Former soldier reveals what life was really like as a woman in the US Marines - and the strict rules enforced: 'Toxic family'

A former US Marine has revealed what it was really like to work in a specialised military troop as a woman.

Abby Rose tells Daily Mail she joined the Corps at 24 and served for four years before leaving due to the 'increasingly toxic' environment.

She says while she found camaraderie among the troops, she viewed it more as a 'toxic family', as she faced constant sexism and 'slut-shaming' from male colleagues.

'On my first day in the fleet, one of the corporals put us in a room and basically warned us not to get offended by anything,' she recalls.

'The culture was very much about saying whatever you wanted and getting away with it.

'Overall, parts of it felt very toxic. I thought that kind of environment would end after boot camp, but it was just part of Marine Corps culture.'

'That said, there's also a huge sense of camaraderie because you're together all the time,' she adds.

'You build really deep relationships. It's almost like a toxic family.'

Abby, 34, who is from Houston, Texas, and now works as an adult content creator, once trained with the British Royal Marines on military exercises.

She toured Syria, Kuwait, Spain, Italy and Norway, and made history as one of the first women to do her job in the Corps.

Abby was among the first female section chiefs but despite earning her stripes through the same gruelling training and physical tests, she still never felt accepted.

'Men didn't want me there,' she says.

'We were all running in full gear and even though I was close to the front, this sergeant was screaming at me, saying I'd never make it.

'They'd constantly question why I was there – I knew at that point I would really have to prove myself.'

While many would crumble, cry and leave, Abby was left 'irritated and annoyed'.

'I expected that treatment in boot camp, but not once I had passed and earned my place like the guys,' she continues.

Despite this, no-nonsense Abby says that being a woman in the military was an 'empowering' life choice.

'I went in very headstrong and wanted to show men that women can do this too,' she adds.

'I have a different perspective now. I definitely think women can do the job, but I'm not sure whether I think it's good for them.'

By the end of her four years of service, Abby was subjected to cruel 'slut-shaming' and finally decided to leave.

'Some men are really nice to you when they think that they have a chance of sleeping with you,' she says.

'When they find out that there's no chance of this, they are horribly mean. They'll basically tear down your entire reputation.'

Abby was married for most of her time in the Marines, but following her divorce, she says she jumped back into the dating pool with other men in the Corps.

However, she says that's when the worst of the trouble began. 

'As soon as you sleep with a guy, all your hard work just goes down the drain in their heads,' she says.

'My reputation was just thrown down the toilet just for me sleeping with somebody. That's kind of all you're there for at that point.'

When Daily Mail approached the US Marine Corps for comment, a spokesperson replied: 'The Marine Corps takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. 

'Incidents involving misconduct weaken trust within the ranks, erode unit cohesion, jeopardize combat readiness and mission accomplishment, and will not be tolerated, condoned, or ignored.

'Marine Corps Order 5354.1F, the Prohibited Activities and Conduct Prevention and Response Policy, clearly outlines actions leaders must take to address all complaints of harassment and other prohibited activities and conduct. 

'When an allegation of inappropriate behaviour is reported, the issue is referred to the commander with jurisdiction over the Marine for appropriate investigation and resolution as outlined in MCO 5354.1F.

'Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice defines and prohibits sexual harassment. 

'Marine Corps Order 5354.1F, the Prohibited Activities and Conduct Prevention and Response Policy, and MARADMIN 622/24 clearly outline actions leaders must take to investigate and resolve all complaints of sexual harassment and other prohibited activities and conduct. 

'Any proven violations of Article 134 or MCO 5354.1F are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.' 

Abby says she and her colleagues were also subjected to unusual rules during their time with the Marines. 

'There were loads of strange rules. Looking back, parts of the culture felt almost cult-like,' she says.

'We'd have to stand in circles with our arms behind our backs while being yelled at. 

'And there were rules about not eating, drinking, or using your phone while walking. You also couldn't put your hands in your pockets.

'What always annoyed me was that some of the hardest workers in the field would get held back in their careers over tiny rules like that. 

'Even though they were incredible at the actual job.'