Staff Sgt. Darrell Rich, the enhanced marketing vehicle

Staff Sgt. Darrell Rich, the enhanced marketing vehicle chief, speaks to students during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association fan experience at the Charlotte Convention Center Feb. 27, 2014. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was founded in 1912 and is the oldest African American athletic conference in the country, mostly consisting of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The CIAA recognizes the academic achievement of its student-athletes annually by naming its top student-athletes to the Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. The CIAA partnership provides the United States Marine Corps with an opportunity to celebrate the hard work, courage and commitment to excellence exhibited by its many participants. The Marine Corps acknowledges this event as a valuable opportunity to spread public awareness of the Marine Corps and reinforce the idea of the armed services as a career option within the African American community. There are currently 20,000 African American men and women serving in the Marine Corps, making up approximately 10% of the total force. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Stanley Cao)