The city of New Orleans dedicated the first United States monument of a woman in service uniform: “Molly Marine” on 10Nov, 1943.  A local recruiter commissioned the statue to help recruit women during World War II. For female Marines around the world, Molly has come to represent the countless significant contributions women have made to the Corps. She proudly stands for endurance, the book she holds records our history, the binoculars allow her to see into the future and she looks up steadfast facing all that comes her way. Molly has become a symbol of Esprit de Corps for all women Marines. Before graduation from boot camp, the recruits are asked to name one fellow recruit within their platoon who best exemplifies being a Marine. Here, we celebrate our newest sisters.

Molly Marines 4000 Series

O Co 8 Jan 2014

 

PVT Shondra D. Jordan,

O Co, Plt 4000

8 January 2014

A Molly Marine is the epitome of the ideal female Marine.  She is one that puts the needs and wants of others before her own.  No matter how hard things may get she pushes through and will not stop until the rest of her peers are right by her side.  A Molly Marine takes pride in holding the title Recruit and embraces it until she earns the title United States Marine.

A Molly Marine is someone who looks at every moment as an opportunity to be a blessing to her fellow peers.  She always thinks about the welfare of others.  She feels that if she can help at least one person along the way then her living and purpose in life will not be in vain.  A Molly Marine is not selfish and will give her last efforts to help her peers.  She is very intuitive and aware of when a Marine is in distress and she is at their beckoned call to see them through.  Not only will she lead them to help but at any given time she becomes the very help that they need.  A Molly Marine gives her all to better herself and others.  No matter what obstacle she may face, she exemplifies the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment.

A Molly Marine is one who leads by example but realizes that she is not perfect and always awaits an opportunity for improvement.  She accepts tough criticism and willingly applies it to her life.  She is slow to anger and never shows sign of a bad attitude.  A Molly Marine is also one who embodies the 14 well-known leadership traits of a Marine which makes her respected amongst her peers. She is one that others look up to when they need motivation, spiritual guidance, and support.  She has earned the respect of her peers and she strives daily from the moment her feet hit the ground at the break of day until she closes her eyes at night to never let them down.

I can truly say that it is such an honor to be selected as a Molly Marine.  I may not be the fastest runner or able to do the most pull-ups but I will give my life for one of my fellow peers.  I have learned throughout training there is a reward in being selfless, loving, caring, forgiving, loyal, responsible and honest.  It is not a tangible reward but it is a blessing to know that you have touched someone’s life.  The reward is simply knowing that I have purpose and that God’s plan is working in my life. This is one of the most humbling experiences that I have had.  It is not done for a show or to gain recognition but simply because it is who I am and who I was created to be. I love people and I love helping others.  No matter how I am feeling it is never too bad to pray for the recruit who is on bed rest.  No matter how sore I am, I am never too sore to encourage my fellow peers to sound off and push harder at PT.  No matter what the reason may be when going to the pits, I am never too aggravated or upset that I can not speak positive words to my fellow peers to assure that we will not go back for that same reason again.  A Molly Marine is that one that every female should strive to be. Within this platoon we all have traits of a Molly Marine and seeing that in my fellow peers pushes me to be the best at everything I set out to do.  I am honored to be selected the Molly Marine, it is not just an award or a title but it is a lifestyle.

PFC Breanna M. Brown

O Co, Plt 4001

8 January 2014

A Molly Marine is a Marine that every recruit has the potential to be but few strive to become.  She is completely dedicated to the mission of values-based training in order to become the best, well-rounded Marine by the end of boot camp.  During the transformation of recruit to Marine, she gains the respect of her platoon and becomes the backbone that her fellow sisters can rely on.  A Molly Marine has such pride in the Marine Corps that she lives it’s values of honor, courage and commitment through exemplifying the 14 Marine Corps leadership traits.

The Molly Marine is the motivator and mentor of their platoon.  They recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the platoon and strive to improve themself and others to make the platoon more balanced.  A Molly Marine’s enthusiasm for Espirit de Corps is so contagious that her fellow peers look to her as the example.  She employs all aspects of discipline by obeying all orders, being independent enough to take the initiative and being the ultimate team player.  She does not care as much for her own success but of the success of every sister in her series graduating with her.  If one of her peers were to falter, she will feel partially responsible that she had not taken more measures to help that individual in need.  She will constantly put the team before herself because she is selfless and fully committed to her platoon and the Marine Corps.  She is eager to help with any task at hand.

A Molly Marine is a firm believer in “actions speak louder than words”; oftentimes doing more behind the scenes than worrying about incentives or recognition.  Her actions are not driven to impress any person or to glorify herself but rather to complete the mission however possible.  She leads by confident example.  Integrity is never an issue with her because she keeps her moral compass true.  Although she is a natural leader, she is not ashamed of following or seeking advice when the time is right.  She is constantly seeking self-improvement through knowledge, skills and application of every training session she has had at Parris Island.

Those who become a Molly Marine are not ashamed to show their pride in the United States Marine Corps.  The challenges and successes of becoming a Marine is all the motivation she needs.  She develops confidence, focus and discipline to become the ideal Marine.  She has full faith that every recruit can become the ideal Marine.  She strives to pull out the Molly Marine out of everyone around her to help sustain the United States Marine Corps as an elite fighting force and will not rest until the mission is complete.