MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With some 350 occupational opportunities, United States Marine Corps recruiters use that as a selling point for young men and women unsure of a career path.
Recruiter Staff Sgt. Joshua Glenn, a guest on Morgantown AM, explained how Marines learn skills for life and how the military branch can accommodate a number of career and military goals.
“Like I say, it’s a way for us to enhance the plans they already have whether it be the workforce, a career, maybe 4 years, maybe the whole 20 years, go to college. The Marine Corps can fit every piece of that,” Glenn clarified.
A high school diploma is required and young adults who are 17 must have parental permission to enlist.
Recruiters like Glenn are duty experts who can detail every opportunity for enlistees. Visiting with potential Marines includes simple discussions and sometimes home visits if an inquiry includes more than just general questions about military service.
“That’s what we tell people, just come in and sit down and talk. All that is going to happen is you are going to get some information. Whether it’s going to work for you or not, it’s going to give you some direction,” Glenn shared.
For Glenn, the Marines was his back up career when a trade job became uncertain.
“I became a union construction worker. I liked that until I got laid off. There’s no really job security there. I grabbed my buddy up, actually and said, hey, we’re going to go talk to the Marine Corps.”
Following the routine 12 weeks of training, Glenn started off in motor transport and transitioned into an aviation position with the Marines.
For those interested in higher education, the Marines cover full tuition in time.
“You go through the training. You have to learn what you’re going to do in the Marine Corps before they start letting you take on the extra education,” Glenn explained. “A hundred percent tuition assistance and all you have to do is keep a 2.0.”
Glenn oversees recruiting office in Elkins and Bridgeport as well as at the Morgantown recruiting substation at 1235 Pineview Dr.