Gina Pollut

I grew up in Palisades Park, NJ and Marblehead, MA. August 16th, 1989, I raised my right hand to enlist in the delayed entry program for the Marine Corps, after having visited a recruiter to ask if women were “allowed” to be Marines! I earned the title Marine Jan. 19th, 1989 and went to Camp Johnson to complete MOS school for 3531 Motor Transport Operator. Trained in operating the newly utilized Humvee, 1 ¼ Ton and 5 Ton trucks which I loved!!

Fast forward about 30 years and I attended a POW/MIA Ceremony at Bergen County’s offices and I spied a grey haired woman with a gold EGA on her red cover in a detail, the first woman Marine I’d ever met since 1989 when I left the Corps. That Marine was Patricia Korczak and she told me about the Gooney Birds and I was hooked!

I worked for Catholic Charities Veteran Services as an outreach worker, identifying and assisting homeless veterans and at-risk veterans with services they desperately needed. That work brought me in contact with many in the veteran space of service providers, politicians, and of course veterans.

I was appointed as detachment service officer due to my knowledge and commitment in 2017, and in December of that year I also was voted as Jr. Vice Commandant both positions I’m proud to serve in.

Semper Fi~