BLOOMINGTON, MInn. -- Recruiting Substation Roseville's Staff Sgt. Anthony Cole retained his recruiter of the year title recently with another award-winning performance.
Recruiting Station Twin Cities' operations section calculated their numbers and determined Cole edged out Recruiting Substation Burnsville's Sgt. Joshua Draveling by 75 points.
"It came down to the final month to determine who had the most," said Recruiter Instructor Master Sgt. Michael Reuland. "The fact that he stepped up and re-peated tells a lot about his character."
The Prior Lake, Minn., native is only the second RS Twin Cities Marine in the last 30 years to receive the award two years in a row.
"It is an unusual feat at a recruiting station to have a repeat recruiter or staff non-commissioned officer of the year and almost unheard of at the district," said Master Gunnery Sgt. John Purcell. "As the contact team chief and lead scout for 8412 talent, back-to-back recruiters or SNCOIC's would be someone I would want to have a little talk with."
Cole retained his title at the end of the fiscal year by enlisting 26 aspiring Marines; several of whom were high value targets.
"I know there were a few people who expected me to drop my pack after I was selected the first time, but at the end of the day Roseville still needed to make mission," explained Cole. "It's all about your drive to succeed. Not everyone who goes on recruiting duty strives to do great things. Some just want to do their time and move on. That's not me."
The 29-year-old Prior Lake High School graduate will complete recruiting duty later this year with more than 80 contracts under his belt.
"I'm glad I was able to see him succeed at something I honestly thought he'd struggle with," said Staff Sgt. Scott Cole, Anthony's older brother and Recruiting Substation Woodbury SNCOIC. "Although I joke with him that I would've taken recruiter of the year if I had stayed on the streets and not been pulled to run a station."
Cole, a food service specialist, returns to his primary profession in March when he leaves for Hawaii to serve with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
"I'm happy he's continuing his Marine Corps career, but I'm also losing a great recruiter," said Staff Sgt. Jowa Wildes, RSS Roseville SNCOIC. "He's that guy you always want with you when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, because he doesn't understand the concept of defeat. His big thing was that it was never about him, it was about the team."
Wildes also mentioned Cole currently has the most points in FY13 as well.
"Someone has some massive corfams to fill," said the 34-year-old Palmdale, Calif., native. "Now we just have to see who steps up and takes the reins."