Face of Defense: Marine Sets Example for Other Women

Face of Defense ^ | Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington, USMC

[SandRat]

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., March 22, 2010 – When women were first allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps in the 1940s, they did not qualify with weapons and they were not required to learn hand-to-hand combat, but they received instruction on etiquette and how to wear makeup.

Marine Corps Cpl. Amy Gentry stands in her company's vehicle compound at Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 11, 2010. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Marine Corps Cpl. Amy Gentry is a prime example of how much life for women serving in the Marine Corps has changed. A fire team leader with 2nd Platoon, Military Police Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, Gentry has deployed twice to Iraq’s Anbar province.

She served solely as a heavy machine gunner from August 2007 to March 2008, and as a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle driver and heavy machine gunner from February to September in 2009.

Though the 23-year-old Marine is a combat veteran who loves to fire weapons and lead Marines, her quiet demeanor can fool people into thinking she is just a soft-spoken young lady.

Marine Corps Sgt. Brenden Colley, Gentry’s platoon sergeant, said that although she is not like the mostly rambunctious Marines in his platoon, he sees a lot of potential for her to develop into a strong leader.

"She has a very quiet confidence about her," he noted. "Because she is [so] competitive on paper, in competitions, and during deployments and field operations, we utilize her to guide new Marines when they check in."

Gentry volunteered to be a part of the regiment's team during the Camp Lejeune 2010 Intramural Small-Arms Competition early this month. She earned second place in the individual pistol competition and contributed to the team's overall second-place finish in the rifle competition and fourth-place pistol title. It was her first time participating in the competition.

Her passion for firing weapons was clear from the time she decided to forego college life and enlist in the Marine Corps.

"I've always loved the Marines, so when I did my research, I went to my recruiter and asked, 'What's going to let me shoot the most guns and deploy the most?'” she explained.

Gentry said she’ll pass on her deep affection for the Corps to her young Marines by continuing to lead by example.

"I want to make sure I take care of my Marines at all times and to teach them to stick to the basics,” she said. “Things like customs and courtesies, staying focused on completing the job and learning everything you can to be a better leader are things that I know will make them better leaders and, in turn, better Marines."

[Tax-chick]

Seaman Anoreth, my warrior goddess, says, “Hey, cool!”

[Candor7]

Thank you for your service , Cpl Gentry, and may you live long and prosper, and regale us with tales of your exploits!
Semper Fi!

[Jeff Gordon]

I have noticed a change in attitude by Freepers towards female warriors over the last decade.

[proudmilitarymrs]

Cpl. Gentry, thank you for your service. Please serve well and honorably and return safely to your family.

mrs

[Mr Rogers]

My attitude hasn’t changed. To know why, here is a story about my oldest daughter, that she told me about an incident that happened a few weeks after she became a Marine at Paris Island...

She went to visit her brother, who was in the Army. That evening, they were partying with friends, and she had too much to drink. Being a very fit 5’2” Marine, she challenged a 6 foot young Army soldier to a fight.

She said he laughed, picked her up with one hand, tossed her clear across the room onto a couch, and told her she was pretty.

Although drunk, she had just enough sense left to accept the compliment and be friends instead of continuing the ‘fight’. She also said that was the moment she decided women shouldn’t be in front-line combat units. She deployed to Iraq, did aircraft maintenance, and is now a civilian married to an ex-Marine infantryman.

She still believes the average female, no matter her level of fitness, shouldn’t be in front-line combat units. Why? Because there are too many 6 foot men who are much stronger, and sometimes you NEED every ounce of physical strength - and if you don’t have enough, you are the weak link.

[Tax-chick]

I have noticed a change in attitude by Freepers towards female warriors over the last decade.

I still don't like the concept, but I have the greatest respect for military women who are getting the job done.

When you've got a girl who wants to get on the front lines and do something drastic, no amount of theorizing is going to make a difference. Anoreth joined the Coast Guard because it seemed like her best chance of seeing action - especially since everyday ops in the Pacific on a cutter are enough action for the average gung-ho teen, even if they don't have pirates or something fun.

[SandRat]

As have I for the good; with the exception of women on submarines.

[A.A. Cunningham]

[Mr Rogers]

Hmmm...P-a-r-R!-i-s, not Paris.

Guess that’s why she didn’t have fun there...and it would explain the missing Eiffel Tower!

[Jeff Gordon]

"with the exception of women on submarines"

http://www.subsim.com/new_york_times_sub_article.htm

[NTHockey]

Man, what happened when I wasn’t looking? BAMs have turned into foxes.

[NucSubs]

Wisdom, most likely wasted

[NucSubs]

Not this FREeeper, not when it comes to anything close to combat related duty. If anything, I am more against it.

[Jeff Gordon]

Thank you for your service.

[Jeff Gordon]

I noticed that you served on the NR-1. You must be a pretty sharp sailor. I recently read "Dark Waters." It is quite a story. I salute you.

I have also read Craven's book, "The Silent War" which had a lot interesting stories about the NR-1.

[NucSubs]

Not at all.

[NucSubs]

I’m actually unfamiliar with either book. Odd.

[Jeff Gordon]

Dark Waters is a must read. It is the personal account the NR-1 Plank Owners.

[Jeff Gordon]

Dark Waters is a must read. It is the personal account the NR-1 Plank Owners.