MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Parris Island is known for turning recruits into Marines. However, recruit training is not where the story begins; the birth of future Marines starts with their first step into a recruiting office.
According to a recent Department of Defense press release, the Marine Corps, along with the Army, Navy and Air Force, exceeded its recruiting goals for February. The recruiting mission was to enlist 4,051 potential Marines, and the Corps' recruiters topped that number with 4,156 contracts, a 103 percent accomplishment rate.
"We're doing well," said Gunnery Sgt. Shannon Beaman, a career recruiter and Depot recruiting liaison section interviewer for the 1st and 8th Marine Corps Recruiting Districts. "Recruiting has been a challenge. However, the Marine Corps has maintained mission accomplishment."
"Recruiting in this area (Beaufort) has been good to me," said Gunnery Sgt. Robert Creps, a canvassing recruiter for Beaufort. "It has its ups and downs, but I've been successful.
"[By taking potential recruits to MCAS Beaufort or MCRD Parris Island], they can physically see that the Marine Corps has the jobs they are looking for."
The 6th Marine Corps Recruiting District was first in the nation to meet the contract mission for March by making the quota a week early, said Master Sgt. David Ridgley, operations chief for 6th District.
The monthly new contract goal for the district was 496 new enlistments; at the end of the month, the recruiters had a net of 502 new contracts.
Ridgley attributes 6th District's success to "good leadership and dedicated recruiters."
To become recruiters, Marines attend a basic recruiters course. The seven-week-long course includes uniform inspections, physical training, Marine Corps martial arts training and is heavy on academics, public speaking and most importantly, professional selling skills, said Beaman.
"You're selling yourself as much as you are selling the Marine Corps," said Beaman. "I sit you down, find out what's important to you and show you how the Marine Corps can help you."
Recruiters spend an average of 12 to16 hours a day, six and a half days a week working with prospective recruits and their families, said Beaman.
"[The family's] schedule becomes your schedule," he added.
Recruiting experiences differ for canvassing recruiters and recruiters stationed on a base.
"What we do [at 6th District] is provide training and guidance [to canvassing recruiters]," said Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Monsalve, a 6th District contact team member.
Being a recruiter at Parris Island has benefits that canvassing recruiters don't get, said Beaman.
"I like being back on Parris Island, because I get to do the things Marines do [like going to the rifle range, doing swim qualification and wearing utilities to work]," said Beaman.
For more information on how to put in a recruiting package, visit www.mcrc.usmc.mil.