Battles Won: Marines Make Annual Recruiting Mission

Photo By Lance Cpl. Mitchell Collyer | Claude King, a senior at Hampton University, discuss career opportunities with Gunnery Sgt. Latyra Sayers, a career recruiter with Recruiting Station San Diego, during a National Society of Black Engineers conference career fair in Detroit, Michigan, March 28. NSBE is holding its 45th annual national convention consisting of various programs and workshops that are designed to benefit grade school, collegiate, technical, professional and international attendees and the U.S. Marine Corps is a partner organization. Marines partner with organizations like NSBE to ensure its message of opportunity reaches diverse audiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mitchell Collyer)  

UNITED STATES

09.30.2019

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Justin Kronenberg   

Marine Corps Recruiting Command           

QUANTICO, Virginia – The Marine Corps Recruiting Command achieved its assigned recruiting mission by both component and category for Fiscal Year 2019.

Marine recruiters and officer selection officers accessed 37,259 enlisted men and women, and 1,734 officers as directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Those recruits and candidates exceeded all Department of Defense standards for entry to service.

The Marine Corps demands recruits meet exceedingly rigorous requirements and those accessed in Fiscal Year 2019 were no exception. More than 99% of recruits were high school graduates (DoD standard is 90%) and better than 70% scored in the top three tiers on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (DoD standard is 60%).

The Marine officer candidates accessed between Fiscal Years 2016 and 2019 represent the most diverse group of individuals since the inception of the all-volunteer force. In that four year period, the Marine Corps achieved greater than 30% new officer accessions of a diverse background. In Fiscal Year 2019 specifically, more than 31% of officer accessions were from diverse backgrounds. Equally noteworthy was more than 12% of officer accessions were women – a historic achievement.

These accomplishments are all the more impressive given the myriad challenges Marine recruiters and officer selection officers face, competing for the few highly-qualified individuals who can both meet stringent standards and share the fighting spirit common to all Marines. Marines on recruiting duty work in excess of 60 hours a week to find the next generation of smart, tough, elite warriors, making as many as 10,000 contacts with prospects to deliver 50 Marines to the operational forces in a typical three-year tour.
“I want to join Sgt. Maj. Brown in thanking every Marine, sailor, civilian, and family member in MCRC for their hard work and dedication over the past year,” said Maj. Gen. James W. Bierman, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “During a tough FY19, we worked together to overcome all obstacles, and find young men and women motivated to serve for the best, intangible reasons. These include pride of belonging, meeting a challenge, and service for the sake of service. All of you went out and recruited in your own image – and it shows! Because of your efforts, the Marine Corps will be ready for its next fight. Thank you and Semper Fi.”

• Date Taken: 09.30.2019
• Date Posted: 09.30.2019 14:33
• Story ID: 344713
• Location: US