The Veteran Thread

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by Nadeest

I had an interesting time, tonight at Golden Corral. They had seated a fellow Marine and his partner with my friend and I, and during the convo, he asked me where I did my boot camp at. Either he wasn't paying attention, or I looked rather male to him, as I told him that I did my boot camp at MCRD San Diego. What is funny, for all the non-Marines out there, reading this, is that Women Marines are only given their basic training (boot camp) at MRCD Parris Island. Fortunately, nothing bad happened, and he did not say a word about it, to me.

Heh.....I got a chuckle out of that!!! You know, since my own transition, it's been up to me, pretty much, to reveal that I once served as a Woman Marine, but that's something I'm pretty proud of. Every great once in awhile, when I'm at work (I work with Veterans, as you know), there might be someone (a patient) I'll "out" myself to, but it's always been in the spirit of pride and also a bit of trust in the person I'm revealing myself to. Veterans, as a group, tend to be on the "conservative" side, so I generally don't take the chance that my revelation will be met with a positive response unless the conversation comes up and I've had quite a bit of interaction with a patient and I get the feeling that they are more liberal-minded than not.

I do understand and have also experienced that bit of nervousness that you have probably also gotten in some situations, though. The Marine Corps has always had the reputation of being an "ol' boys' club, a "man's world" and "no place for a woman". If women served in the Marine Corps in years gone by, they were assumed by society (and male Marines) to be whores, lesbians or "out to get a husband". I think that's changing, though, as attitudes change, however slowly, and women begin to take on more roles (combat related, mostly) in the Marine Corps. As for me, well, I've gotten remarks like "You're proof that the Marine Corps can make a man out of anyone.", to which I respond with, "Yep, and a better man out of some than others". I seriously and profoundly admire your courage and spirit in being who you are while still maintaining such remarkable pride in the uniform that you served in. I'm proud to be your brother.

I know what you're talking about, though, and that certain "questioning" or period of apprehension that people like you and me go through when confronted with some aspects of our past. I'm a Lifetime Member of the Woman Marines Association, and I'd love to go to one of their national conventions, which are held each year, and serve to bring Women Marines of all generations together. I'd love to go, but I won't. I'm kind of ashamed to say that I don't have the courage to go, at this point in time (). I'm working it up, though. I'll go to one, one of these days.

Anyway, all that said, I want to assure you that I'm very proud to share The Title and the legacy with you. After all, you're the one who made it up "Mount M*therF*cker", not me!!!!!

My hat's off to you!!!

Semper Fi,

~Theo~