Kathryn Muehlstein, 22, epitomizes ambition: she's a dedicated athlete, running roughly 6 miles a day; she graduated a semester early from the University of North Texas with degrees in speech communication and Italian; and she recently became a commissioned officer for the United States Marine Corps.
"I graduated from college and got my commission the same day," Kat said. "I walked across the stage, got my diploma and kept walking straight out the back of the coliseum. I met family and friends underneath the flagpole where I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. It was the best day of my life."
Darlene Chapman |
Kat received her diploma from the University of North Texas the same day she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant for the United States Marine Corps.
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A family thing
Kat was only 17 when she made up her mind to join the military. She was drawn to the Corps for several reasons, namely her grandfather, who was a colonel during Vietnam.
"I remember he carried himself differently than other men — more dignified and professional. I want people to look up to me like they did my grandfather," Kat said. "Plus, the Marine Corps has a reputation for being the best, most elite branch in the armed forces. I want to be the best."
As a female Marine, Kat will join the ranks of a small minority. According to the Marine Corps Web site, women make up 6 percent of the total force.
Boot camp
Kat spent a year in the Delayed Entry Program training and mentally preparing for the inevitable: boot camp. Despite the initial culture shock of constant yelling and moving from one drill to the next, she learned how to manage herself in a chaotic environment and thought it was an overall great experience.
"No Hollywood movie could prepare you for the intensity of it. Boot camp was a LOT harder than I could have ever imagined, but I'd go back in a heartbeat," Kat said. "I discovered new things about myself. I know how far I can push myself now — it's an awesome rush."
Once she completed boot camp, Kat got busy working toward her degree at UNT while getting on-the-job training as part of the marine air control squadron in Fort Worth. She spent two six-week sessions at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va., where she was evaluated for her leadership potential and pushed harder than she was pushed at boot camp. Quite naturally, she excelled.
Getting her Basics
Up next for Kat is a six-month stay at Basic School in Quantico where she will be trained extensively on weapons, tactics and protocol, and a she will be named to a military occupation.
"Basic School will train me how to command a rifle platoon, which will be pretty intense. But what I'm looking forward to is choosing my job," she said. "I really want to work in public affairs. I love talking and interacting with people, and because some people have mixed feelings about the Marine Corps, or military in general, I want to help portray the Corps in a positive light."
One day ... Iraq
Of all of her amazing accomplishments so far, there's still something missing for Kat.
"From an outsider's perspective, it may seem like I've accomplished a lot for a 22-year-old. And maybe I have," she said. "But I still haven't gone to Iraq. I envy those that have gone, because it's like a right of passage. It would make me a better Marine ... and I'm ready to fight for what's right."
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A few good women
Women have answered the call to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps since 1918. Here's a brief look at some events that impacted their roles in today's military.
1918 - The Marine Corps uses the slogan "Free a man to fight!" as its doors opened to women reservists to perform clerical duties
1918 - Opha Mae Johnson becomes the first official women to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve
1943 - Captain Anne Lentz is the first commissioned officer
1950 - Women Reservists are mobilized for the Korean War, with a "W" placed before their serial numbers
1965 - The Corps opens career-type training programs for women officers and advanced technical training to enlisted women
1967 - Master Sgt. Barbara J. Dulinsky became the first woman ordered to a combat zone in Vietnam
1975 - The Corps invites women to all occupational fields except artillery, infantry, armor and air crew
1978 - Col. Margaret A. Brewer is the first woman Marine general officer
1985 - A board selects the first woman to become brigadier general, Gail M. Reals
1992 - Brigadier General Carol A. Mutter assumes command of a Fleet Marine Force unit
1993 - The Marine Corps opens pilot positions for women
1997 - The first group of women Marines complete male/female Marine Combat Training Course
Today - Women serve in 93 percent of all occupational fields and 62 percent of all billets, and constitute about 6 percent of the Corps
www.womenmarines.org
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