In 1921 the Marines acknowledged Nov. 10, 1775, as the official date of its formation. Some argue, however, that the nation’s first leathernecks were “Gooch’s Marines” who fought decades earlier in 1740.

During an exclusive interview with Leatherneck in February, the newly elected lieutenant governor of Virginia, who served as an electrician in the Marine Corps from 1983 to 1986, discussed the qualities of leadership and self-discipline she learned during her service and continues to implement today.