MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, - Of the 200,000 people who join the military every year, 180,000 join the enlisted ranks and 20,000 become officers. There are various opportunities for enlisted Marines to transition to the commissioned ranks and continue their career, but the selection process for these programs is extremely competitive and requires a process of indoctrination completely different from the enlisted mindset. That being said, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island boasts prior-enlisted commanders in nearly every battalion; an unprecedented circumstance. Each of
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND, - Of the 200,000 people who join the military every year, 180,000 join the enlisted ranks and 20,000 become officers. There are various opportunities for enlisted Marines to transition to the commissioned ranks and continue their career, but the selection process for these programs is extremely competitive and requires a process of indoctrination completely different from the enlisted mindset. That being said, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island boasts prior-enlisted commanders in nearly every battalion; an unprecedented circumstance. Each of them took the road less traveled to get to where they are today, but they all share the same experience of enduring recruit training and earning their Eagle, Globe and Anchor aboard the recruit depot. ~ After seeing a Marine with Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Company fast-roping out of the back of a CH-46 on the cover of Leatherneck Magazine, Lt. Col. Shawn Rickrode knew what he wanted to do as a career. Up until that point, Rickrode said he had aspirations of going to college to become a sports journalist. “I had no inkling of joining the military until I got out of high school,” Rickrode said. “I wanted to be the next Bob Costas. Ultimately I decided that I needed some structure in my life.” It was Rickrode’s best friend who inspired him to join the Marine Corps and ship to Parris Island as part of the buddy program. He soon learned that the process to becoming a part of FAST Company was a long and arduous one; a poolee had to have a guaranteed infantry contract, move to security forces after infantry training, then compete for a spot in the 300-Marine section, which was a small and competitive number compared to other Marine designators. Rickrode left for Parris Island on an open contract and was able to find his way to FAST Company after going through the necessary indoctrination process. After his first few years in the Marine Corps,
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Keywords: enlisted, island, marines, mecep, officer, parris, usmc
