How I Got Here: Sgt.Maj. Fortner

Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner left New York City to pursue a life of purpose and challenge in the Marine Corps. Throughout her career, she pushed to shatter stereotypes of her gender and achieve more than what others expected.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

04.08.2014

Courtesy Story

Defense Media Activity - Marines

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -When all of her friends were applying for college, a kid from the streets of New York City walked into a Marine Corps recruiter’s office for a different life.

Twenty-four years later, she is the sergeant major of 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Here we borrow fragments of Sgt. Maj. Fortner’s career from being a mother in the Marine Corps to being the sergeant major of a brand new battalion.

I was 17 years old in 1990 when I joined. I stood on the yellow footprints in August and my birthday didn’t come until September. I actually turned 18 in boot camp.

I am the only Marine in my family and the only female to join the military at all. So I’m definitely not following the norm.

I didn’t join to stay for 20. Four years was it. I would do four and then go back home. New York City was in my blood.

I had to learn how to be a Marine first. When I first joined, I still had a lot of civilian “street” in me, if you will.

There was a female sergeant and if it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where my mindset may have gone. It didn’t take long for it to click and I found I enjoyed being a Marine.

I had my firstborn during my first enlistment. No regrets at all. It’s possible to have a child early and continue on, but my life definitely took a turn.

When I first got pregnant I said I would not let my pregnancy limit me. I knew I would have to work even harder at being a great mother for my daughter while balancing the demands of being a Marine.

I went to Okinawa and my mother watched my daughter for a year. That’s a tough situation. We didn’t have Skype and stuff back then. It was letters, phones and mail — real mail. She was two-years-old when I returned. She seemed to know who I was, but her loyalty and comfort was with my mother. It hurt, but I recognized it was going to happen and was grateful she was well taken care of.

The drill field was always very appealing and enticing. The challenge came up of who was going to go first — my husband or me.

About that time I got pregnant with our second daughter, so he went first.

They had a hot fill for a female PMI [primary marksmanship instructor]. I had never thought about that job ever. But I’m not a stranger to challenge and I had to keep my family together.
Here I was going outside of my MOS and outside of my comfort zone into something I really didn’t know. I didn’t realize that I would be walking into such a male-dominated field as a female staff sergeant. At least 95 percent of the platoon were grunts. I’ll never forget my first day when I checked in, and at the first sight of me, the once noisy lounge room suddenly felt quiet. You could hear a pin drop.

This was the first time I had been to a unit where the first thing they did to me was pull me off to the side and start talking to me, warning me of things I should do and things I shouldn’t do. This was the only way they knew how to integrate me into the unit. And all I thought was, “Y’all don’t even know me yet. Judge me on my performance.”

That was one of my best duty stations. I worked hard as an instructor with both male and female recruits. I was constantly learning from my male counterparts, and at the same time handling myself in such a manner that diminished many stereotypes.
Between being a PMI and the drill field, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to give back to the Marine Corps.

I look back sometimes and I don’t know how my kids made it. I was waking them up at 3:30, 4:00 in the morning and taking them to a friend’s house so she could take them to school and I was off to PT.

When I picked up first sergeant, they gave me an MEF [Marine Expeditionary Force] staff. I had probably one of the largest and most diverse companies on Okinawa. Many Marines on the staff outranked me. It was challenging.

But the best way to learn is when you get dropped in a fire.

One thing I learned as a first sergeant is that my job is not just behind a desk. I still need to learn the job that the Marines are doing. The Marines appreciate it if you go out there with them and you’re side-by-side. You can talk a little bit of the language with them and understand what they have to go through.

When I picked up sergeant major, I went back to 4th Battalion, which wasn’t really part of the plan, but I love the place. That’s where my career was born.

I’m a positive person. I think I make the best out of every situation. A lot of the places I go, people don’t want. They don’t want the duty. I jumped on those opportunities as much as I could and turned them into something positive.

I’m currently at a brand new battalion. This battalion has only been around for a year. It’s rewarding to influence some of the foundational process.

Everybody told me it was going to be a challenge. But they’re Marines. All Marines need leadership, so we’ll be fine.

It’s a great battalion.

I’m looking forward to another year or so here and then I’ll continue to move on. My next step will be looking for an O-6 billet. That will definitely be my next move.

I’m here to tell you that the opportunities are there. We’re walking examples of if you put your foot forward, the other one will follow and opportunities and doors will open up. It’s never a dead end until you close the door.

Everyone is feeling the squeeze in the Marine Corps. As you go up, the squeeze has always been there. You grab as much opportunity as you can before the squeeze gets you.

The reason I stayed in past 20 is not because I had something more to gain; I enjoy teaching, I enjoy mentoring, I enjoy leading.
My job is not to see how many NJPs I can get. How many Marines can I save? What proactive things can we do so Marines don’t get the DUI? That’s the way it should be. It shouldn’t be reactive.

It’s been a great ride. I have no regrets at all.

Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner lists the top four achievements that helped shape her career.

PME

I learned earlier in my career to take advantage of every learning opportunity I could. I had great leaders/mentors who required me to attend resident PMEs, whether they were required for promotion or not. I knew that PMEs could only enhance my knowledge, but I also discovered that the intangible lessons I would learn from my peers were invaluable. I would definitely recommend to any Marine to not only attend rank associated PMEs but also seek out different operational/MOS progression courses.

Off-duty education

I joined the Marine Corps after attending college for a year and vowed that I would continue my education. Throughout the years, I continued to take various classes that have not only enhanced my academic skills but broadened my perspective. Now I have my Bachelor’s degree. I know that being able to appreciate differences and analyze critically has helped me be a better leader.

Special Duty Assignment

Any successful tour on an SDA billet is an achievement above your peers. My first tour as a drill instructor was very rewarding in regards to truly understanding the impact on a recruit’s life, while also making an investment in the future of the Marine Corps. My second tour on the drill field as the Bn. Sgt. Maj. allowed me to lead, mentor and inspire Marine Corps drill Instructors, increasing their professionalism and leadership. It’s gratifying to be a part of this unique experience that can never be duplicated. I would recommend any Marine to step outside their comfort zone and embrace the opportunity to serve on an SDA.

Family

I step back sometimes and just reflect on two major accomplishments in my life, my children. I would recommend to any Marine that although we attack our professional desires, we cannot forget to simultaneously invest in family. I know I am where I am today because of the support and sacrifice from my family.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2014
• Date Posted: 04.15.2014 13:05
• Story ID: 126034
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US