Marines looking at untapped market for new recruits: Germany

For Americans living in Germany, it’s about to get a lot easier to join the Marine Corps.

Starting on Feb. 15, the Marine Corps will operate a recruiting substation at Kleber Kaserne, a U.S. Army base in Kaiserslautern, Germany, said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Nieves, who is assigned to the facility.

A Marine stationed in Germany had suggested opening a recruiting facility because Americans were returning to the U.S. to enlist in the Corps, Nieves told Marine Corps Times on Thursday.

“It’s a market we’re not really in,” Nieves said. “We’re not really sure how it’s going to go. They proposed it and figured it will save the individuals that are interested a lot of time and money.”

Only Americans ― such as children of U.S. service members and contractors and other Americans living in Europe ― can enlist in the Marine Corps, he said.

Nieves said he plans to travel to bases in the Kaiserslautern Military Community to conduct PT with poolees several times a week. “I’ll have squad leaders for each area and they will report to me,” he said.

Stars and Stripes first reported on Thursday that the Marine Corps will open the recruiting substation in Germany.

For now, Nieves will be the only Marine recruiter in Europe, but he is working with applicants from Brussels, London and Spain, so the Marines may eventually visit high schools outside of Germany, he said.

More In Your Marine Corps

What’s new in Navy and Marine Corps unmanned boats

The more the Navy experiments with unmanned systems, the more it's learning what it needs — and what it doesn't.

Russia claims its Zadira laser weapon destroyed a drone in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that the claim reflects Moscow’s desire to find an alternative to missiles.

Hybrid power could keep the Little Bird helo flying

A small, yet nimble and heavily used light-attack helicopter that carries small teams of special operators into battle has a problem.

The Corps should drop manslaughter charges against MARSOC Marines, corpsman

A Florida congressman's take on MARSOC 3.

Spec ops optics: US forces seek new sights and ways to defeat fog

Having eyes on the battlefield can mean the difference between hitting the right or wrong target, or even hitting the target at all, which is why U.S. special operators are looking to upgrade a host of optics items.

In Other News

Ukrainian troops surrendering at Mariupol registered as POWs

Hundreds more fighters have emerged from the Mariupol stronghold where they made their last stand and surrendered.

Biden invokes Defense Production Act for formula shortage

President Joe Biden has invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production of infant formula and has authorized flights to import supply from overseas.

Junior service members being hit hard by inflation, senior enlisted leaders say

From food to child care to housing, inflation is hitting junior service members especially hard.

Meet the moms behind the Army’s new parenthood policies

Meet two soldier moms who discuss the sweeping changes benefiting new parents and others on this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast.

Thai archival find may resolve fate of missing WWII US pilot

The remains of an American airman missing in World War II may be heading home, thanks to a chance discovery of records in flood-threatened archives in Thailand.

US troop pullout was key factor in Afghan collapse, watchdog says

The report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction mirrors assertions made by senior Pentagon and military leaders.

Trump improperly punished brother of impeachment witness, military watchdog finds

But the Pentagon inspector general does not recommend any firings or adverse actions in response to the infractions.

Senators reach deal to advance sweeping military toxic exposure legislation

The measure could be passed out of the chamber in the next few weeks and become law later this summer.

Diversity and inclusion are critical to future military readiness

The Defense Department’s greatest strength is its people.

Commissaries set limits on purchases of baby formula amid nationwide shortage

The supply of infant formula is running 40 percent to 50 percent below normal in commercial stores, but the most critical, specialized formulas have been even more depleted.