soon retire after 34 fruitful years in the Marine Corps. “I’ve just been privileged to be allowed to be a Marine,” Falco said. “I still love it as much as the day I came in, and I would stay in forever, but I want to make room for others to climb the ladder and at the same time, contribute to society in another capacity.” (Courtesy photo by Falco's mother, Loretta "Tootsie" Townes)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jason Oliver, a recruiter with Recruiting Station Frederick and 4th Marine Corps District recruiter of the quarter, completes a hike during a monthly pool function for Recruiting Substation Martinsburg in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, March 16, 2021. The monthly pool functions are preformed to both build rapport between poolees and recruiters and to prepare them mentally and physically for the rigors of Marine Corps recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan Sammet) - U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jason Oliver, a recruiter with Recruiting Station Frederick and 4th Marine Corps District recruiter of the quarter, completes a hike during a monthly pool function for Recruiting Substation Martinsburg in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, March 16, 2021. The monthly pool functions are preformed to both build rapport between poolees and recruiters and to prepare them mentally and physically for the rigors of Marine Corps recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ryan Sammet)

Major Gordon Emmanuel, the commanding officer for Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 21, 2021. Maj. Emmanuel discussed his life story and how he got to where he is today as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Major Gordon Emmanuel, the commanding officer for Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 21, 2021. Maj. Emmanuel discussed his life story and how he got to where he is today as a United States Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

Future Marine Christian Ponce, a poolee with Recruiting Sub-Station Santa Ana, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 12, 2021. Ponce received a meritorious promotion to private first class for providing two referrals to his recruiter. Referrals are necessary to identify qualified applicants for potential service in the Marine Corps. As a future Marine, their first mission is to identify potential leads for their Recruiter in order to continue filling the ranks with our Nation's best and brightest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Future Marine Christian Ponce, a poolee with Recruiting Sub-Station Santa Ana, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Santa Ana, California on Feb. 12, 2021. Ponce received a meritorious promotion to private first class for providing two referrals to his recruiter. Referrals are necessary to identify qualified applicants for potential service in the Marine Corps. As a future Marine, their first mission is to identify potential leads for their Recruiter in order to continue filling the ranks with our Nation's best and brightest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

The Marine Corps Recruiting Command National Training Team launched a new website page, “MCRC Connections,” at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Feb. 1, 2021. MCRC Connections was created as an “all in one resource for sharing ideas, asking questions, and helping MCRC develop at the speed of change,” Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Mayfield said in an email to MCRC Headquarters when he announced the page launch. “Included in Connections is the ability to share links to insightful articles, podcasts, and various other useful tools.” - The Marine Corps Recruiting Command National Training Team launched a new website page, “MCRC Connections,” at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Feb. 1, 2021. MCRC Connections was created as an “all in one resource for sharing ideas, asking questions, and helping MCRC develop at the speed of change,” Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Mayfield said in an email to MCRC Headquarters when he announced the page launch. “Included in Connections is the ability to share links to insightful articles, podcasts, and various other useful tools.”

Brennan McLean, a law candidate with Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Irvine, California, on Jan. 13, 2021. McLean is currently in his last year of school before taking the bar examination, and will be attending Officer Candidate School this summer. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Brennan McLean, a law candidate with Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo in Irvine, California, on Jan. 13, 2021. McLean is currently in his last year of school before taking the bar examination, and will be attending Officer Candidate School this summer. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

Jung Hyun Ahn, a poolee with Recruiting Sub-Station Culver City, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo at the Santa Monica Pier, California on Jan. 6, 2020. Ahn was hand selected as Recruiting Station Orange County’s Poolee of the Quarter because although he is not a Marine yet, he embodies the Corps of values; honor, courage, commitment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph) - Jung Hyun Ahn, a poolee with Recruiting Sub-Station Culver City, Recruiting Station Orange County, poses for a photo at the Santa Monica Pier, California on Jan. 6, 2020. Ahn was hand selected as Recruiting Station Orange County’s Poolee of the Quarter because although he is not a Marine yet, he embodies the Corps of values; honor, courage, commitment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Ralph)

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathon Sweet, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Substation Northern Michigan, congratulates a newly enlisted Marine Corps poolee on his enlistment, Nov. 11, 2018. - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathon Sweet, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Substation Northern Michigan, congratulates a newly enlisted Marine Corps poolee on his enlistment, Nov. 11, 2018. (Courtesy Photo)

David (left) and Brianna (right) pose for a photo at their wedding. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo) - David (left) and Brianna (right) pose for a photo at their wedding. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo)