Photo Information

2nd Lieutenant Esmeralda Rojas poses with her parents after being commissioned, November 16, 2019, at Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia. Rojas was given a second chance at Officer Candidates School to earn the title and commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. (Courtesy Photo)

Photo by Sgt. Bernadette Plouffe

A second chance at earning the title

22 Jul 2020 | Sgt. Bernadette Plouffe 12th Marine Corps District

Esmeralda Rojas, a native of Bakersfield, California, commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps on November 16, at Marine Corps Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia.

Rojas was attending the University of California San Diego, preparing for a career in economics, when her plans changed.

Her brothers inspired her to earn the title of United States Marine, Rojas stated.

“My younger brother is a lance corporal and my older brother is a staff sergeant,” said Rojas. “I saw the transformation they went through, and everything the Corps’ had done for them and I wanted to be a part of it.”

She left in September of 2018 to start her journey to become a Marine Corps Officer. OCS is a 10-week course that will prepare the future leaders of the Marine Corps and evaluate them on academics, leadership, and physical fitness prior to their commission.

Historically, OCS has a 20-25% attrition rate, according to Capt. Steven Wagner, the Marine Corps Officer Selection Officer for Recruiting Station San Diego.

“You can be dropped from OCS for a number of reasons,” said Wagner. “When dropped, the CO makes a decision on whether you have the option to reapply to another class. Typically 75% of the people dropped have the option to reapply. The success rate for someone who reapplies is not very high though, it’s around 40-50%.”

Rojas was dropped on the final board during week 9, just three days before receiving her Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

She was devastated, stated Rojas. Although she improved throughout the 9 weeks, she was slightly below standards in each of the evaluated categories.

“Everything happens for a reason,” said Rojas. “I was devastated but then I realized I wouldn’t have been ready, and it wouldn’t have been fair to the Marines. I don’t think I would have been a good leader that the Marines deserved.”

Her heart was still in it though, stated Rojas. She fell down, but knew she could get back up and was more determined than ever to go back and earn the title.

“I knew what they expected, and I knew that I needed to work to not only meet those expectations but exceed them,” said Rojas.

Rojas trained alongside other candidates at the RS San Diego OSO to earn a second chance.

Wagner was determined to see her succeed, he stated. He made her the platoon commander to help with her leadership abilities, confidence, and physical fitness. Rojas left for OCS for the second time in September of 2019.

“There were no doubts that she was going to be successful this time,” said Wagner. “She worked with us for an entire year to make sure this time counted.”

Rojas said she was better prepared overall. She was more physically fit and more confident in herself and her abilities. During her role as a leader among her peers she was able to reflect on what earning the title meant.

“Being dropped at week 9 and having that board make the decision that I wasn’t ready enough reinforced the idea that the title is earned and never given,” said Rojas. “I took that with me for sure. I had to go earn this and I knew it was not going to be given to me, and you earn something by putting your best foot forward and putting in the time and effort. Heart can only get you so far but you need to put in the hard work to earn it.”

On November 16 Rojas was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Her parents proudly pinned on her gold bars, while her older brother saluted her for the first time.

“It was a very nerve racking, exciting and surreal moment,” said Rojas. “The journey to get there was a long one but it was well worth it.”


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