From major cities to small farms, young people are answering their nation’s call and challenging themselves to prove they have what it takes for a United States Marine. Recent increases in Marine Corps recruitment have led to an increase in “walk-in”Office traffic as well online inquiries for information about Marine Corps opportunities and an increased interest in their officer programmes.
This increase was in response to a 2007 President-approved suggestion by the Secretary of Defense to permanently increase the U.S. Marine Corps’ end strength from 175,000 to 202,000 over five years. This goal is expected to be achieved by the Corps in fiscal 2009, which is two years earlier than planned. This is due to a combination of high recruitment efforts, high retention, re-enlistment, and low attrition among the first-term enlistments.
What does it take to be a Marine? It is only the beginning of answering the call. Respondents must show their worth in the toughest 12 weeks of one’s life. Marine Corps recruit training is a process of unwavering, relentless, and uncompromising transformation. All recruits are instilled with the core values honor, courage, and commitment. It’s a great test of mind and character.
“There is only one reason to put yourself through the toughest 12 weeks of your life — and that is to become a United States Marine,”Lieutenant Corporal Oscar Franquez, Jr., Canyon Country, Calif., is one of three Marines featured as part of an advertisement for recent recruiting efforts. “Becoming a Marine has allowed me to defend my country and become part of a centuries old tradition of service and sacrifice.”
The brightest and most talented of every generation respond to the call to join the Marine Corps. This has been true since 1775 when the Second Continental Congress asked for the creation of the first Marine battalions. The Marine Corps has been taking young Americans to the Marine Corps, and training them through the time-tested process of recruit training.
“By earning the title, Marines take their place in a 233-year old brotherhood of smart, tough, elite warriors who are ready to win our nation’s battles and serve their communities as quality citizens,”Major General Robert E. Milstead, Jr., Commanding Gen, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
America’s Few is a new commercial campaign that was launched by the Marine Corps on September 19, and features the Corps’ rigorous training process. America’s Few shows young people what it takes to be a Marine and become part of the impenetrable lineage of warriors that stretches back 233 years. Marines.com has the ads.
