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QUANTICO, Va. – Marine recruiters across the nation successfully met assigned accession missions for fiscal year 2014 while maintaining high quality standards and overcoming daily challenges to build and maintain strong relationships within communities that have little knowledge of Marine Corps values and leadership opportunities.
“Recruiting has been and will continue to be the lifeblood of the United States Marine Corps, regardless of end-strength,” said Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, Commanding General, MCRC.
Through concerted efforts to attract and mentor the most talented individuals from all backgrounds and cultures, MCRC commissioned 1,360 officers and enlisted 26,017 active and 5,493 reserve Marines, who bring the valuable skill sets necessary to face the operational challenges of the future. In addition, MCRC returned 2,840 prior-service Marines to duty in the reserve component.
The Marine Corps accession process is designed to provide an officer corps infused with core values that closely resembles the nation’s diverse nature and deliver Marines the highest quality of leadership.
“Diversity is not only a reflection of the American society we represent, it is also a key element to maintaining the strength and flexibility required to meet today’s national security challenges. Each individual brings to our team a set of qualities that adds to our overall effectiveness,” said Brilakis.
The young men and women applying to Officer Candidates’ School must meet high standards in order to be considered, ensuring only the best will lead America’s Marines.
“The quality of candidates is as high as it has ever been,” said Maj. Matthew Kessler, Head of Officer Programs, MCRC. “The average physical fitness test is above 280 and the average Scholastic Aptitude Test score is almost 1,200.”
Physical and mental attributes will only get applicants so far in the application process to become a Marine Officer.
“All of the candidates we select are either leaders on their campus or leaders in their community and have proven themselves worthy of the opportunity to go to OCS and earn a commission as a Marine officer,” said Kessler.
As MCRC prepares to enter FY15, recruiters and officer selection officers (OSO) will be challenged to evaluate each applicant from a whole-person perspective and seek only the motivated and dedicated individuals who are mentally, morally and physically qualified to be transformed into Marines.
A challenge OSOs can expect is to provide more applicants the opportunity to become a Marine officer, while still maintaining high standards.
“We are taking more,” said Kessler “The active accession mission is increasing from 1,360 in FY14 to 1,500 in FY15. This allows us to meet some of the demand we have seen over the years, but could not complete because of the draw down.”
Building on the progress of this past fiscal year, MCRC will continue its unwavering effort to build a Corps representative of the country it defends. Those interested in becoming a Marine officer should contact their local officer selection officer, visit www.MarineOfficer.com or call 1-800-MARINES.
| Date Taken: | 11.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2014 16:18 |
| Story ID: | 147776 |
| Location: | QUANTICO, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 133 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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