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Latina Letters
From the Front!
When I was in
college I never
dreamed of being
26 and having
already traveled
to South Korea,
Japan, China,
Thailand and
Iraq but here I
am. I was on my
college campus
at Nassau County
Community
College in Long
Island, New York
when I was
approached by a
Marine Corps
Lieutenant. He
told me about
the Marine Corps
and asked me to
come to the
Officer
Selection Office
to hear more
about the
program. I
agreed to go to
the office and
now I have a BA
in psychology
and I am a 1st
Lieutenant,
Military Police
Officer in the
United States
Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps
assigned me to
Okinawa, Japan
for my first
duty station,
and in August
2007 I was
deployed to Iraq.
Before deploying
I returned to
New York to
visit friends
and family. I
visited with my
grandmother
Louise who is a
Mexican American,
I remember our
visit vividly,
she walked me
down the street
and had me knock
on the
neighbor’s doors
to inform them
that I would be
deploying soon.
I remember
thinking “wow
this is old
fashion” but she
was very proud
of me and she
was naturally
nervous for me.
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1stLt Bernstein
(far right) with
Japanese
Security Guards
that work with
the Military
Police in
Okinawa, Japan |
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When I left for Iraq I
had no idea that I would
soon be known as “Madame
Marine.” I served as the
Security Company,
Operations Officer for
Combat Logistics
Battalion 4. Upon
arrival to Iraq my
Company quickly became
assigned to combat
support missions and
continuous training,
including live fire
ranges. My Marines were
extremely busy every
single day and we
quickly formed a strong
sense of camaraderie.
After a few months in
our deployment, the
Battalion was offered
the opportunity to send
a female Marine Officer
to work as the platoon
commander for the
Lioness Program under
Regimental Combat Team
5. The Lioness Program
places female Marines
and Sailors at the
vehicle and entry
control points in Iraq
to search the female
Iraqi’s that passed
through.
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Several
Lioness
Marines
during
February's
travels |
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1stLt
Bernstein
holding
formation
to
promote
Sgt
Gregory
to SSgt
Sergeant |
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When my Battalion
Executive Officer, Major
Kenneth Quiner offered
the job to me and I
accepted, I embarked on
my journey to Haditha
City in February 2008,
after completing
training with my platoon
of 22 Marine and Sailors.
The Lioness were placed
at different entry
control points
throughout Iraq’s Al
Anbar Province and they
lived at the nearby
camps. My job was to
travel to the different
camps to ensure that the
Lioness Marines and
Sailors maintained their
high morale, they wore
their protective gear,
followed search
procedures and stayed
informed of the enemies
changing tactics. The 22
female Marines and
Sailors embraced their
job and quickly learned
about the Iraqi culture.
They also made an effort
to study and learn the
Arab language.
When the children and
women would come to our
search points the
children would scream in
joy “Madame Marine,
Madame Marine.” We were
overwhelmed with the
excitement the Iraqi
children showed us. They
would accept candy from
us and even give us
chocolate in return. The
Lioness also had an
opportunity to provide
the children with
hygiene products and
some school supplies.
They proved to
understand the concept
of “winning the hearts
and minds” and they were
able to reach the
children and women of
Iraq during their tour
with the Lioness Program.
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Gy Sgt
Fulgencio
(on left),
Iraq
woman
and
child,
1stLt
Bernstein
(on
right) |
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1stLt
Bernstein
with the
Commandant
of the
United
States
Marines
Corps |
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I
was torn when I departed
my Lioness platoon but I
received a warm welcome
back at my Company. I
returned to Security
Company at the beginning
of March, they were
conducting a turnover
with our replacements.
Soon after my return we
packed our bags to
return to Okinawa, Japan.
I was ready to go home
and let my hair down,
literally! I couldn’t
have asked to work with
a more courageous and
intelligent Company of
Marines but I have no
regrets about leaving
them to serve with the
Lioness Program during
the month of February.
I
believe I have been
given one of the best
opportunities in the
world. I am able to lead
Marines, just like
President Ronald Reagan
once said “Some people
spend an entire lifetime
wondering if they made a
difference. The Marines
do not have that problem.”
Female Latinas have
countless opportunities
to serve as leaders and
advance their education
in today’s military. I
cannot express how
rewarding my military
service feels.
By
1st Lt Bessie Louise
Bernstein, USMC |
