"They Are Just Marines" the Women's Marine Corps Reserve

The phrase "They are just Marines" is a powerful reflection of how the women who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II (WWII), were seen-especially by those who believed in thier equality and contribution to the war effort.  It underscores the idea that female Marine's shouldn't be set apart by gender - they earned the title of Marine, and that alone should define them. 

During WWII, the MCWR was established in February 1943.  More than 20,000 women enlisted to "Free a Marine to Fight", taking over stateside duties so that men could be deployed to combat zones.  These women served in over 200 different roles - from clerical work to mechanics and aviation positions.  

The phrase "they are just Marines" gained prominence from General Thomas Holcomb, Commandant of the Marine Corps at the time.  Initially resistant to the idea of women in the Corps, he eventually changed his stance and declared:  "They are Marines.  They don't have a nickname, and they don't need one.  They get their basic training in a Marine atmosphere, in a Marine way by Marines.  The Marine Corps is proud to have them.  They are Marines"

That declaration was a turning point in legitimizing women's roles in the Corps - not as auxiliaries or lesser contributors, but as Marines in every sense of the word.