Approximately 525 women entered every 2 weeks for courses that averaged about 4 weeks 1943 - First class of enlisted graduated and report to active duty.1943 - First class of 722 enlisted Women Reserves.1943 - First class of 71 officer candidates.1943 - Pvt Lucille McClarren first enlisted woman.1943 - Captain Anne Lentz, first commissioned officer.1943 - Colonel Ruth Cheney Streeter becomes the first Director of Women Marine Reservists.1942 - Approval by Commandant Lt General Thomas Holcomb for the formation of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve.1942 - Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox authorized the Marine Corps to create a Women's Reserve and accept women applicants for commissions and enlistments.1918 - Pvt Opha Mae Johnson becomes the first woman to enlist in the Marine Corps.There are undoubtedly many more accomplishments to come as the female Marines of today will continue to build upon the foundation and legacy of Marines that came before them.Ĭlick here to earn more about women Marine history. Let's celebrate the fewer and the prouder! The history of women in the Marine Corps is full of broken barriers and major accomplishments. The year 2018 marked the centennial of women in the Corps. Also, Chief Warrant Officer Roxanne Conrad (Ret.) was the first woman ever to earn the International Distinguished Shooting Badge which is the highest shooting badge a Marine can wear out of the 52 shooting badges authorized for wear in uniform. She also won the NRA Service Rifle Championships three times while on active duty, and is currently the only woman to have won the competition. Sergeant Julia Watson, in 1998, became the first and only woman to win the National Individual Trophy (Daniel Boone Trophy) for rifle marksmanship since the competition began in 1902. In the last five years alone female Marines have attended infantry training, both enlisted and officers, and have attended the School of Infantry on the west coast for the first time ever.įemale Marines are continuing to represent the Marine Corps and have great success even after their active duty service has come to an end. There are approximately 14,000 female Marines which makes up about 7% of all Marines today. Although there are more opportunities, women still make up a very small percentage of these jobs, as well as the Marine Corps as a whole. The Marine Corps has opened up all combat arms career fields to women. A year later Bertha Peters Billeb became the first female Marine to be promoted to E-9, Sergeant Major.įemale Marines are seeing their roles expand much more recently. Moran became the first female Marine promoted to E-9, Master Gunnery Sergeant. In 1953, Ruth Wood and Lillian Hartley were the first women to enter the warrant officer program. There have been many high ranking female Marines over the years but there are a few that stand out specifically. High levels of leadership are not uncommon for female Marines throughout history. In 1965, Rose Franco became the first Hispanic woman to be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer. Both women reported to Parris Island on Septemand went through boot camp together and were eventually stationed together at Headquarters Marine Corps. Graham of Detroit, Michigan was the first to enlist and the next day in New York City, Anne E. In 1949 the first African-American woman enlisted in the Marine Corps. In 1953 Staff Sergeant Barbara Olive Barnwell became the first female to be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal for saving a fellow Marine from drowning in the Atlantic Ocean in 1952. Women in the Marine Corps are not only known for the barriers they broke down, but also for acts of bravery. Colonel Ruth Cheney Streeter was named the first Director of Women Marine Reservists. In October of 1942, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the Marine Corps to create a Women's Reserve and accept applicants for commissions and enlistments. Since then there have been numerous events to occur that show the importance of women in the Marine Corps. One major milestone came in 1918 when Opha Mae Johnson became the first female to enlist in the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has a long and storied past with many milestones along the way.
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