Stories

This photo illustration poster is designed to inform and grab attention prospective recruiting volunteers. - This photo illustration poster is designed to inform and grab attention prospective recruiting volunteers.

Marine Corps Recruiting Command senior enlisted leaders known as the “Gray Beards” stand with Maj. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm during a two-day symposium, Feb 22-23,2022. MCRC CG met with senior enlisted leaders to discuss the way ahead with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. The group discussed matters pertaining to the future health of the 8412 military occupational specialty (career recruiter), the current state of recruiting duty and the way forward. The meeting of “Gray Beards” is hosted annually in order to ensure the recruiting foundation stays strong by empowering the elder statesmen the opportunity to positively effect change and ensure mission success. After two years of unprecedented times in military recruiting, the group, which included the MCRC, Eastern and Western Recruiting Region Sergeants Major, must collectively discuss ways for the command to evolve.“MCRC is facing what is arguably one of the most challenging times in recruiting since the all-volunteer force,” said Bohm, during his remarks to the group. “FY21 was challenging and it was not all COVID. COVID changed the way we conducted business because we had to work across many different media to reach people. Inflation has caused our spending power to go down and with limited funds, the money doesn’t go very far.” - Marine Corps Recruiting Command senior enlisted leaders known as the “Gray Beards” stand with Maj. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm during a two-day symposium, Feb 22-23,2022. MCRC CG met with senior enlisted leaders to discuss the way ahead with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. The group discussed matters pertaining to the future health of the 8412 military occupational specialty (career recruiter), the current state of recruiting duty and the way forward. The meeting of “Gray Beards” is hosted annually in order to ensure the recruiting foundation stays strong by empowering the elder statesmen the opportunity to positively effect change and ensure mission success. After two years of unprecedented times in military recruiting, the group, which included the MCRC, Eastern and Western Recruiting Region Sergeants Major, must collectively discuss ways for the command to evolve. “MCRC is facing what is arguably one of the most challenging times in recruiting since the all-volunteer force,” said Bohm, during his remarks to the group. “FY21 was challenging and it was not all COVID. COVID changed the way we conducted business because we had to work across many different media to reach people. Inflation has caused our spending power to go down and with limited funds, the money doesn’t go very far.”

Marine Corps Recruiting Command named Recruiting Station Baltimore’s Sgt. Nathaniel Q. Hamilton the MCRC Marketing and Communication Marine of the Year during the annual MAC Summit at Wunderman Thompson, MCRC’s contracted advertising agency, Feb. 9, 2022. (U.S Marine Corps photo edited by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich) - Marine Corps Recruiting Command named Recruiting Station Baltimore’s Sgt. Nathaniel Q. Hamilton the MCRC Marketing and Communication Marine of the Year during the annual MAC Summit at Wunderman Thompson, MCRC’s contracted advertising agency, Feb. 9, 2022. (U.S Marine Corps photo edited by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)

U.S. Marine Corps recruiters monitoring physical training the students conduct. - U.S. Marine Corps recruiters monitoring physical training the students conduct.

This photo illustration poster is designed to inform and grab attention prospective recruiting volunteers. - This photo illustration poster is designed to inform and grab attention prospective recruiting volunteers.

Marine Lance Cpl. Emmily Mateos and Lance Cpl. Madison Smith receive a brief about their responsibilities from Recruiting Substation (RSS) Woodbridge’s staff noncommissioned officer in charge, Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Gwin, at RSS Stafford in Virginia, November 17, 2020. The purpose of the visit was to allow the Marines to experience what a canvassing recruiter does on a daily basis and to show how important recruiters are to the Marine Corps and community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Phuchung Nguyen.) - Marine Lance Cpl. Emmily Mateos and Lance Cpl. Madison Smith receive a brief about their responsibilities from Recruiting Substation (RSS) Woodbridge’s staff noncommissioned officer in charge, Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Gwin, at RSS Stafford in Virginia, November 17, 2020. The purpose of the visit was to allow the Marines to experience what a canvassing recruiter does on a daily basis and to show how important recruiters are to the Marine Corps and community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Phuchung Nguyen.)

