MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDELTON, Calif -- More than 200 female Marines attended the 65th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserves at the South Mesa Club Feb. 9.
Marine, past and present, came to celebrate the proud legacy of women who served in the Corps.
The event included a presentation of the colors by the Oceanside High Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, a cake-cutting ceremony and refreshments for the guests.
It was an opportunity for former Marines to see how the times have changed in the job fields and uniforms.
“I’m just in awe of what women are doing in the Marine Corps today,” said Ellie Judge, the first female sergeant major at Camp Pendleton. “We have women flying aircraft in Iraq, there are just so many different career paths available to them now.”
Even though the times have changed the roles of female Marines, former Marines remember the hardships they had to endure while in the Old Corps.
“I remember when women Marines could not rate BAQ (Basic Allowance for Quarters),” said retired Maj. Kathleen B. Ables, 63, Carlsbad, “Even if a woman was married, she wasn’t able to live off of base.”
Ables retired from the Corps almost 20 years ago and still has positive feelings about her experience.
“It was fun, I really enjoyed the time I spent here,” Ables said. “I’m happy that I was able be a part of this organization.”