Commandant Conway asks 129,000 ex-Marines to personally contact teachers, pastors, coaches in drive to recruit youth

James Blake Miller, the 'Marlboro Marine', became an icon of the gritty American warrior in a picture published world-wide. After separating from the Marines, he was treated for PTSD and depression.

The Corps’ top commander wants former leathernecks to spread the good word about the service and, by word of mouth, support the stepped up Marine recruiting effort.

The Marine Corps faces a recruiting challenge as it seeks to increase its end strength by 22,000 leathernecks by 2011. While the increase will go a long way toward helping Commandant Gen. James Conway realize the goal of lengthening time at home for combat troops before returning to the battlefield, the proposed swell in personnel also increases pressure on recruiters. Corps officials have recognized this, and have authorized bigger and more re-enlistment bonuses to keep Marines in the ranks while the force grows.

Former leathernecks can help in the effort to add to the force by talking up the service to those in a position to influence potential recruits, such as coaches, teachers and religious leaders, Conway said in an open letter to retired Marines. Some 129,000 letters went out in the mail to retired Marines on April 5, according to a Corps spokesman. The letter is also posted on the Corps’ Manpower and Reserve Affairs Web site.

Read the rest at Marine Corps Times

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