While on her way to a training event to prepare future Marines for basic training, Prieto noticed three suspicious individuals attempting to conceal shotguns while crossing onto Hemlock Pass, a highway in Ocala. When Prieto recognized the suspicious activity and called out to question them, they ran. Prieto immediately dropped off her future Marines at a safe location and pursued the suspects on foot for two miles, continuously updating the police by cell phone. - Staff Sgt. Kathy Prieto, a recruiter at Recruiting Substation Ocala, gave the public a glimpse of her warfighting side, when she apprehended three gunmen in Ocala, Nov. 16, 2019.

Bud Hennebaul, the scholastic leadership academy director for the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Col. David Fallon, the commanding officer of 9th Marine Corps District, and Brian Smith, the head wrestling coach for the University of Missouri, speak during a NWCA online webinar held June 10, 2020. The webinar, titled “Marines and Wrestling: Developing the Next Great American Generation,” was part of NWCA’s scholastic wrestling webinar series sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. The series is designed for ongoing coaching development and to inform coaches and influencers of opportunities to involve Marines in their programs. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Naomi May) - Bud Hennebaul, the scholastic leadership academy director for the National Wrestling Coaches Association, Col. David Fallon, the commanding officer of 9th Marine Corps District, and Brian Smith, the head wrestling coach for the University of Missouri, speak during a NWCA online webinar held June 10, 2020. The webinar, titled “Marines and Wrestling: Developing the Next Great American Generation,” was part of NWCA’s scholastic wrestling webinar series sponsored by the United States Marine Corps. The series is designed for ongoing coaching development and to inform coaches and influencers of opportunities to involve Marines in their programs. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Naomi May)

Master Sgt. Michael Taft, a Marine Corps Recruiting Command National Training Team member, interacts with other training team members via the Adobe Connect virtual classroom that the team created at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 2, 2020. The NTT utilized this online program to create the virtual classroom and library in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic so they could continue training Marine Corps recruiting personnel. The team currently consist of five Marines and one civilian: Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Mayfield, the officer in charge of the NTT; Master Gunnery Sgt. Juan Hernandez, a prior service recruiter; Master Sgt. Michael Rudin, Master Sgt. Victor Montanez, and Taft, all training team members; and Matthew "Mark" Manieri, who is the training specialist. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Naomi May) - Master Sgt. Michael Taft, a Marine Corps Recruiting Command National Training Team member, interacts with other training team members via the Adobe Connect virtual classroom that the team created at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 2, 2020. The NTT utilized this online program to create the virtual classroom and library in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic so they could continue training Marine Corps recruiting personnel. The team currently consist of five Marines and one civilian: Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Mayfield, the officer in charge of the NTT; Master Gunnery Sgt. Juan Hernandez, a prior service recruiter; Master Sgt. Michael Rudin, Master Sgt. Victor Montanez, and Taft, all training team members; and Matthew "Mark" Manieri, who is the training specialist. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Naomi May)

Second Lieutenant Michael McHale poses for a photo at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, August 23, 2019. McHale enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2015 before being accepted to the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP). The program is designed to provide the opportunity for Marines who have earned a four-year degree before enlisting in the Marine Corps or during active duty to serve as Marine Corps officers. Marines successfully completing the program receive a commission as a second lieutenant. Upon being accepted into the program, McHale completed Officer Candidates Course and the Basic School. He is now scheduled to attend to Logistics Operations School at Marine Corps Base Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where he will receive the military occupational specialty of basic logistics officer. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic illustration by Cpl. Naomi May) - Second Lieutenant Michael McHale poses for a photo at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, August 23, 2019. McHale enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2015 before being accepted to the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP). The program is designed to provide the opportunity for Marines who have earned a four-year degree before enlisting in the Marine Corps or during active duty to serve as Marine Corps officers. Marines successfully completing the program receive a commission as a second lieutenant. Upon being accepted into the program, McHale completed Officer Candidates Course and the Basic School. He is now scheduled to attend to Logistics Operations School at Marine Corps Base Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where he will receive the military occupational specialty of basic logistics officer. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic illustration by Cpl. Naomi May)