MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.-- Working approximately 40 to 50 hours a week, prior service recruiters work to find Marines no longer on active duty to rejoin the Marine Corps.
Prior service recruiters are charged with finding experienced Marines and exposing them once more to opportunities in the Marine Corps. To do so, they screen highly-qualified prior service Marines currently serving in the Individual Ready Reserve or the Selected Marine Corps Reserve, Active Reserve and Individual Augmentee programs.
These recruiters utilize the elements of systematic recruiting: organization, standardization, management, training and action, to be successful.
Their mission is accomplished by canvassing their local communities, participating in networking events or through digital communication, such as contacting Marines via social media or emailing them information related to available programs.
“Really, my most effective way to recruit has been through text messages,” said Gunnery Sgt. John Johnson, a PSR who works at Prior Service Recruiting Substation North Versailles, Philadelphia. “Most Marines under the age of 30 don't respond to a phone call or voicemail right away, but if I send a text, I’ll get an answer back in minutes.”
One opportunity often attractive to prior service Marines is the Active Reserve program. In the AR, Marines earn many similar benefits to those they may have enjoyed on active duty.
One of the heftiest responsibilities of PSRs is to support the Marine Corps Reserves. To accomplish this, the Reserve conducts IRR accountability gatherings or musters.
“During these musters, Marine Forces Reserve gives briefs, updates medical records and lets Marines know of opportunities available to them,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Juan Hernandez, a prior service recruiting national trainer for Marine Corps Recruiting Command. “We show up to these events and do what you call area canvassing.”
Area canvassing is a technique that usually entails engaging potential prospects in purposeful conversations designed to uncover needs with which the recruiter may be able to align the features and benefits of a particular opportunity in the Corps. While area canvassing, PSRs exchange contact information and communicate as much information as possible with the Marines they encounter. By initiating direct contact with Marines, PSRs are able to efficiently communicate with prospects and better their chances of making mission.
Marines are identified by Headquarters Marine Corps Manpower and screened for duty as prior service recruiters in much the same way as they are screened for other special duty assignments. Marines interested in volunteering for the duty should contact their unit career planners.