Women Warriors: 'These Girls are 100 Percent Marine'
 

Women Warriors: 'These Girls are 100 Percent Marine'
by Sgt. Joe Lindsay
Marine Corps News
March 17, 2003

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Since 1918, women have claimed the title United States Marine, and have played significant roles throughout our Corps' history.

As in the past, women are continuing to demonstrate their ability to meet any challenges that come their way, and are helping to shape the future of the Marine Corps.)

The role of women in the Marine Corps all began on Aug. 13, 1918, when Opha Mae Johnson enlisted as a private.

Since that time, the role of women in the Marine Corps has continued to grow, and they now serve alongside men in 93 percent of all occupational fields.

There was a time, though, when many probably felt that would never happen.

Following Johnson into the Marine Corps were 304 other women, who served as reservists under the World War I recruiting campaign of "Free a Marine to fight."

These women were not referred to as Marines, but rather as "Marionettes," and they did not attend boot camp.

All Marionettes served in clerical capacities, and less than a year after joining, though they had served with distinction, all women were discharged from the Corps.

It wasn't until November 1942 that women were once again permitted to join the Marines.

The first enlisted class of 722 women completed training at Hunter College, N.Y., on April 25, 1943, and the first officer class of 75 women finished their training at Mount Holyoke College, Mass., on May 11, 1943.

Women have continuously served with the Marine Corps since then, and they have definitely come a long way since the early days when only clerical jobs were open to them.

In the Vietnam War, women Marines served in combat zones for the first time, and in the 1970s women Marines were assigned to Fleet Marine Force units for the first time.

The 1990s brought even more responsibilities and changes for women Marines, including the flying of combat aircraft.

Approximately 1,000 women Marines served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, which saw Brig. Gen. Carol Mutter become the first woman of any service to take command of a major operationally deployable unit.

Mutter later went on to become the first woman Marine lieutenant general in 1996.

Today women Marines undergo the same training as their male counterparts at boot camp, and make up over five percent of all active duty enlisted personnel and over four percent of all Marine officers.

Women are no longer referred to as Marionettes, and though 93 percent of all occupational fields are open to them, women are definitely 100 percent Marine.

(Editor's Note: March is Women's History Month, a time designated to honor and celebrate the contributions of women to our nation.

Sempers,

Roger



http://www.military.com/pics/usmc2_031703.jpg
A Molly Marine statue now stands outside of the Marine Corps Research Center at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Ouantico's Molly Marine statue is a bronze replica of the original, which stands on the corner of Elk and Canal streets in New Orleans. The Molly Marine statue is an enduring symbol of the sacrifices women have made to earn the title Marine. Photo by: Steve Bonstedt