MARINES: A Message from the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Marines, Sergeant Major Ruiz here and welcome back from the holiday period. For those of you who had an opportunity to take leave or take advantage of the 96s, thank you for doing that. Thank you for recharging your soul. For those of you who stood to watch, who continue to be forward deployed, we're thinking about you and we're proud of you. Today I find myself at Marine Co-Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Hoorah! Outside this gate there's a big sign that says we make Marines and here's two of them. Honorman from Bravo Company. What platoon are you? 1022. 1022? 1022. 1023 and they're on their way to replace us, to be there, to be better than we were ever. 2025 is going to be a legendary year for the United States Marine Corps. We turn 250 years old. 250 years of being undeniable on the battlefield. So when these Marines, officers enlisted, arrive in your formations to carry on our legacy, sustain their transformation that they fought so hard to earn, it is our responsibility to be there for them and to push them forward, making us all a better and more lethal United States Marine Corps. I'm counting on you to hold the standard. I'm counting on you to elevate the standard. I'm so proud of you. Thank you for what you do. I look forward to seeing you on the fleet for this legendary year. Semper Fi Marines. I'll see you in the fleet.