Marines Expand in Sherman Oaks

The United States Marine Corps has expanded its presence in Sherman Oaks, so don't be surprised if you see more men and women in Marine Corps dress blues walking up and down Ventura Boulevard.

The Marine Corps office at 14521 Ventura Blvd. used to be a one person operation, but now there are three or four Marines involved in recruiting at the location just west of Van Nuys Boulevard in the heart of Sherman Oaks' business district.

"We like this location because we come in contact with more people here on Ventura," said Staff Sergeant Jeffery Hamn, a Marine veteran who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While talking to Sergeant Hamn, Ruben Acuna, a 17-year-old recent graduate of Birmingham High School, walked into the office to talk to the Marines.

Acuna had already signed up, he wanted to check some last minute details before leaving for Marine Corps recruit training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County.

"I always wanted to be a Marine," said Acuna, "now it's finally happening."

The United States' involvement in two wars has not diminished the number of people joining the Marines according to people in charge of recruiting.

"The men and women who join the Marines these days know that there is a chance they will deploy to a war zone, it's no secret and there's been no decrease in the number of people who sign up," said Sergeant Monique Wallace, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps in the San Fernando Valley.

"We're not looking for quantity, we want quality recruits," Wallace said.

That means people with a felony conviction will not be accepted into the Marine Corps.

"We also don't accept people who have full-sleeve tattoos. Those are the tattoos that competely cover a person's arm. If you can cover your tattoo with your hand, that's acceptable," Wallace said.

The weak job market has led to an increase in the number of people who are considering the military as a way to make a living, according to Wallace. "But we have not changed our standards," she said.

Over the years, the Marine Corps' marketing and advertising campaigns have aimed at a smaller target of people than the other services.

 Advertising slogans such as  "We're Looking for a Few Good Men," and "Maybe You Can Be One of Us," and "We Never Promised You a Rose Garden," tried to create the image of the Marines as an elite branch of the military.

"We really haven't changed that message," said Sergeant Hamn.

"We're still looking for a few good men—and women," he said smiling.

Meantime, the three other Marines in the office were busy working at their desks, talking to people on the telephone. They may be the only people in Sherman Oaks whose shoes are spit-shined to the point where they look like mirrors—every single day.