The city of New Orleans dedicated the first United States monument of a woman in service uniform: “Molly Marine” November 10, 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 they have made to the Corps. She has become a symbol of esprit de corps for all women Marines. Just before graduation from boot camp, the female recruits are asked to name one woman within their platoon who best exemplifies esprit de corps. Here, we celebrate two of our newest sisters, Privates First Class Sain and Rubio, who’ve been recognized as Molly Marines. PFCS Sain and Rubio completed recruit training January 5. Due to the weather, these Molly Marines were recognized during a ceremony in their squad bay. (In the first photo, note the lean drill instructors in the back and the 45 degree angles on those racks!)
“I found out the hard way to keep my head down, scream at the top of my lungs, and move faster than I ever had before. I started understanding that everything is done for a reason at boot camp, and never to question the Drill Instructors. As long as I did what I was told in the amount of time allotted I would make it through the training. …after Platoon 4000 won Pugil Sticks III and Initial Drill, I ran to carry the Series Guidon and felt my sense of pride swell. Recruits around me started to turn to me for direction and support. I was always taught to put others before myself and stay true to my word. My mother has made me into the person I am today and instilled in me the strength to become a Marine. It is a huge honor to be chosen as Molly Marine. … The proudest day of my life was when I receive an Eagle Globe and Anchor. I will inspire give back to my country, and fight for the freedom so many Americans take for granted, to join the United States Marines.”
PFC Elizabeth Rubio, Platoon 4001, N Company, El Paso, TX
“Head down on a bus creeping toward destiny, listening to the breaths of the 70-something other civilians on board, a solemn sense of unity grips us even then. Our heartbeats pound rapidly together. That feeble connection developed into something more concrete as those civilians on that bus began to transform through a painfully slow process, where mistakes were corrected immediately and frequently. The whole situation played kindly to those who kept their heads down and did what they were told, and did it fast. I have never felt comfortable “blending into the crowd” nor did I make a conscious decision to do so. I just happened to be average. I came across my share of challenges during recruit training—just as any other recruit has—but I tried to take all the training, and everything taught, to heart. … Now, as before, on that bus ride a lifetime ago, we have … come together, and by the end of training, our hearts … beat as one. I … stand proudly as just an average face in a [great] platoon.”