U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. James A. Ryans II, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, gathered with nine Marine Corps officer selection officers serving on recruiting duty in the WRR to recognize them for outstanding accomplishments at MCRD San Diego, Calif., Aug. 1, 2024.
The nine company grade officers from across the WRR were each recognized for outstanding performance in recruiting capable men and women with diverse ethnicities and often specialty jobs such a Marine Staff Judge Advocate who will serve as a lawyer in the Marine Corps. Each awardee specifically excelled from March 1 to June 30 of this year, which was dubbed “Operation Overlord” to foster competition amongst the recruiting force to increase productivity, build the pool, and create contracting momentum for the next fiscal year.
“I’m very excited to be recognized,” U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Grayson Wright, an officer selection officer who was recognized for his performance at Recruiting Station Orange County said. “It is awesome to see other officer selection officers succeed and celebrate with them.”
Wright, who has been on recruiting for about a year, spoke about recruiting being a rewarding job for him.
“There are five officers I recruited who are graduating from Officer Candidate School this week,” Wright said. “Seeing their success reminds me I can trust them to be a good second lieutenant.”
Top leaders who took part in offering accolades to the awardees were: U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. William J. Bowers, commanding general Marine Corps Recruiting Command, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allen G. Goodyear, sergeant major of MCRC, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos R. Aguilera, sergeant major Headquarters and Service Battalion MCRD San Diego. Ryans hosted a reception for the awardees after the ceremony.
“You present a vision in what someone can become,” Ryans shared when addressing the awardees. “You affect the future of the Marine Corps”
People unfamiliar with the military and specifically the Marine Corps often have misconceptions about military service.
“I am on [college] campuses a lot and talk to as many people as I can,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Austin Faunce, officer selection officer who was recognized for his performance at RS Los Angeles. “I clear up a lot of misconceptions people have about the Marines and share a lot of the opportunities the Marine Corps has to offer.”
Faunce volunteered for recruiting duty and has been doing it for approximately two years.
“It is very rewarding to mentor and guide individuals who will take our place someday,” Faunce said. “New officers are on a good trajectory to be successful.”
While the ceremony recognized Marines who are currently serving, there will always be a need for capable and enthusiastic men and women to become America’s newest Marines.
“It is important to recognize Marines who made a significant difference in a ceremony like this after the commanding general or commanding officer reinforces a challenge to recruiters and gives them something to strive for,” U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allen B. Goodyear, sergeant major of MCRC, said.
Additional Marines recognized in the ceremony were: Capt. Abigail Wall, RS Fort Worth, Texas, Capt. Daniel Juarez, RS Phoenix, Capt. Mark Chase, RS San Diego, Capt. James Winnefeld, RS Seattle, Capt. Robert Posadas, RS Oklahoma City, Capt. Jalissa Harkins, RS Denver, and Capt. Jacob Matney, RS Indianapolis.
In addition to attending the commanding general’s reception, awardees will top off their week by attending the morning colors ceremony and recruit training graduation for Marines of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Aug. 2, 2024.
For more information on becoming a Marine Corps officer visit marines.com or contact your local recruiter (https://rmi.marines.com/request-information).
Date Taken: | 08.01.2024 |
Date Posted: | 09.06.2024 15:28 |
Story ID: | 478004 |
Location: | MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 203 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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