When I first stepped off that bus at Parris Island, it was pitch black. The air was heavy, thick with humidity and tension. I remember that moment vividly—the silence before the storm. And then, in an instant, chaos erupted. The yelling, the barking of orders, the rush of adrenaline.
That was my introduction to Marine Corps Bootcamp, Parris Island. I heard the rumors. My father was a Marine in the Pacific Campaign in WWII, so he tolld me stories.
It felt like being thrown straight into the fire.
But here’s what I didn’t understand then:
>They weren’t trying to break me.
>They were trying to mold me.
The screaming, the endless drills, the sleepless nights—it all had a purpose. It was about removing the old programming, stripping away everything that no longer served me, and rebuilding me from the ground up.
In those 13 weeks, I learned something that would change my life forever:
> Before you can be transformed, you must first be willing to let go of who you were.
That lesson didn’t just shape me as a Marine—it became the foundation that carried me through my most personal transformation years later: my transition to living as a transgender woman.
Transitioning has been another kind of bootcamp—one that doesn’t end after 13 weeks.
It’s a daily test of strength, courage, and faith.
It’s about facing judgment, misunderstanding, and fear—and choosing to stand tall anyway.
There were days I questioned everything. Days where the emotional weight felt heavier than any rucksack I ever carried. But just like in the Corps, I leaned on discipline, focus, and resilience. I reminded myself:
> Don’t let anyone psyche you out.
> Stay on mission.
> Remember your purpose.
Because just like at Parris Island, I was being rebuilt—this time, not into a Marine, but into my most authentic self.
The Marine Corps taught me to endure, to adapt, and to overcome. Those same lessons became my lifeline during transition. They helped me find strength in vulnerability, grace in growth, and pride in authenticity.
I became unflinching in adversity, misgendering, and fear of what other people think about me.
Today, I carry both journeys with deep gratitude. I am proud to be a Marine. I am proud to be a woman. And I am proud of every version of myself that got me here. I embrace it all because they are all part of what makes me the unique unicorn I am.
Life will always challenge us, test us, and demand that we evolve. The key is to remember that every challenge has a purpose—and that purpose is to bring you closer to who you’re meant to be.
Semper Fi. Always faithful—to the mission, to growth, and to myself.
Are you former military and searching for your true self? Id love to heat about it
Dr. Gwen Patrone
#USMC #TransgenderPride #SemperFi #Authenticity #Resilience #TransitionJourney #Purpose #MarineVeteran #GrowthMindset #BecomingWhoYouAre
One Response
Gwen,
The basic ethos you took with you to Parris Island was you chose to find the means to defend your country . I wonder if the basic training didn’t transform or reprogram you as much as finding your weaknesses and and strengthened them to become a more reslient rounded person .
I was not in the military but my school ran a very tight ship with cadet training , many schools similar to mine were the basis of cadets for officer training . I never regret joining , I learned so many skills , I learned how to take orders and how to give them , we need the ability to understand disipline , then we realise another person may have to depand on you and you on them for survival . The great bonus for me was learning how to shoot , I achieved marksman grade in .22 , .303 , bren gun and browning pistol . I still think with some amusement when we struggled to place the large targets in the frames thinking I can’t miss !! 500 yards away your thumb covers the whole target , it’s quite a thrill when the target marker points out another bullseye . ( We never used telescopic sights in competions only open match sights )
My school moved on like most and now they have both genders in the cadet cores , shame the uniforms are unisex !
At times we do need to experience hardship and tough discipline , it’s part of growing up and learning how to deal with situations , to learn our strengths and know how to use them also when to back away when the odds are stacked against us .
One thing you didn’t list in acquired qualities was humour , humour more than anything has helped me through my life , some might say it’s a British thing , we easily laugh at ourselves . I’m terrible a telling jokes but I can always find a quick response to most situations , in that respect people don’t frighten me . My father always said I’d make a good lawyer because I always had an answer !
Again we can have these conversation about life because of hindsight , at the time did you ever feel you would finish you 13 weeks of training . Did you ever feel you would recover from being seen for the first time dressed , how time stands still for those few moments while no one speaks !! The times we vowed never to do it again .