I was born on 12 June 1957 in Mt Pleasant, PA. I was number two of five children from Joseph and Carolyn Schmuck. I grew up in Scottdale, PA and on 19 June 1975 I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I left for Recruit Training 22 Oct 1975 and graduated 19 Dec 1975.

After Recruit Training I was sent to Legal Specialist School in CA. For the next ten years I was a Legal Specialist, going from PFC to SSgt. My duties stations during this time were HQMC, 1stMarDiv CamPen, TBS Quantico, 3rdMAW Okinawa and 2ndFSSG Camp Lejeune. In Jan 1985 with over three years time in grade as a SSgt I went to Recruiter School, then to Recruiting Station Philadelphia, PA, where I was meritorious promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on 2 Oct 1987.

I left Recruiting in April of 1988 and reported to Parris Island as their Legal Chief. After 14 months I reported to Drill Instructor School, graduating and reporting to 4th Recruit Training, I became a Senior Drill Instructor on my second platoon and three platoons later I was a Series Gunnery Sergeant. Upon completion of my DI tour I reported to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA for duty as the Legal Assistance Chief. This tour was very exciting for me; I turned a nonproductive office into a well running professional office where they would send all the new 1stLt to be trained by the Gunny. I received my first Navy Marine Corps Commendation medal for taking care of 66,000 clients in a 23 month period.

I was heading back to Parris Island for my second tour as a Drill Instructor; I challenged the course and graduated in 14 days vice the normal 11 weeks. I stepped right into the Series Gunnery Sergeant position and held the Company Chief Drill Instructor. In Jan 1994 I was selected from a board of 6 SgtsMaj and 1 MSgt as the First Female Regimental Drill Master in Marine Corps history. I held this position until I was promoted to First Sergeant in July 1994; where I returned to November Company 4th Recruit Battalion. I received my second Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal upon the completion of this tour.

Back to Okinawa for a year then back to 2nd FSSG, where in Nov of 1996 as a First Sergeant I was given 2nd MedBn, the first female to take this battalion. After 13 months and selection to SgtMaj I was moved to 2nd Maintenance Battalion, one of the largest battalion at Camp Lejeune and again I was the first female to take the battalion.

In 1999 I was called back to recruiting, leaving 2nd Maintenance Battalion; I received a Meritorious Service Medal. While on recruiting I assisted Recruiting Station Lancing Michigan from number 28 to number 2 in the nation in 2002, we never missed mission and normally over wrote contracts by at least 15 contracts.

Leaving recruiting, I was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 14, Cherry Point, NC, one more time being the first female to take a MAG, the largest MAG in the Marine Corps with 4000 Marines. We deployed over 2000 Marines to Iraq in March 2003. After only 8 months I was transferred to Marine Corps Mobilization Command in Kansas City, MO.

I was responsible for over 50,000 Marine Reservist, handling their professional and personal problems. I retired 31 January 2005 after 29 years plus of honorable service, receiving a Legit of Merit.

My awards are 1 Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal 5 Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, Legit of Merit Medal, 9 Good Conduct Medals and 2 National Defense Medal.

I have one son, Duane.

I am presently a Life Member of the Woman Marine Association, a Member of the Marine Corps League, a Member of the Voices of Veterans, and a Member of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. I work as a preschool teacher at Hampton Methodist Church three days a week and at the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation three days a week. I recently received my BA in Business Management in June 2005. I believe in two things, moving forward and continuous learning.