First Marine to ever hold these two titles!!
When a Marine needs to pick their “B” Billet, they usually pick between Drill Instructor and Recruiter Duty. Of course, there are pros and cons to both… Few pick BOTH. That’s the case for Gunnery Sergeant Jose Flores. He has served as both a recruiter on the east coast and Drill Instructor on the west coast. Where the real anomaly lies is he has received BOTH Recruiter of the Year (2014) AND Drill Instructor of the Year (2021).
Jose Flores enlisted at the age of 17 in 2008 and has had an incredible career. He was attached to Recruiting Station Substation Patchogue, New York, where he was named the Non-Prior Service Recruiter of the Year for FY14. Flores was also meritoriously promoted from the rank of sergeant to staff sergeant.
He is currently service as the the Recruit Training Regiment drill master, (prior Fox Company DI) and also received his Doctorate Degree from Grand Canyon University in Organizational Leadership.
Check out this article by MarineTimes talking about some of his amazing accomplishments.
Here are some photos from GySgts Award Ceremony last week:
Here is GySgt and his son watching over him receiving the award, heart melting!
If you love the giggle and laughs in the last few photos, find out what quote his son said here (hast to do with Forkie from toy story), its totally worth it! LOL.
Lastly, here are photos of everyone giving congratulations.
If you want award ceremony photo’s like this, let me know right here!
Bonus, these two men has single handedly kept my drive to return to MCRD to photograph alive. Shout out to them.
**Disclaimer, these were taken as a gift from Morgan, not a business related item. **