Won’t Stop, Won’t Quit
Valerie Krygier knows firsthand that perseverance makes for the sweetest of successes.
Krygier first arrived at Officer Candidate School in 2009 but broke her leg in week eight. The following year during her second cycle, she suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury. This past fall was her third and final chance to complete OCS and become a Marine.
As she tried on her dress uniform for the first time at The MARINE Shop the day before OCS graduation, she knew she was right where she was meant to be.
“I just feel right,” Valerie said. “I feel like I’m in the right place and this is what I’m supposed to be doing. I feel like I’m at home.”
Photo caption: Valerie Krygier looks for the
first time at her own sword she will wear
during her commissioning ceremony.
Krygier’s family attended OCS Family Day on Dec. 13 at Marine Corps Base Quantico and watched her be fitted for her uniforms. Valerie commissioned the following day at the National Museum of the Marine Corps just off base.
“You see the colors go on and you’re just very proud of her for the efforts she has put forth,” said her father, Brad Krygier. “It’s a combination that you know her heart is bursting with pride as well. Ultimately now, she can finally say tomorrow she is one of the few, one of the proud, a Marine.”
Valerie is married to a Marine and initially chose The MARINE Shop because his uniforms from the shop had turned out “phenomenal.”
“You can tell they’re made with care and I looked at the work of the other options and I feel the tailoring here is really what sets them apart,” Valerie said. “They’re exceptional at what they do and they fully understand what it means to be a Marine. The Marine standards of uniforms are higher than other branches, at least in my eyes, and they do a phenomenal job here and that’s why I picked the shop.”

Valerie Krygier gets fitted for her dress uniforms at The MARINE Shop during OCS Family Day before graduation.
Member Oorahs!
I received my blouse last Friday and want to thank you for your efforts
in getting things done. Also, please thank the tailors involved in
making everything right and please give my sincere thanks to those who
made the decision to make the necessary corrections at no charge to me.
That in itself says a lot about your organization. The blouse fits
like a glove and actually looks and feels like new.
Thank you and all the staff who had a hand in correcting a problem and making an old man happy. Semper Fi
Sincerely,
My Name is Sergeant Major Juan. M. Hidalgo, Sergeant Major of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) out of Camp Pendleton, CA. Sergeant Major (Ret.) Frank Pulley is one of my mentors and is someone that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. The MCA and SgtMaj Pulley do a phenomenal job in helping us recognize our Marines and Sailors and they continually demonstrate that they are always more than ready to support; anytime...Anyplace! And on behalf of the entire 13th MEU, I thank you very much!
It is ALWAYS a pleasure to work with a consummate professional such as SgtMaj (Ret.) Frank Pulley. As the company 1stSgt for Hotel Company, MCT, SOI (West), I’ve attended a number of his briefs and one can visually see a positive change in the student’s attention levels as the SgtMaj delivers his presentation. The SgtMaj truly cares about the Marines and the Marine Corps and represents the MCA in an extremely admirable manner. It has been my experience that all Marines (including myself) benefit from the experience of attending a MCA presentation. And regardless of rank or years of experience, Marines should always seek to increase their level of proficiency and knowledge and MCA briefs provide us with that opportunity.
I received them this morning. Thank you so much for your help! you guys are awesome and you will have my business for any uniform or military need in the future as well as a hearty recommendation via word of mouth to anyone who wonders where they should purchase uniforms from!
I want to relay my many thanks to everyone at Marine Corps Association and Military Historical Tours for providing me the opportunity to experience such a wonderful trip to Russia. Had I not won this trip through MCA I may have never taken advantage of such fantastic travels. The group, the Russian Tour guide (Oleg Alexandrov) and Charlie Dunn were wonderful companions during the trip. It will be a memory I will cherish all of my remaing days on this earth.
Again, Many thanks and Semper Fidelis!
Christina,
Thank you for all your help over the phone today. Planning a Marine Corps Ball is a lot of time, energy and work.
Timothy C. Summers
I'm so pleased to see all the great merchandise you are stocking and the awesome promotions. Your store was dissappointing a few years ago and I shopped only at Sgt Grit.
Now, I can find what I am looking for with you guys.
Great job!
Just a quick note of thanks to Patty Everett. I arrived home from a week vacation to find a package from the Marine Corps Association. I was expecting to find one of the magazines I requested, however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover both magazines were inside. In a time when it seems no one cares about customer satisfaction I am gratified to discover that customer service is not a lost art at the MCA. Once again I thank you for your efforts on my request. It may have been thing but the effort made a huge impression.
I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone at the association for sponsoring the Ground Awards Dinner on 3 June at the Crystal City Marriott. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were tremendously pleased with the hospitality shown to us and the great accommodations. As well, I wanted to thank the association for the DVD of the event that was mailed to me. It is something that I will keep and treasure for the rest of my days. Again, thanks for everything.
Semper Fidelis!
I received my Dress Blues I ordered from The Marine
Shop in the mail today. And I just wanted to write and tell everyone there
that you all did a great job! Everyone from the tailors, to the customer
service reps. I am highly impressed with the quality and tailoring of your
uniforms. I will definitely keep coming back to The Marine Shop in the
future for uniforms!
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