Press Release: Mission-Ready Recruitment
New Case Study Reveals U.S. Marine Corps' Proven Recruitment Strategies and Lessons for Local Governments
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Today, Work for America released “Mission-Ready Recruitment,” a case study unpacking the U.S. Marine Corps’ gold-standard recruitment system and the lessons it offers to state and local governments facing workforce crises. As public sector agencies struggle to attract and retain critical talent, the Marine Corps' approach provides a replicable model for building resilient, high-performing workforces.
The study outlines practical strategies public sector leaders can implement, from leadership accountability to data-driven hiring processes.
“The Marine Corps knows that a strong workforce doesn't happen by accident," said Caitlin Lewis, Executive Director of Work for America. "By treating recruitment as a leadership priority, understanding and communicating unique value propositions, and implementing a clear, repeatable system, the Marine Corps ensures a steady pipeline of top-tier talent. Local governments can and should follow suit to deliver the essential services our communities rely on."
Unlike typical organizations where hiring is relegated to HR departments, the Marine Corps places recruitment under direct senior leadership oversight. To this end, Marine recruiters are promoted from the best within the ranks, hand-selected based on performance, leadership ability, communication skills, and their embodiment of the organization's values.
“If state and local governments want to attract and retain top talent, they must treat recruitment as a proactive, core strategic function — not just an administrative task,” said case study contributor Colonel Bill Gray, USMC (Ret.), former Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and District Commanding Officer. “Leadership engagement is the difference between passively filling vacancies and building a capable workforce.”
As governments confront workforce challenges, “Mission-Ready Recruitment” provides public sector leaders with a blueprint for strategic talent acquisition. The report outlines five detailed, actionable steps drawn from the Marine Corps' model that government agencies can implement to build stronger, more resilient workforces:
Make Recruitment a Leadership Priority – Treat recruitment as a strategic function with leadership support and clear expectations.
Invest in Recruitment – Start small, reallocate resources, and build a culture that values recruitment.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive – Develop talent pipelines, engage with communities, and track prospects.
Standardize Processes – Create structured workflows, train recruiters, and measure performance.
Communicate Your Value – Highlight success stories, workplace culture, and the impact of public service.
A cornerstone of Marine Corps success comes from its precision in articulating the deeper value of service. Through its “intangibles” exercise, recruiters help potential enlistees identify motivations beyond compensation — such as leadership development, purpose, and community.
To read the full case study, visit this link.
To view a video overview of the findings, click here.
Work for America will also host a webinar on Thursday, March 13 at 12 p.m. EST, featuring Colonel Bill Gray, USMC (Ret.). RSVP here.
About Work for America
Work for America is a nonprofit that aims to make public service a more desired, accessible, and stable career path that uplifts families, communities, and our country. We help state and local governments recruit, retain, and empower the next wave of public servants, ensuring better services and a stronger America.
About William (Bill) C. Gray
Bill Gray currently serves as the Managing Director for Talent Management at SteerBridge. He built a distinguished career as a Marine Corps officer in aviation logistics, serving in multiple leadership roles throughout his tenure.
