My aunt (by marriage) was a Marine during WWII.She died about 10 years ago and,at her wake,I was surprised (and impressed) to see two female Marines,seeming to be about the same age as my aunt,standing as honor guards at her casket.Of course they were in full dress uniform...not the blue uniforms,I think they were manly red.
That was my first "up close and personal" exposure to the Marines' comradeship.