Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Seattle, celebrated the grand opening of the Marysville Navy Recruiting Station, in Marysville, Jan. 14.

Nearly a dozen future Sailors listened as Cmdr. Thavee Douangaphaivong, NRD Seattle commanding officer, shared his thoughts on leadership as they prepared to embark on their military service.

"Embrace the unknown, take on the challenge that comes, one challenge at a time; one event at a time," Douangaphaivong said. "Give it everything you've got because when you cross that line, when that event is called done, I want you to realize that you've left everything to succeed at that event. Leave nothing behind."

It was as much about these future Sailors as it was about the grand opening of the station where many like them would be recruited.

"They'll forever remember the station, the location and some may even remember their recruiter," said Douangaphaivong. "By and large, they will have that association and hometown roots from NRS Marysville, because this is where they took that initial bold step into their career."

Future Sailor Anna Weatherhead was one of the first to arrive to the ceremony. She is 21 years old and said she is ready for a change in her life.

"I was always in retail, so I just felt like this would be a better chance to actually work with people on a more meaningful level," explained Weatherhead.

Douangaphaivong echoed similar sentiments.

"It's an opportunity to grow and develop and to realize their full potential as young adults, first and foremost, and then young leaders, who I one day hope will rise and fill in the ranks of today's leaders," he said.

The construction took approximately seven months in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle district. Brand new Navy Recruiting Station Tri-Cities of Washington will be the next to open in February.

NRD Seattle, of Navy Recruiting Command, manages 31 recruiting stations throughout Washington, Alaska, and Montana.

Navy Recruiting Command's mission is to Recruit the best men and women for America's Navy to accomplish today's missions and meet tomorrow's challenges.

To find the nearest recruiter in your area, visit http://www.navy.com/locator.html.

For more information about Navy Recruiting, visit http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrc/.

For more news from Navy Recruiting District Seattle, visit www.navy.mil/.