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Marine recruits leaving for training, November 29, 1943. During the First and Second World Wars, women, as well as men, answered their country’s call to serve. Women were first allowed to join the Marine Corps as “Marinettes” in 1918 under the auspicious recruiting cry “Free a man to fight!” The women took over desk jobs such as stenographer, and file clerk, which allowed the men to move to the front lines. In 1943 the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was formed, which allowed women in to occupations such as mechanics, aerial photography, welding and air traffic control. Reservist branches played an important role in the war effort, helping to effectively run the day-to- day operations at home and abroad. |
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