MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The first female Marine to train at the depot recently began her recruit training with Company G -- and she's getting star treatment. The Texas native has her own billeting, specially ordered uniforms and a personal..uh..veterinarian.
The female recruit is Recruit Molly, a five-month-old female English Bulldog who will serve as the depot's mascot once she has completed recruit training.
The command is willing to put the time, money and effort into the mascot because of the benefits reaped in recruiting and community relations, according to 2nd Lt. Beatriz Yarrish, media officer, Public Affairs Office.
Molly was selected because of her temperment, according to her breeder, Nancy Biddy, Jefferson, Texas. It is important that a dog performing the duties of a mascot be amiable and open to meeting lots of strangers.
As the depot mascot, Molly is expected to appear at recruit graduations and morning colors ceremonies. She also assists area recruiters by attending recruiting events and representing the Marine Corps at Military Appreciation Days held by the San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padres.
Like all Marines, Molly must complete boot camp before she can officially represent the Marine Corps and tend to her duties as the Depot mascot. Her journey to the Eagle, Globe and Anchor began as it does for all future Marines -- almost. She took her first steps toward the title at receiving barracks, but not on the yellow footprints. Molly stepped into boot camp on the yellow pawprints.
"Every Marine has to earn the title Marine," said Gunnery Sgt. Dale C. Lasonde when asked about the significance of sending a mascot through boot camp. "Being that she will be representing every Marine on the depot it is only fitting that she goes through the same right of passage."
Drill instructors from Receiving Company didn't back down under the soft-eyed gaze or the pouty under bite. Cute puppy or not, the drill instructors were all business.
"We play along because it's a good tension breaker," said Sgt. Jacob Slechta, senior drill instructor, Platoon 2103, Company G. "It gives us a good laugh and brings us back to the reality of things - we are human beings too."
Molly was introduced to her training company drill instructors shortly after she passed a modified version of the Initial Strength Test.
After meeting the first (and only) female recruit he will train, Slechta added that having a "cute little dog" associated with drill instructors is reassuring to those parents who have a son or daughter in recruit training.
"Molly is great for PR (public relations) for the civilian world and the depot," Slechta said. "When they see DIs acting in a friendly and human way it eases their fears or doubts about the depot and the Marine Corps."
Having Molly around not only benefits the depot and the Corps, it adds to the boot camp experience of Company G recruits.
"The recruits are learning about Marine Corps history and the mascot," Lasonde said. "When they see Molly these lessons become a reality."
Molly and the rest of Company G are slated to complete training Oct. 11. After her graduation, Molly will wave goodbye as her boot camp buddies move on to follow-on training.
She will call the depot home as long as it is good for her and the Marine Corps.