Warrior: The Making of A Female Marine
Posted in: Boot Camp, Personal Stories, Physical Fitness, Training, USMCBy Amber J. Cabrera “Move your butt, Cabrera!” The drill instructor shouted. Startled, I realized the precarious position I was in. I grabbed a thick, knotted rope hanging from the obstacle course. I held it with both hands, wrapped the end around my left foot and with all of my weight, pressed with my right foot
February 1944 The Grand Rapids Platoon
Posted in: History, Military, Personal Stories, WWIIOn February 12, 1944, 29 women left Grand Rapids, Mi to go to Camp Lejuene, NC. Now over 67 years later Phyllis Savio Barnard Lee is trying to track down who is left from this Michigan Platoon. By Phyllis Savio Lee It was Sunday morning, Dec 7, 1941. My family radio was on and we
From Molly Marine to OCS
Posted in: Boot Camp, Molly Marines, Personal Stories, Training, WMABy 1stLt Catherine Carty, USMC I was born and raised in North Canton, Ohio, which is about an hour south of Cleveland. I am one of seven kids. My dad’s generation was drafted in Vietnam. However, I am the only one from my generation (20 total) in the military. Like many, I decided to join the
My Molly Marine Award
Posted in: Awards, Boot Camp, Molly Marines, Personal Stories, TrainingNovember 1975, when I was a young and eager 18 year old, I was selected by vote of the platoon to receive the Molly Marine Award. This award was given to the recruit which best exemplifies the spirit of Molly Marine and was the best example of a United States Marine. At the time, I
Golda’s Story
Posted in: History, Military, Personal Stories, USMC, veterans, WMA, Women of the Corps History ProjectA momentous day in history, December 7, 1941, changed the lives of many people including myself. On March 2, 1944, in Seattle, Washington, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and left for boot camp on April 28th, 1944. Boot camp was at Camp Lejeune, N.C where I was in Co. E, Plat
Once Again the Women Marines Aid the Sixth Marine Division
Posted in: Events, Personal Stories, WWIIBy Rosemary Gregorec (Battle Born NV-1, WMA) October 2010 As in 1943 when women were called upon to join the Corps to “Free A Man To Fight”, taking over many non-combat billets, thus enabling the Sixth Marine Division to be in the field, so now come members of the Women Marines Association to take over
A Special Veteran
Posted in: History, Military, Personal Stories, USMC, veterans, WMABy Kelly Wilkinson It’s funny how for most of life, Veterans Day was just a day to sleep in and not have to go to school, and then later, work. Veterans were old guys in hats with pins. But now, veterans are my contemporaries, and this day is a good one to visit one of
A Runners Spirit
Posted in: Awards, Personal Stories, Physical Fitness, Training, veterans, Womens IssuesBy Melissa Peek Burton When I got out of the Marine Corps in 1995, I swore I’d never run again. My knees would ache for days after a run. It just wasn’t worth it. My sedentary lifestyle caught up with me and I gained a lot of weight. I was miserable inside and out. I
Camels and Dress Blues
Posted in: Personal StoriesI’ve been so busy with school this semester that I haven’t had a lot of time to do much writing, but here is a short story and two photos from Cairo, Egypt, where I was stationed for my last year on Marine Security Guard duty. Every year during Marine Corps ball season the detachment has
Once Upon A Time in the Marine Corps
Posted in: Personal Stories, WWIIBy Clarence Nelson On December 7, 1941 the lives of the young men and women of what has been called the greatest generation of Americans were forever changed. At the time of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, the idea of women in the Marine Corps had not even been considered since WW-I. But, soon after
Ah, Boot Camp!
Posted in: Boot Camp, History, Military, Personal Stories, TrainingWhether you’re a Marine who served in 1918, 1942, 1955, 1968, 1977, 1985, 1999, or 2010, boot camp is a memory no female Marine will ever forget! Think back to that first day when you were herded off the bus in the wee hours of the night. The yelling began almost immediately! You were a
Lessons Learned in Today’s Military
Posted in: Afghanistan, Female Engagement Teams, Personal Stories, Valueshttp://tinyurl.com/2855puu Lt. Col. Diana Staneszewski is a Western woman who communicates with Afghans in their native tongue, bridging the language barrier and gaining the trust of the locals she encounters on patrol. Job/Position Title: Communications Officer/ AFPAK Hand assigned in Regional Command South to the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team in support of the 411th Civil Affairs