MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND, QUANTICO, Va. -- Marines who led the way for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) during fiscal year 2005 (FY ’05) were recognized in two separate ceremonies held here.
At the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Combined Service Awards ceremony on Nov 1, four Marine recruiters were honored for their accomplishments. The 2005 Recruiter of the Year was Gunnery Sgt. Shawn C. Corcoran from Recruiting Sub-Station (RSS) Fond Du Lac, Recruiting Station (RS) Milwaukee, 9th Marine Corps District (MCD) and the 2005 Prior Service Recruiter (PSR) of the Year was Staff Sgt. Mario N. Atkins, 8th MCD Prior Service Recruiting Site in Phoenix, AZ. The runner up for the recruiter of the year was Staff Sgt. Manuel Palos from the 12th MCD and the PSR of the year runner up was Staff Sgt Michael Stine from the 4th MCD.
“This is a hallmark occasion for all our Marines being awarded,” said Maj. Gen. Walter Gaskin, commanding general, MCRC. “These are the hardest workers in our Corps. They are the closest to the fight and I can’t feel more proud, especially in the environment in which they work in. Therefore, I applaud the efforts that these Marines have exhibited.”
All four Marines received Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the winners were meritoriously promoted to their current ranks. They also received various gifts from Marine Corps affiliated organizations and sponsors.
The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, represented the CMC in honoring the award recipients. He congratulated the Marines and reemphasized to everyone in attendance the importance of recruiting.
”These Marines have reached a pinnacle outside their primary MOSs (Military Occupational Specialty) through hard work and sacrifice,” Estrada said. “There would be no United States Marine Corps without the efforts of all our recruiters. Your job in recruiting is undoubtedly one of the most important in our Corps.”
In a separate ceremony held at the Clubs of Quantico on November 3, the 2005 Staff Non-Commissioned Officers In Charge (SNCOIC) and Transitional Recruiters (TR) were honored. The 2005 SNCOIC of the Year was Gunnery Sgt. Genaro Lopez, RSS El Paso East, RS Albuquerque, 8th MCD and the 2005 TR of the Year was Staff Sgt. Komisi Faraimo, Western Recruiting Region (WRR).
The Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Lt. Gen. Jan C. Huly, the guest speaker, lauded the Marines for their accomplishments and described recruiting as the part of the Marine Corps, “where the fire begins.”
“These Marines represent the finest in the Marine Corps – that ember that starts the flame and keeps the Marine Corps fires burning,” Huly said. “It doesn’t start on the yellow footprints, it starts with who the recruiter is in his heart, in his mind and spirit. Quality begets quality and that’s what the Marine Corps is all about.”
As with the recruiters and prior service recruiters, the six SNCOICs and two transitional recruiters also received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and gifts.
During a brief interview after the CMC Awards ceremony, Corcoran reflected on his accomplishments and stated that recruiting duty has allowed him to reaffirm his belief in the Marine Corps. He found that being direct, open and honest was an important part in becoming a successful recruiter.
“As a recruiter, you have to believe in the Corps,” said the Madison, Wisconsin native. “Having perseverance and putting in a hard day’s work will pay off. However, it is important to be honest and straight forward because once you compromise your integrity – you’re done.”
The SNCOIC of the year was very humble about his accomplishment, but expressed his sense of pride for his Marines.
“I have to attribute my success to my Marines because of their hard work on the streets and the quality of kids we have in El Paso,” the El Paso, Texas native said. “My Marines recognize that they have an important job to do for the future of the Marine Corps. It’s something that has to be done.”
In addition to awarding the Marines for their special achievements, MCRC had reason to celebrate at the end of the fiscal year as the command met its assigned goals for FY ’05. The command shipped 38,882 out of a targeted 38,838 applicants to recruit training.