DENVER, Col. -- More than 80 future United States Marines took the Oath of Enlistment on the Denver Nuggets basketball court inside the Denver Pepsi Center, Feb. 1, 2018.
Captain Anthony, Officer Selection Officer with Recruiting Station Denver administered the Oath of Enlistment.
“I think it’s great these young men and women get recognition for a conscious decision they’re making, whether it’s to better their future or support an organization bigger than themselves,” said Rollins. “To be able to do that in front of their friends and family and everyone else attending the game adds weight and importance to the decision they made to go forth and do great things.”
Local recruiters from RS Denver also assisted in the performance and stayed to watch the game with their future Marines and a crowd nearly filling all the Pepsi Center seats.
Jayme Curtis, a sales representative for the Denver Nuggets, greatly assisted in organizing the event by contacting the Marine Corps recruiting station and ensured all the attending future Marines and families enjoyed their night.
“It was an honor to have these young men and women of the Colorado community recognized before they ship to recruit training,” said Curtis.
The future Marines were given the opportunity to invite friends and family as well to watch the ceremony, and stay for the basketball game.
Erik Reader, one of the future Marines who participated in the ceremony, said he was grateful for the opportunity to participate.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” said Reader. “My dad ended up coming to the game. I’ve only been to a few football games before, so that was pretty awesome.”
Reader said participating in the event was a prestigious opportunity and provided a feeling of, “something I haven’t felt since I was younger.”
Events such as this Oath of Enlistment and other spectacles involving those who have chosen to dedicate themselves to military service not only shines the spotlight of recognition and pride of country for the individual, it also provides an opportunity for loved ones to see the public reverence shown to their future service member.