Stories

Sarah Jennings, left, walks away from Grand Valley State University with a friend Aug. 23. Jennings turned down a music scholarship to the university and joined the Marine Corps? Delayed Entry Program in Muskegon, Mich. - Sarah Jennings, left, walks away from Grand Valley State University with a friend Aug. 23. Jennings turned down a music scholarship to the university and joined the Marine Corps? Delayed Entry Program in Muskegon, Mich.

Sergeant Abdi?s?specialty is meeting people and ?handshaking,? as shown above with Chris Sergeant, a security guard at a local store. - Sergeant Abdi?s?specialty is meeting people and ?handshaking,? as shown above with Chris Sergeant, a security guard at a local store.

A Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon member inspects an M-1 Garand rifle during a performance at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 14. The platoon performed for poolees, veterans and members of the community despite the steady rain. - A Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon member inspects an M-1 Garand rifle during a performance at the Illinois State Fair Aug. 14. The platoon performed for poolees, veterans and members of the community despite the steady rain.

Holding busts of the Roman warriors who inspired the award, "Centurions" Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Easton, left, and Staff Sgt. Charles R. Rush earned the honored title Aug. 11, 2005, at Recruiting Station Des Moines, Iowa, for signing up 100 recruits each. The District's commanding officer, Col. Jeffery M. Peterson, presented each with the bust as well as a framed citation and certificate, during a ceremony witnessed by many of the RS's Marines as well as the recruiters' families. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon) - Holding busts of the Roman warriors who inspired the award, "Centurions" Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Easton, left, and Staff Sgt. Charles R. Rush earned the honored title Aug. 11, 2005, at Recruiting Station Des Moines, Iowa, for signing up 100 recruits each. The District's commanding officer, Col. Jeffery M. Peterson, presented each with the bust as well as a framed citation and certificate, during a ceremony witnessed by many of the RS's Marines as well as the recruiters' families. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon)

Staff Sgt. Joe I. Moran replies to a recruit's letter - one of many tasks recruiters accomplish each day besides prospecting. - Staff Sgt. Joe I. Moran replies to a recruit's letter - one of many tasks recruiters accomplish each day besides prospecting.

Mary Lou Keester, left, and Thea Welke founded the Marine Moms of the Quad-Cities, a support group for the mothers of current or soon-to-be Marines in the Davenport, Iowa, area in April 2005. With many wary mothers and fathers urging their children to avoid military service, Marine recruiters in the area refer parents to Welke and Keester, who offer to share their own experiences about having kids in the Corps. (Photo taken May 11, 2005, by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon) - Mary Lou Keester, left, and Thea Welke founded the Marine Moms of the Quad-Cities, a support group for the mothers of current or soon-to-be Marines in the Davenport, Iowa, area in April 2005. With many wary mothers and fathers urging their children to avoid military service, Marine recruiters in the area refer parents to Welke and Keester, who offer to share their own experiences about having kids in the Corps. (Photo taken May 11, 2005, by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon)

Sgt. Richard A. Davenport speaks to a newly graduated student while canvassing at a mall in Fort Wayne, Ind. The recruiting mission has become more difficult over the past few months because of sustained operations overseas. Because of this, recruiters are educating themselves and training harder to address concerns of applicants and parents. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine) - Sgt. Richard A. Davenport speaks to a newly graduated student while canvassing at a mall in Fort Wayne, Ind. The recruiting mission has become more difficult over the past few months because of sustained operations overseas. Because of this, recruiters are educating themselves and training harder to address concerns of applicants and parents. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jason D. Gallentine)

Gunnery Sgt. Shelly D. Bothwell reprimands a candidate during the weekend receiving phase at Camp Atterbury, Ind., April 15. Bothwell, an OCS sergeant instructor, assisted the district AOP office to prepare candidates for OCS. - Gunnery Sgt. Shelly D. Bothwell reprimands a candidate during the weekend receiving phase at Camp Atterbury, Ind., April 15. Bothwell, an OCS sergeant instructor, assisted the district AOP office to prepare candidates for OCS.