MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- (Editor's Note: This is Part One in a three-part series on B-Billets, a term which describes a 36-month assignment that Marines serve outside of their Military Occupational Specialty, and a position that is often vital for rank promotion in the Corps. This story focuses on Recruiting Duty.)The old adage "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is an important thing for every Marine to remember, but perhaps it is most crucial to the Marine on Recruiting Duty. For most Marines, the first contact they have with the Corps is when they meet their recruiter. The basis of this initial meeting can play a huge role in whether or not a potential recruit chooses the Marine Corps. "I wasn't really sure if I was going to join the Air Force or not when I went down to the recruiter's office," said Sgt. Daniel States, an MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, military policeman from Las Vegas currently serving at Camp H.M. Smith. "But the Air Force recruiter was out to lunch, and the only one there was the Marine recruiter. He was eating a sandwich at his desk in case someone came in. I'll never forget it, because he put his sandwich away and said he wasn't going to eat again until I joined." That kind of dedication is often what it takes in the world of Recruiting Duty. "Recruiting Duty is probably the most difficult and challenging duty the Corps has to offer," said former recruiter Master Sgt. Andre Robinson, a Marine Corps career planner. "Not every Marine is cut out for this billet." The Marine Corps Recruiting Command's mission is as simple as it is difficult: "To access young men and women to serve as U.S. Marines." "This is one of the most challenging things you can do as a Marine," said Robinson. "It takes a special ability to talk to another individual about making a lifestyle change." Once a Marine, corporal through master sergeant (first sergeants are not eligible), has been approved for Recruiting Duty, the Marine receives orders to Recruiter School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Recruiter School is seven weeks long, has six scheduled classes per year, and begins each class with approximately 250 students. The school teaches effective communication skills, public speaking and techniques of salesmanship, as well as how to cope with a certain amount of rejection and frustration. The minimum tour length for a recruiter is 36 months. "Only the best of the best are selected for Recruiter School," said Robinson. "If someone who is interested in Recruiting Duty comes to me, I let them know of the tremendous hardships that come with this position. I also let them know that those hardships are outweighed by the benefits." According to Robinson, Recruiting Duty is a 25-hour a day, eight-day a week job. "If you're married and have a family, your home life and finances need to be stable," said Robinson. "Because of the long hours and weekends spent recruiting, it's of paramount importance that Marines involve their families in this decision. There's going to be a lot of sacrifices both at the job and at home." Despite the sacrifices, Robinson says great satisfaction also comes from successfully holding this billet. "There's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you make a positive difference in someone's life," said Robinson. "It gave me a lot of pleasure when I saw a kid transform his life for the better by joining the Corps." For more information on Recruiting Duty, contact your career planner. "There is no single assignment that can prepare a Marine to be a recruiter," said Robinson. "The best way to prepare for this assignment is to be an overall outstanding Marine every day."