CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The upcoming ribbon cutting of Recruiting Station Charlotte Wednesday signals the Marine Corps’ recognition of the region’s growing population and has drawn support from a prestigious Marine ceremonial unit.
The Battle Colors Detachment of the Marine Corps will perform during the ceremony, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at the RS Charlotte headquarters, located at 8702 Red Oak Blvd., Charlotte.
“Charlotte was chosen as it is one of the fastest growing cities in the Eastern region, and it is the largest metropolitan area that we had in the District that did not have an RS located within it,” said Elgin D. Young, marketing analysis program manager for 6th Marine Corps District.
Media interested in covering the grand opening of RS Charlotte can contact 2nd Lt. Mackenzie Margroum at email: mackenzie.margroum@marines.usmc.mil or phone: 443-891-8331.
“The Charlotte metropolitan and surrounding areas are expected to grow in population at a rate of 47 percent growth over the next 20 years,” said Young. “Charlotte has a potential to expand up to 2.7 million people by 2030.”
RS Charlotte will cover 21,170 square miles and will encompass 40 Counties in North Carolina and seven in South Carolina.
“There are currently 50 Marines assigned and actively engaged in recruiting within the area,” said Young. “The opening of a recruiting station headquarters brings an additional 17 Marines to assist.”
In addition, RS Charlotte will have nine recruiting substations to better reach the community and those interested in the Marine Corps. These stations are located in Asheville, Charlotte, Gastonia, Hickory, Kannapolis, Monroe, Rock Hill, Spartanburg and Winston-Salem.
“The opening of RS Charlotte will be great for the region and great for the Marine Corps,” said Col. William C. Gray, the 6th Marine Corps District commanding officer. “Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It's attracting professional, hardworking people with a work ethic that aligns closely with our core Values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. The creation of RS Charlotte means the Marine Corps is placing even more emphasis on helping the residents of Greater Charlotte explore the Marine Corps as an opportunity to serve and an avenue to pursue personal and professional growth.”
The opening of RS Charlotte takes place at the same time as Marine Week Charlotte, a Marine Corps community outreach event involving a team of 700 Marines conducting a series of displays, demonstrations, musical performances, and time-honored ceremonies that educate the local population about the history, tradition and modern-day functions of the Marine Corps.
6th Marine Corps District is committed to strengthening bonds between the Marine Corps and the citizens of the Southeastern U.S. Our goal is to make Marines who are capable of winning the nation’s battles and returning those Marines to society as quality, contributing members of their communities.