17. Ascending to a Promotion
As with any business, people who are grateful for their opportunities and who demonstrate competency in performing their responsibilities get promoted. The Marines is no exception. After two years in South Carolina, the Marines added a stripe to Ihrke’s rank and promoted her to a new position in Rock Island, Illinois. The move would put Ihrke closer to her hometown state of Minnesota, a move she secretly wanted. South Carolina had been a nice warm change from the unforgivable winters in Minnesota, but a girl gets homesick sometimes. Of course, Sergeant Shannon Ihrke was no longer a girl. She was a woman.