MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. - For Griffin, the real battle wasn’t fought overseas or in a trench; it was the monthly struggle to balance ambition and family; prior service recruiting and twin sons. That delicate balancing act became the foundation of his success and a tool he would take with him for the rest of his career.
Sgt. Joshua Griffin a native of Charlotte N.C. was originally the embarkation chief and training Non-Commissioned Officer for Combat Logistics Battalion - 451. Though, after meeting Gunnery Sgt. Justin Baldwin, a seasoned Prior Service Recruiter stationed in Charlotte, he became inspired by his leadership and professionalism. Griffin made it his mission to one day reach that same level.
Transferring to Prior Service Recruiting Sub-Station (PSRSS) Orlando, Permanent Contact Station (PCS) Jacksonville as a Prior Service Recruiter, Griffin was ready for the challenge. As a limited tour Marine stepping into the world of prior service recruiting, Griffin arrived with everything to prove, but success was not guaranteed. This duty came with high expectations and little margin for error. “It felt like every day I was having to fight for myself, because at any moment they could say ‘hey thank you for your time, we’re going to let you go’," Griffin said. The pressure was constant, and with his twin sons hundreds of miles away in Charlotte, the weight of balancing family responsibilities with a demanding new role only intensified. Griffin spent long hours mastering the intricacies of prior service recruiting. Most days were twelve to fourteen hour days. Settling into a rhythm felt nearly impossible, but Griffin remained dedicated and determined not to let the weight of the job or homesickness pull him off course.
Gunnery Sgt. Baldwin had been the standard Sgt. Griffin aimed to surpass. Their professional relationship evolved into a friendly rivalry, driving Griffin to push himself further. “Anything you can do, I can do better,” Griffin recalled with a chuckle. Baldwin had been awarded Prior Service Recruiter of the Year for the Eastern Recruiting Region in 2022 and Griffin had his eye on the prize. By May of 2024, Griffin had his head down, nose to the grindstone, fully immersed in the demands of his role. The long hours, constant pressure, and personal sacrifices felt like part of the job. But it wasn’t until a phone call from Maj. Patron at the 6th Marine Corps District that the weight of his hard work truly hit him. “After you joined 75 Marines already, you can stop, you don’t need to recruit anymore,” his Maj. Patron told him. In that moment, Griffin realized he had not only met but exceeded expectations. He had made a real impact, and for the first time, he felt fully settled into his role as a recruiter.
The second good-news-phone-call came from Baldwin. He’d been tracking Griffin’s hard work and found out before anyone else could tell him, “You beat me. You are the recruiter of the nation”, Griffin recalls. Griffin was awarded Prior Service Recruiter of the Nation for 2024. Griffin’s journey then came full circle when he was afforded the opportunity to return to his home and family back to where it all started. Now at PSRSS Charlotte, he’s training to become the station commander, shadowing none other than Baldwin; the very Marine who first lit the spark. No longer just a mentee, Griffin has become a leader in his own right, setting the standard for those who will follow after him.
Sgt. Griffin’s story is a testament to what’s possible when ambition meets perseverance. Through mentorship, hard work, and a commitment to both his family and the Marine Corps, he has carved out a path that not only honors those who inspired him but paves the way for future Marines to rise just as he did.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2025 09:45 |
| Story ID: | 494714 |
| Location: | US |
| Hometown: | CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 5 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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