Marines partner with National Society of Black Engineers for 45th Annual Convention

Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Story by Lance Cpl. Mitchell Collyer

Date: 03.30.2019
Posted: 03.30.2019 18:27
News ID: 316306
Marines showcase explosive ordnance disposal robots during National Society of Black Engineers festival

DETROIT — U.S. Marines partnered with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) during the NSBE 45th Annual Convention at the Cobo Center, March 27-30, 2019.
The partnership between the Marine Corps and NSBE enables Marines to increase awareness about career opportunities while positively affecting the science, technology, engineering and mathematics community.
“I believe the Marine Corps brings the same type of skills that NSBE is also looking for,” said Capt. James Butters, an officer selection officer for Officer Selection Station Ann Arbor. “We have a joint partner in this fight to recruit and retain the best talent possible.”
NSBE is a 44-year-old nonprofit association dedicated to the academic and professional success of black engineering and technical students and professionals. NSBE is one of the largest student-run collegiate societies, comprised of 629 chapters worldwide.
“The Marine Corps being here helps college students by recruiting them and giving them a career,” said Adrian Smith, an electrical engineer for ASML, a semiconductor company also presenting at the career fair.
During the career fair, Marine recruiters and officer selection officers held a booth while engaging one on one with qualified prospects and conducting interviews on site.
“What the Marine Corps is doing here is bringing awareness to NSBE,” said SSgt James Patterson, an officer selection assistant from Recruiting Station Albuquerque. “We are helping them understand that the Marine Corps is more than just infantry and we need those critical thinkers.”
The Marine booth had engineering equipment from Explosive Ordnance Disposal and an interactive flight simulator for students.
For more information about becoming a Marine, visit Marines.com.