OCTOBER 19, 2021 – Marine Corps Recruiting Command successfully closed out Fiscal Year 2021 mission in all categories, Sept. 30, signally an end to one of the more challenging years in recent memory for the command.
Despite several challenges that greatly impacted recruiting efforts, the daily grind, commitment, and relentless effort of Marine Recruiters and Officer Selection Officers across the Nation resulted in more than 1,880 officer accessions and 36,424 enlisted accessions during FY 2021.
“We overcame wildfires, blizzards, floods, a flattened shipping model, the highest reserve mission since 2010, the loss of Boot Leavers [new Marines coming home from recruit training to assist Marine Recruiters], experienced closed schools, low propensity, and a hyper-competitive market, all in the midst of the global pandemic and the arrival of the more deadly Delta variant,” said Maj. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm, MCRC, Commanding General.
“You cannot keep Marines down. We are winners. We adapt, we overcome, and we accomplish our mission together, because we know our Corps is relying on us.”
In addition to accomplishing all assigned recruiting missions, the recruiting force achieved great successes in diversity and female accessions.
“We adapt, we overcome, and we accomplish our mission together, because we know our Corps is relying on us.” Maj. Gen. Jason Q. Bohm, MCRC Commanding General
The command’s OSOs achieved historic success with diversity representation, with more than 35 percent of all new officer candidates being diverse.
Additionally, 15.1 percent of all officer accessions were women, which is the highest number of female officer accessions the Marine Corps has ever accessed in a Fiscal Year, and greatly exceeded the goal of 10 percent. Within the enlisted ranks, 48 percent of all new enlisted recruits contributed to diversity representation, which is an increase from 43 percent in 2020.
“Aiming to bring in the perspectives of Americans from all walks of life is key to acquiring talented men and women of every race, color and creed,” said Col. Warren C. Cook, the Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations, MCRC.
“Marine Corps Recruiting Command achieved and went beyond our projected goals in diversity both for enlisted and officer components. This can be attributable to our deliberate assignment of Marines to recruit in all corners of the Nation.
It’s how we attain a reflection and representation of the rich fabric of the American people and culture. This will remain a priority and we will continue this effort in the upcoming fiscal year.”
Throughout the year, Marine Recruiters also had to make adjustments and adapt to the impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which interrupted the Corps “face-to-face” recruiting methodology.
The recruiting force had limited access to schools, classrooms and career fairs throughout the country, creating a major setback for interactions with the prospect market.
“Being able to meet face-to-face with our target audience is our bread and butter,” said Master Sgt. Jeremiah Bentz, Marketing Chief and Career Recruiter, MCRC. “There is no better proof source or awareness product than a Marine Recruiter in the dress blue uniform being able to speak with potential applicants.”
Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling
Marine Corps Recruiting Command