Col. Paul D. Cucinotta assumed command of Recruit Training Regiment from Col. Daniel J. Haas during a ceremony on Parris Island, S.C., July 10, 2015. Haas, after successfully completing a two year tour in command, will head to Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command in Fort Meade, Md. Cucinotta comes to the depot from Marine Forces Central Command (Forward) in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Haas was humble in his reflections about his two years of command.
“The regiment works not because of me but because of the great personal sacrifices of these fine men and women we call drill instructors, who ask for little recognition but will greatly impact the lives of their recruits forever,” said Haas. “Today is a day that has great impact on me but will have little impact on the regiment because you have a commander who will build on the successes of this regiment.”Cucinotta had a simple promise and request for the members of his new command.
“Marines and sailors, it is my honor to serve with you,” said Cucinotta. “I will give you the best every day for the next two years. All I ask is that you do the same.”
The goal of Recruit Training Regiment is to provide progressive and demanding training in those subjects required to produce basically trained Marines who function effectively and are trained in marksmanship, basic combat skills, and practice those personal and professional traits which will forever distinguish them as Marines.
Cucinotta was born in Lakewood, N.J. He attended Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., and upon graduation was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant on May 9, 1992. He graduated from The Basic School in Quantico, Va., in 1992, and attended the U.S. Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Okla., before filling numerous billets in artillery units across the Marine Corps including Okinawa, Japan, and Camp Lejeune, N.C. Cucinotta also served as the Marine exchange officer to the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga., from 2005 to 2008. During his time with the Rangers, he completed multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.
