Forging Marines: How one Marine helps his recruiters

Photo By Cpl. Terry Haynes | Cpl. Christian Lozano is promoted to his current rank. The red cloth around his neck is called the "blood stripe" and signifies the death of a majority of the non-commissioned and commissioned officers that fell at the battle of Chapultepec in 1847.  

MONTGOMERY, AL, UNITED STATES

04.20.2020

Story by Cpl. Terry Haynes 

6th Marine Corps District

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- General Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “You will not find it difficult to prove that battles, campaigns, and even wars have been won or lost because of logistics.” From Ancient Rome’s domination of the Italian peninsula to the Marine Corps island hopping campaign during World War II, many battles have been decided by getting the right supplies to the right people at the right time.

Marine Corps recruiting is no different. Recruiters rely on their supply sections to procure vehicles needed to reach young men and women in their region. They rely on administrators to route award recommendations that recognize them for finding the next generation of Marines. To Cpl. Christian Lozano, these challenges drive him to a better Marine, co-worker, and citizen. Ultimately, they fulfill him.

“I come into the office every day and try to challenge myself to find ways to make someone’s day easier,” said Lozano, a 21-year-old Miami native. “Day in and day out, my job is assist that recruiter in his job of finding out if that qualified citizen has the potential to be a Marine. If I can help him with his mission while also getting him home on time to his family, I call that a pretty good day.”

In the fleet, supply specialists may be responsible for assisting hundreds or thousands of Marines at the company or battalion level. While on recruiting duty, they typically have between 40 and 70.

“I think that one of the biggest strengths of being on recruiting duty is the intimacy,” Lozano said. “It can sometimes be a burden, driving a few hundred miles to a substation, but working with a more tight-knit group of Marines is definitely one of the key elements of why we all work so well as a team and what makes us special.”

Coming from a family that always put respect, kindness and service above everything else, navigating the sometimes murky waters of the military wasn’t a big acclimation for Lozano.

“When I was growing up, my family always volunteered and helped others in their time of need,” recalls Lozano. “Serving in uniform is another way I can give back to my community and country on a bigger scale. Especially in today’s uncertain times, (we) as Americans need to have each other’s backs now more than ever.”

As the days keep ticking on and he grows older in the Marine Corps, Lozano faces the future with his trademark grin and can-do attitude.

“I sometimes think about all the people and experiences that got me here,” recalls Lozano. “I’m not sure what the future holds for me, but I got great friends, an awesome career, and the best dog waiting on me when I get home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

• Date Taken: 04.20.2020
• Date Posted: 05.05.2020 09:15
• Story ID: 367873
• Location: MONTGOMERY, AL, US