Sergeant Marcos A. Valentin, career planner, 1st

Sergeant Marcos A. Valentin, career planner, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, was named “Career Planner of the Year” for 1st Marine Division during the 1st Marine Division Annual Career Planning Awards Luncheon at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2014. He was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his accomplishments. Valentin met his retention goal of more than 200 percent during 2013. He is required to interview each of the elite infantrymen that he supports at least two to three times during their careers. In order to accommodate their busy training and deployment schedules, he interviewed many of them during field training and also during early mornings and late nights. He is only one of many career planners who serve more than 25,000 combat-ready Marines and Sailors throughout 1st Marine Division. Valentin, a 27-year-old native of Mira Mesa, San Diego, and 2004 graduate of Mira Mesa High School, reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for recruit training nearly nine years ago Mar. 7, 2005. He plans to make the Marine Corps a career. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer / released)