He’s not God, but he is a Marine who’s looking for you

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Wright | Sgt. Michael Godjikian stands with Pvt. Pavlo Sinkevych at a recruiting table setup during a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps drill competition at Quincy High School, Quincy, Massachusetts, Dec. 20. Sinkevych was Godjikian’s first enlistment contract written as a recruiter. During Godjikian’s short time as a recruiter, he has already set himself apart from his peers by being a standout Marine ambassador in his schools and community. Godjikian has won recruiter of the month, recruiter of the quarter and is currently nominated for recruiter of the year. Godjikian is a recruiter for Recruiting Substation North Boston.  

QUINCY, MA, UNITED STATES

01.21.2015

Story by Sgt. Jonathan Wright 

1st Marine Corps District

QUINCY, Mass. - “Gudjeekyin… Godjyck… how did he pronounce it,” wondered the mother. “Ah, whatever, Son,” she shouted. “God’s on the phone for you, and he wants to make you a Marine.”

Marines on recruiting duty are tasked with finding the most-qualified individuals to make into Marines while also fighting to break the misconception of what the Marine Corps represents and offers to young men and women. Success in these goals is oftentimes difficult, but if you’re “God”…

Or rather Sgt. Michael Godjikian, a recruiter for Recruiting Substation North Boston. Godjikian has been “on the bag” for a year and a half, and in that short time has made a name for himself at Recruiting Station Portsmouth.

“I’ve made recruiter of the month, recruiter of the quarter and I’m up for recruiter of the year,” said Godjikian. “But success doesn’t come from seeking out awards and recognition. It’s by doing right by your prospects, your station and your higher headquarters. The recognition will come as a result for hard, honest work.”

Growing up in Billerica, Massachusetts, Godjikian has the advantage of operating around his hometown, writing 37 contracts to date with 96% of nearly every person he sends to boot camp being fully qualified for recruit training with no moral or physical issues.

Ultimately, hard work and persistence pays off, which is exemplified by Godjikian’s first contract, who returned to RSS N. Boston on permissive temporary additional duty orders as a recruiter’s assistant.

“Sgt. Godjikian isn’t the type to look for easily-recruitable applicants,” said Pvt. Pavlo Sinkevych. “I had dropped out of high school and needed my GED and 15 college credits to be able to enlist (Godjikian) helped me to overcome those hurdles and the additional ones for me being a native of the Ukraine. But he stuck with me and got me where I am today, a Marine.”

Whether in the highs or lows of recruiting, Godjikian has persevered. His hard work pays off and lauds him in due turn, such as the RS’s “Heavy Hitter Award,” for writing five contracts for the month of August. Even with all that, he has a year and a half left to continue excelling.

“Sgt. Godjikian has been the go-to Marine out here,” said Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Mallak, the staff noncommissioned officer for RSS N. Boston. “Anytime the RS needed a backup shipper he was the Marine that would deliver. He is very professional and very dedicated to work ethics. He has had a huge impact in his sector and our community, and one educator called and told me that in the last 20 years of working with the military at school, that Godjikian has been the best and most professional ambassador for the Marines.”

RS Portsmouth serves all of Maine, New Hampshire and the eastern half of Massachusetts and is part of the 1st Marine Corps Recruiting District.

• Date Taken: 01.21.2015
• Date Posted: 01.23.2015 08:16
• Story ID: 152540
• Location: QUINCY, MA, US