thedrifter
08-03-07, 07:14 AM
As Marine Corps Recruiting Command attempts to increase the recruiting force by 600 Marines, the command's Headquarters Recruiter Screening Team visited Okinawa July 23-26 to interview potential recruiters.
Screeners from the team, which visits major Marine Corps installations twice a year to find qualified Marines for recruiting duty, conducted briefs at Marine installations across Okinawa and interviewed 489 noncommissioned officers and staff NCOs during the visit. The interview is the first step for Marines wanting to become recruiters.
The need for more recruiters grew substantially earlier this year when President George W. Bush approved a Marine Corps end strength increase of 27,000 over the next five years. The Corps immediately bolstered recruiting and retention efforts to grow the force. Marine manpower officials plan to add 5,000 more Marines per year from 2008 to 2012.
"We are locating mentally and physically capable Marines who can go out and find people to be molded into Marines," said Gunnery Sgt. Bennard J. Miller, a screener with the team. "We give Marines an understanding of the benefits of being here, and we let them realize the career potential they have as a recruiter."
All noncommissioned officers and staff NCOs up to master sergeant, who haven't completed a special duty assignment, are eligible for recruiting duty.
Staff Sgt. Jack M. Carrillo, the graphics chief at the Combat Camera Center on Camp Foster, was one of three Marines from Combat Camera Center screened and accepted for recruiting duty.
"Recruiting duty is very important and a big emphasis is being put on this special duty assignment right now," Carrillo said. "It's a challenging time to be a recruiter, but it's something all Marines should do to give back to the Corps."
The Corps is on pace to exceed its fiscal 2007 goal of having a total recruiter force of 3,365, according to Master Sgt. David P. Cummiskey, the senior career retention specialist for Marine Corps Bases Japan. He said the total number of Marine recruiters is projected to be 3,743 by Oct. 1.
Cummiskey pointed out that the increased recruiting goals will not affect the standards expected from recruiters or recruits.
"We have to find the above average Marine to be a recruiter," Cummiskey said. "They are the only representatives to small-town USA, so they have to be the best to recruit the brightest of American youth."
Cummiskey added that Marine Corps Recruiting Command has successfully responded to the increased recruiting and retention goals and is currently on track to meet them.
Screeners from the team, which visits major Marine Corps installations twice a year to find qualified Marines for recruiting duty, conducted briefs at Marine installations across Okinawa and interviewed 489 noncommissioned officers and staff NCOs during the visit. The interview is the first step for Marines wanting to become recruiters.
The need for more recruiters grew substantially earlier this year when President George W. Bush approved a Marine Corps end strength increase of 27,000 over the next five years. The Corps immediately bolstered recruiting and retention efforts to grow the force. Marine manpower officials plan to add 5,000 more Marines per year from 2008 to 2012.
"We are locating mentally and physically capable Marines who can go out and find people to be molded into Marines," said Gunnery Sgt. Bennard J. Miller, a screener with the team. "We give Marines an understanding of the benefits of being here, and we let them realize the career potential they have as a recruiter."
All noncommissioned officers and staff NCOs up to master sergeant, who haven't completed a special duty assignment, are eligible for recruiting duty.
Staff Sgt. Jack M. Carrillo, the graphics chief at the Combat Camera Center on Camp Foster, was one of three Marines from Combat Camera Center screened and accepted for recruiting duty.
"Recruiting duty is very important and a big emphasis is being put on this special duty assignment right now," Carrillo said. "It's a challenging time to be a recruiter, but it's something all Marines should do to give back to the Corps."
The Corps is on pace to exceed its fiscal 2007 goal of having a total recruiter force of 3,365, according to Master Sgt. David P. Cummiskey, the senior career retention specialist for Marine Corps Bases Japan. He said the total number of Marine recruiters is projected to be 3,743 by Oct. 1.
Cummiskey pointed out that the increased recruiting goals will not affect the standards expected from recruiters or recruits.
"We have to find the above average Marine to be a recruiter," Cummiskey said. "They are the only representatives to small-town USA, so they have to be the best to recruit the brightest of American youth."
Cummiskey added that Marine Corps Recruiting Command has successfully responded to the increased recruiting and retention goals and is currently on track to meet them.