Washington, D.C. -- Fresh dew wets the grass as the sun slowly rises over the countryside. The only sounds that can be heard are birds chirping and a lawnmower in the distance. It is a sharp contrast from the fast-paced life of Washington, D.C.
This is the type of difference Cpl. Megan Hancock, a native of Sheridan, Ill., has had to adjust to when she moved to the National Capital Region.
“It’s quiet. It’s not like D.C. at all,” Hancock said about her hometown of Sheridan. “I miss it every day. It’s such a great way to grow up.”
Hancock has been a reproductions specialist at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. since 2012.
Her job is to print pamphlets, placards and posters for use at the Barracks and across the Marine Corps. Her section may be best known for their work producing Marine Corps Institute books which Marines use for Marine-specific distance education.
Hancock said her journey into the Marine Corps began because of her father.
“I wanted to join the Marine Corps because I was raised by a single father who was a Marine for 20 years,” said Hancock. “When I went in, I was the easiest person to recruit because I was sure this is what I wanted to do.”
Hancock says she originally picked public affairs as her job, but was assigned to reproductions after she joined.
“I like my job because I know how to do it, and I know I’m good at it,” said Hancock.
On any given day, Hancock said they can expect to be busy printing, binding and designing.
Hancock said that for MCIs, her section is responsible for printing books and designing any line art.
“We get the PDF files of the words and we print that,” said Hancock. “Then we print the cover, put them together and send them to the warehouse where they get shipped out.”
Starting this fall however, MCIs will be available exclusively online, taking away the primary mission for Hancock and the other Marines with whom she works. As a result, her section will be disbanded this fall.
Hancock said even with a positive experience in the Corps, she still remembers and misses where she comes from.
“I have really enjoyed my time here,” said Hancock. “But I could never live like this forever, and I can’t wait to go back to my roots.”