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 N Co 22 Jan 2014
PFC Jennifer L. Bennett
N Co, Plt 4002
22 January 2014
Ten Years ago, if you told me that I would find myself here at Marine Corps Recruit Training, I would have laughed and probably rolled my eyes. Not only is that an undisciplined reaction, but it is also close-minded. Spending the past couple months on Parris Island has changed both of those qualities in me. Due to the instruction from the Drill Instructors and support of my peers, I am better disciplined and more open-minded now.
There are two main reasons why I joined the Marine Corps. One is to help defend America, because in the world we live in today, she needs all the help she can get. Second, I wanted to be part of a hard-working, accomplished team. My initial understanding was that the feeling of being a part of the team would come after I had been out in the fleet for a while. At Recruit Training, we almost instantly learned that importance of teamwork and commitment. As soon as became committed to everything the Drill Instructors demand and teach, we all joined a team.
I have always been, and now more than ever, fascinated by the history of the Marine Corps. It is one of the oldest, most successful organizations that our country takes pride in. Esprit de Corps is what stands out the most. It is what all the other branches lack. There were so many times while on Parris Island that I found myself in awe thinking about all of the Marines who have gone before me. Marines have dedicated their lives; they sacrifice and continuously train to complete the mission. Most important to me is the growth and success women have made since joining the Corps in 1918. It is an honor to carry on what those women started not that long ago.
A Molly Marine gives respect to get respect. She is positive and supportive on the good days and the bad. In every weakness she finds strength. It is about giving 100% at all times and leaving it all out on the line. There has to be responsibility and accountability. No one is perfect; it is the desire to seek self-improvement and better those around you that shows growth and maturity. Being elected Molly Marine is not the end; it is the beginning of striving to achieve all of the aforementioned qualities.
Being a recruit has been an invaluable experience. Through all of the holidays, all of the hurrying up to wait, and all of the aches and pains I would not trade this experience for anything. We have all felt tired, sore, and homesick, but through it all we found courage to get passed every obstacle. We learned how to dig deep and draw from each other. Some days are more difficult than others but we learned how to be unselfish and consider the person to our left and right. Often times there were fellow recruits feeling worse than myself, and I had to find strength to push on knowing that those recruits were still pushing on. This is the type of team I want to be part of and I am grateful for the opportunity to have become a United States Marine. A quote from Ralph W. Stockman sums everything up, “Let us not bankrupt our todays by paying interest on the regrets of yesterday and by borrowing in advance the troubles of tomorrow.”
PFC Jasmine D. Pickney
N Co, Plt 4003
22 January 2014
“Keep your eye on the prize and don’t ever look back.”
From the outside looking in, Marine Corps Recruit Training is just a series of challenging events over the course of three months to gain a title. While being here on Parris Island, I’ve been tested mentally, emotionally, and physically. With each day I’ve grown stronger and smarter.
Upon arriving at Parris Island, I was grouped with a bunch of strangers who all had one common goal, to become a Marine. This group of about eighty females intimidated me at first. I knew of the challenges that lay ahead of me, but I didn’t know how I would handle being surrounded by recruits just like myself, emotional and unaware. I was afraid, but as the days went by we grew closer. We embraced the journey, and as challenge after challenge kept presenting itself, we became sisters. With the motivation of my sisters and the demands of my drill instructors I’ve grown. My way of thinking and living has matured over the course of recruit training, because of the bonds that I have made here and the encouragement from my fellow recruits.
A Molly Marine is a woman who puts others before herself. She ensures that the needs of others always come first. She respects everyone without question. I’ve leaned on others and been leaned on. As the days of Recruit Training have progressed, I have made a conscious effort to always be there for my sisters when they need me and for my drill instructors when they demanded the best of me. To be chosen as the Molly Marine for Platoon 4003 is more than a title. It is by far the most humbling and honorable event that has occurred in my life. It will always hold meaning to me as I progress in my Marine Corps career. My drill instructors and my sisters will always hold a place in my heart, for they are the extra push to keep going. “Keep your eye on the prize and don’t you ever look back” is not just a quote or a phrase, but a state of mind and a way of life.
Being Molly Marine holds a great amount of significance to me because it means that my efforts to improve did not go unnoticed. To be Molly Marine proves that as a person, I’ve changed for the better. The title, Molly Marine, will follow a Marine for the remainder of her career and life. Upon acceptance of this award, I will always continue to uphold the ways and standards of living that I have learned here. I will continue to put my best into everything I am given to do, just as I will continue to put the needs of others first because the opportunity to be called a Molly Marine is not just given, it is earned.
