Article written for the Lancaster Gazette in Lancaster, Ohio in November 2022.
Miranda Fowler became a Private First Class U.S. Marine upon graduating with honors from the Marine Corp Recruit Depot on January 3, 2020 in Parris Island, South Carolina.
Miranda was a graduate of Papa Company, Platoon 4000. She earned the title Papa Company Honor Graduate and received the coveted “Chesty” Puller Award which honors the achievements of recruits who stood out during training.
Miranda trained physically prior to arriving for boot camp. However, boot camp is meant to be more physically and mentally challenging than what you can prepare for ahead of time. According to Miranda, “That’s the beauty of the camp. We learn to operate together with our platoons, we can’t go around challenges; we need to go through them. It’s definitely not something normal people would enjoy, but minute by minute, we were becoming Marines.”
From the beginning, Miranda Fowler wanted to be a part of something larger than herself. She considered becoming a nurse, but felt that she would be better suited in the Marines. Miranda’s instincts were correct. She is a natural leader, focused, determined and well suited to be a United States Marine; as her rank achievements prove.
Miranda’s meritorious promotion to lance corporal, the third enlisted rank in the Marine Corps, came in July 2020. The Marine Corps is the only remaining branch of the U.S. Military with a lance corporal rank. There isn’t a limit to the number of Marines who can hold this rank, however, those within the rank are expected to show a degree of leadership by using their experience to help other enlisted Marines. They are also expected to continue developing their leadership skills.
In March 2021 Fowler received a meritorious promotion to the noncommissioned officer rank of corporal. In comparison to the lighter duties of lance corporals or privates, corporals hold a significant amount of responsibility and authority.
This October Miranda received a meritorious promotion to sergeant which is the oldest rank in the Marine Corps. Fowler is looking forward to the additional responsibilities that comes with her new rank. She’s also looking forward to re-enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.
Miranda Fowler is a 2019 graduate of Amanda-Clearcreek High School and the oldest daughter of Barry and Angela (Reiber) Fowler. While Miranda follows in the footsteps of many of her ancestors, from her paternal side and her maternal side, who served in the armed forces of the United States; her sister, Elaina Fowler, is making her own accomplishments, but doing it a little closer to home. Elaina, a 2021 graduate of Amanda-Clearkcreek High School, will graduate from Mason Anthony School of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences this winter. Family and friends are proud of the Fowler sisters and look forward to both of them achieving their next goals.
