Looking to be one of the few, the proud, the Marines?
There's a new recruiter in town to help with enlistment.
Staff Sgt. Michael S. Archer, 33, is the United States Marine Corps recruiter representing the high schools of Warsaw, Wawasee, Plymouth, Argos, Triton and Tippecanoe Valley. His office is at 2608 Sheldon St., Warsaw, next to Wings Etc.
Archer was born and raised in Clinton, Ind. He graduated in 1996 from South Vermillion High School. After graduation, he went to Vincennes University to major in industrial drafting.
In college, Archer said during an interview Wednesday afternoon, he was struggling with working and not concentrating on his school work. While talking it over with some friends at a McDonald's, a recruiter overheard him and offered Archer the idea of joining the Marines.
In August 1998, Archer was assigned to 3d Marine Regiment in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, as an administrative clerk. He was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in November 1998 and corporal in November 2000.
In March 2001, Archer reported to Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, where he assumed the duties as the administrative clerk. A year later, he reported to Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlington, Va., where he assumed duties as the administrative clerk at the Pentagon for the Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations. That November, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Archer reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron-172, Marine Wing Support Group-17, 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa, Japan, in September 2005 for duties as the administrative chief.
The following September, he reported to 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C., for duties as the regimental administrative chief. Archer was promoted to his current rank of staff sergeant in October 2008.
That November, he reported to 3d Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, for duties as the battalion administrative chief.
In April 2010, Archer reported to Recruiter School in San Diego, Calif., for duties as recruiter in Warsaw. He has been serving in Warsaw for the past month.
Wednesday, Archer said he only spent three months in Iraq. He's also been to South Korea; 29 Palms, California; Yuma, Ariz.; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and worked at the Pentagon.
"My first duty station was in Hawaii. That's what made me want to stay in the Marine Corps," he said.
Being stationed at the Pentagon also made him want to stay in the service, he said.
Now in Indiana, he said he is a big Colts fan. He will be in this area at least for the next three years.
His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (times four), National Defense Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (times two).
Archer is married to the former Therey Ayala from Hawaii. They have a daughter, Mia-Alexandria.
Archer said he is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone considering enlisting in the Marines. Anyone who wants to talk about joining can make an appointment with him so he can dedicate his time to them. The appointment can be scheduled at his office or at the person's home.
"We're just looking for the few and the proud," he said.
Contact him at 574-267-2604 (office); 574-320-7287 (cell); 574-267-2046 (fax) or SSgtArcher@gmail.com (e-mail). He also can be found on Facebook.
Archer also said if any businesses, schools or other organizations have any events where they would like the Marines to display, they can contact him in advance and the Marines will be glad to assist.
