HARPERS FERRY, WV -- FREDERICK, Maryland – “The first interview you ever do, should be on yourself,” said U.S. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Jason Oliver, a recruiter with Recruiting Station (RS) Frederick and 4th Marine Corps District recruiter of the quarter. “Before you interview another kid, before you interview a prospect or talk to a parent or a teacher, sit down in your office and do the benefit tag presentation for yourself, and remind yourself why you became a Marine and why working this hard is necessary, not only for yourself but also because you are working for other people and you are affecting other people’s lives whether recruiting or not.”
Oliver, a motivated recruiter with an infectious energy about him, won the 4th Marine Corps District recruiter of the quarter on Feb. 8, 2021.
“I was not surprised when I was informed of Gunnery Sergeant Oliver’s accomplishment,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael Collins, RS Frederick’s sergeant major. “It’s contagious, the way Gunnery Sgt. Oliver runs his pool program. People in the community see the transformation that his poolees make and then they want to get involved.”
Oliver, known for his active participation on social media and in the pool, helps prepare poolees mentally, physically, and emotionally for the rigors of Marine Corps recruit training.
Oliver said to continually remind yourself why you are there, when asked what advice he had for any struggling recruiters.
After interviews, Oliver makes sure to share this piece of advice with all of his applicants, “Indecision is a decision, whether you will (join the Marines) or continue with your life. This decision will affect the rest of your life.”
As Oliver’s recruiting tour ends, he is slated to spend his next and final enlistment at 1st ANGLICO, Camp Pendleton, just five minutes down the street from 1st LAR where Oliver’s Marine Corps career began.