Woman Marine - US Marine Corps Graduation

Excitement that last week of boot camp was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I knew I had made it. I survived. I was going to graduate with my platoon! Forms had been filled out to request your choices of duty stations and choices of assignments. The anticipation was overwhelming. And best of all, I would have 10-15 days to return home to say "see, I made it"! No one knew what the future held.

The day of graduation, parents and friends arrived for the ceremonies. My family could not attend. From each platoon, the drill instructors select the outstanding recruit to graduate with honors, a promotion to PFC and a dress blue uniform. I was stunned when my name was called for this award. We were also given our new assignments as squeals of delight and moans of disappointment were heard based on if you got your choice of assignment. My choice had been journalism and I had my fingers crossed to get stationed in Hawaii. I got neither. I would be going to Marine Corps Headquarters, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia to take up yet unknown clerical duties in Washington, DC.

That last night together was bittersweet. As we all packed to head for our respective homes around the country, we knew we would never forget this experience and the women we had bonded so closely with. Though we may have lost touch through the years, I know we think of each other often and wonder where the others are.

The following morning was filled with tears and hugs.. Even the drill instructors who were now our peers. Some left by car and others got back on the bus heading for the airport. Our careers as Women Marines was about to begin.

Graduation photo taken for Leatherneck Magazine. Mirror reflection. Yes, this hair-do is bizarre even for the 60's. But you kept it rolled tight and off your collar or faced an instant haircut with no mercy! Now they allow women to put longer hair into buns or french twists and they get to keep it! Sure beats looking like Bozo the Clown.