15th MEU News
Photo Information

U.S. Marine Cpl. Monica M. Coleman conducts maintenance quality checks on her Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement aboard Marine Corps Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., on Sept. 6, 2014. Coleman, 20, is from San Antonio, and is a motor transportation operator with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos

Warrior Wednesday: Marine from San Antonio

10 Sep 2014 | Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

U.S. Marine Cpl. Monica M. Coleman joined the Marine Corps to serve her country and push her limits. After accepting the challenge, she quickly found that she loved the camaraderie between Marines.

In addition to the bonds she has made, Coleman loves her job as a motor-transportation operator for Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.

In this interview, the 20-year-old from San Antonio, tells us where her passion comes from, and how she has used it to bring her unit success.

Q: What inspired you to join the Marine Corps?
A: I had a cousin. His name was Jose Luis Saenz. We called him Joey; he was a sergeant in the Marine Corps. He was also in [motor transportation], but he was a mechanic. He really motivated me. I remember seeing pictures of him that he would send in letters from when he was deployed, and I was just so proud and inspired. Unfortunately, he was [killed in action] August 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. That motivated me even more to join.

Q: Did you choose to be a motor-transportation operator?
A: Yes. At that time I really wanted to be in the fight. I was one of those females that if infantry was open, I would have gone. That was the closest job I could get to infantry.

Q: How important is your job to mission accomplishment?
A: We’re the ones that get you where you need to be, or the supplies you need to keep the fight going. Without us, you’re not going anywhere, so I’d say it’s extremely important. 

Q: How do you like being a motor transportation operator?
A: Honestly, I love my job. I do. I can’t say anything bad about it. It’s been great to me. I absolutely love driving huge trucks; I mean who wouldn’t?  They’re unstoppable.

Q: What kind of satisfaction do you get out of being a motor transportation operator?
A: Getting to help units, like I am out here. Knowing that my job counts, plus a lot of the time we get thrown into the training too. Just the other day we went on the long-range mobility hike. It definitely made me appreciate my job a little more.

Q: How do you feel when you’re behind the wheel of this massive truck?
A: I feel powerful. They’re armored vehicles, and they’re made to not be stopped.

For the Warrior Wednesday video on Coleman, visit our YouTube page at: http://youtu.be/gHRleHgUiCU.


15th Marine Expeditionary Unit