San Diego -- One of the most important jobs in the Marine Corps is finding new Marines. The men and women tasked with this job are responsible of creating the future of the Corps and recognition was given to those charged with overseeing and managing the task.
Leaders from the Marine Corps Recruiting Command held a Superior Achiever Award Ceremony at the Admiral Kidd Conference Center, Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, Dec. 5.
The awards ceremony was held to recognize the hard work and efforts of the recruiting districts and stations over the past year.
The ceremony was part of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Operations and Training Symposium, which was a training seminar designed to educate and enhance the tools for leaders to employ in their recruiting efforts.
The special guest of the event was Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
During the ceremony, Dunford presented awards to leaders from the various districts and stations, recognizing each one for their efforts. Concluding the ceremony was special recognition to Master Gunnery Sgt. Alain Reyes, recruiter instructor, Recruiting Station Salt Lake City, 12th Marine Corps District, Western Recruiting Region, who was awarded with the Marine Corps Medal for his heroic actions during an active shooter incident in his local community.
After the ceremony, the commandant spoke to the Marines about his vision and direction of the Marine Corps and addressed questions from them.
“When people think of the Marine Corps, they think of an elite force of the best the United States has to offer,” said Dunford. “What we need to do is look at the current challenges and make sure, in the context of today’s threat, we address how we can do what the nation needs us to do.”
Upon the conclusion of the event, Dunford stressed the importance of the recruiting effort and its pivotal role in the future of the Marine Corps.
“Our efforts right now will lay the foundation for the next 10 to 15 years,” said Dunford. “When we go to war, we go to war with the American people. When we recruit, we recruit the American people’s best.”