International Women's Day spotlight: Female Marines

In honor of International Women's Day, we wanted to shine the spotlight on some of the women who serve our country everyday: Female Marines.

The United States Marine Corps was founded in 1775 but women weren't eligible to enlist until 1918. Opha Mae Johnson would become the first official female Marine. At first, ladies were only able to hold clerical positions -- but in 1948 they became permanent fixtures thanks to the Women's Armed Services Integration Act. It wasn't until the Vietnam War in 1965 that the first woman was assigned to attache duty, and later became the first to serve under hostile attack.

As long as women have been a part of the Marine Corps, they have pushed boundaries to reach new heights and ranks within the military. These women fought tooth and nail to prove their worth and solidified themselves as a vital part of the Marines. They are now required to complete the same 29 day combat training as their male counterparts, which entails a final 54 hour exam called "The Crucible." Combat jobs require women to meet the same rigorous physical standards as men.

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Currently women make up approximately 7.11 percent of Marines according to the Women Marines Association. They serve in 93 percent of all occupations and in 62 percent of all non-military Marine housing.

We applaud these women for their bravery, heart, perseverance and dedication to their country.