Primarily documents Joan R. Kammer Horton's background; her experiences in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in the mid-1950s; and her life after her military service. Horton discusses growing up during the Depression; collecting metal, knitting, and working in defense during World War II; the stigma of a German heritage during World War II; President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death; celebrating the end of World War II; shooting at the Coney Island rifle range; and taking the train to New Orleans, Louisiana. " Topics related to Horton's military service include her reasons for joining the the Marine Corps Women's Reserve; her parents' reactions when she joined; basic training, including the advantages of being older than most of the recruits; uncomfortable regulation shoes; a difficult sergeant; trying to teach Women Marines how to shoot; treatment of women Marines by male Marines; the importance of appearance for Women Marines; and the different summer and winter uniforms. " Horton offers her opinion of compulsory military service; married women in the military; women in combat positions. She also discusses her husband's experiences in the Marines during World War II; becoming an extrovert during her military service; patriotism; living on an island in the Florida Keys; and her volunteer work.