Always Faithful

As butch-cut guys in camouflage fatigues went quietly about their business of protecting the free world, 19 young women waged a campaign of their own. Armed with ultimate-hold hair spray and nice posture, they gathered in a Camp Pendleton theater on a late-summer night in hopes of winning not only a rhinestone tiara but also respect for Marine wives everywhere.

Melanie Wallace, founder and director of the Ms. Semper Fi Pageant and founder of the Mom’s Club on base, had also hoped to recruit enlisted women for the pageant and placed an ad in the Pennysaver. Only one applied--despite the promise of no swimsuits or baton twirling. Instead, the contestants answered questions--”What’s the most interesting historical fact about Camp Pendleton?”--and modeled evening gowns, plus their own interpretations of “patriotic sportswear.” (An admonishment to mark down for excessive cleavage was overheard.)

Finally, with the piped-in “Titanic” songs exhausted, the judges, including base commander Maj. Gen. Edward Hanlon, declared a winner: Raquel Shoch. Three days later, the first ever Ms. Semper Fi (translation: Always Faithful) relinquished her title to runnerup Kelly Myers. Yet, in a way, the change fulfilled Wallace’s goal of dispelling the myth that Marine wives spend their days “on the couch eating bon bons.”

Raquel “just took a full-time job and she and her husband are buying a house,” Wallace explains. “She didn’t think she could make all the appearances.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

RAQUEL SHOCH

Marine wife stereotype: “That maybe she doesn’t have an identity of her own.” How I’d change the Corps: “Ensure equality, so that female Marines do the same as male Marines.” Want a husband with hair? “No. I like it short.”

*

MAILE WILLIAMS (Reigning Marine Rodeo Queen)

Marine wife stereotype: “That the wives cheat on their husbands.” How I’d change the Corps: “Update housing. And day care--make it more accessible.” Want a husband with hair? “Oh, no! We were on leave for a month and he grew it. I wanted to make him cut it.”

*

AUGUSTA PERRY

Marine wife stereotype: “That we’re lazy.” How I’d change the Corps: “I’d make it harder to purchase alcohol on base.” Want a husband with hair? “I’d like to see him grow a goatee.”

*

KELLY MYERS

Marine wife stereotype: “That they’re lazy.” How I’d change the Corps: “We need better housing.” Want a husband with hair? “He looks handsome as it is.”