Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, the sergeant major of the corps and its highest-ranking enlisted member, said efforts to recruit 27,000 new Marines will be met by early 2009, nearly three years early.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “The recruiters are making great things happen.”
Kent said the Corps offers men and women a challenge.
“If they want to join,” he said, “the only thing we can offer them is a title (after finishing boot camp).”
“That was my challenge. ... ‘You don’t think I can make it through Marine Corps boot camp? I can do anything’,” said Kent, who completed recruit training in March 1976.
The newly recruited Marines will increase the Corps’ population from 175,000 to 202,000, said Kent, who added that there’s a healthy number of Marines who are re-enlisting.
“We are growing,” he said. “It’s not magic. It’s discipline.”
Kent has been touring bases throughout the Southeast, and was in Albany Thursday to speak with Marines aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, of which Maintenance Center Albany and Marine Corps Logistics Command are tenants.
The primary responsibility of the sergeant major post is personnel issues. Kent, the Corps’ 16th sergeant major, has held the post since April 2007.
We’re just here to thank the Marines and the civilians for what they do for our country and our Corps,” said Kent.
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Kent is clearly enjoying the Southern tour.
“I knew I could get real sweet tea in the South,” he offered.
The sergeant major also was in town to motive Marines about their duties.
“Almost every piece of gear in combat ... comes through this center,” he said. “It’s very important. Every moving piece comes through here.”
In discussing personnel issues with Marines, Kent said that, “Right now, the commandant’s focus is to take care of Marines and their families.”
One thing that Kent said he’s heard from Marines recently is that they “want to go to combat to be with their brothers and sisters.”
“Every Marine ... will come to combat,” he said, noting though that because of duty or station some will see combat earlier in their military careers than others.
“We are the nation’s all-force and readiness.”