Our Military’s Admixture of Members
February 12, 2003

L-R: CDR Emilio Marrero, CDR Chuck Roots, Sgt Chris Gowin, RP1 Bob Page, CAPT John Gwudz, and RP2 Donnell Stephens. [For further description, click here.]

While sitting in one of a number of weekly meetings, I was reflecting on the incredible diversity that exists within our military. If ever there was an equal opportunity employer, the U.S. military has set the standard.

I took note of the ethnic/gender representation around the table during our bi-weekly general's meeting. It looked more like a committee one might find at the United Nations. All members are senior ranking Marine officers with a couple of us who are Navy (doctor and chaplain). The colonel to my immediate right is a Dutch-American female. She’s the comptroller (she handles the money). Directly across from me is a colonel who is a German-American male, from Brooklyn — one of those folks who keeps the rest of us in stitches. I first met him in 1990 when we were both stationed in Rota, Spain. His wife is Filipino. As time permits, the three of us will get in a round of golf.

On the right of the German-American is an African-American male, a lieutenant colonel. To the left of the German-American is another colonel that is a Mexican-American male. To his left is a lieutenant colonel male that is Korean-American. And so it goes, not only around the command table, but throughout the Marine Corps and the military overall.

Among the Navy chaplains here at Camp Pendleton, my immediate boss, the I MEF Chaplain, is a Polish-American Catholic priest (read: male) who, when upset about something, is heard to say, “I’m getting my Polish up!” I’d heard this phrase before, but always attributing it to being Irish, not Polish. I also met another chaplain priest who is originally from Nigeria and is now a U.S. citizen.

Here’s another interesting cross-section to consider. I mentioned my Polish-American chaplain boss. Under his purview are the chaplains in three major commands: 1st Marine Division (1st MarDiv), 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG) and the 3rd Marine Air Wing (3rd MAW). The Command Chaplain for the 3rd MAW is an African-American male from the National Baptist Conference USA. His deputy is a German-American male, Lutheran-Missouri Synod. The Command Chaplain for the 1st FSSG is a French-American priest. His deputy is a Chinese-American male with the United Church of Christ. The Command Chaplain for the 1st MarDiv is a Mexican-American male with the Churches of Christ (Disciples of Christ). His deputy is an Irish-American male who is a United Methodist.

Now, in case you’re thinking, “With the exception of the comptroller, everyone is male,” let me remind you that the Marine Corps is a combat organization. It is often referred to as being the “pointy end of the spear.” An apt recruiting slogan that has defined the Corps for a long time is “First to Fight.” This being said, the Marines do not put women into combat roles. Women may serve in other capacities, and even be near the front, but they are not assigned combat billets.

Understanding this, you can see why chaplains and doctors, and any other Navy personnel that serve with Marine combat forces are male.

Admittedly, I revel in the multi-ethnicity and multi-culturalism firmly ensconced in the military. It’s enough to make any freedom loving, red-blooded American proud.

God bless America.

Let me explain the height differentials in the photo. Marrero, Gowin and Gwudz are standing on the raised brick area in front of the fireplace. Stephens, Page and I are standing on the floor. Page is 6'6" and Stephens is 6'4". On my good days, I'm 5'10"!