After Becoming Homeless, Finding My Home and Purpose in the Marine Corps
Joy Craig’s childhood was anything but stable. After graduating high school, foster care forced her out, and she was homeless. Until she enlisted.
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DonateJoy Craig is an emerging writer and activist focused on veterans and women’s issues. Joy retired from the United States Marine Corps after 23 years of service as an Aviation Ordnance Officer and Drill Instructor. During her service she was awarded the Navy Commendation and Meritorious Service Medals. She’s spent the past two years penning the forthcoming memoir focusing on her experiences in the Marine Corps. Joy is a native Californian residing in the South Carolina Lowcountry with her two daughters. She donates her time coaching for Dragonboat Beaufort, a cancer survivor/supporter charity, and is an alumni of the Leadership Beaufort program.
Joy Craig’s childhood was anything but stable. After graduating high school, foster care forced her out, and she was homeless. Until she enlisted.
Joy Craig walked into the base’s coffee shop and found people huddled around the TV. Then the second plane hit.
Joy Craig hadn’t wanted to spend her last morning of active duty reliving sexual assaults, but there she sat in the base NCIS office, talking with an agent.
Joy Craig writes in an open letter about the chasm between Marines’ wives and female Marines, and about a budding friendship that has softened her distrust.