SGT Marina Gray, a petroleum supply specialist with the Maine Army National Guard, earned the title of Miss Maine USA in a pageant November 25-26, 2017, in Portland, Maine. As the winner from Maine, SGT Gray went on to compete in the national Miss USA pageant on May 21 in Shreveport, Louisiana, for the chance to represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant.
A native of Mount Desert Island, Maine, SGT Gray comes from humble beginnings, overcoming many challenges that she says helped shape her into the strong, independent woman she is today.
“I felt when I was younger that I wouldn’t be able to achieve what I wanted because I came from a low-income family,” SGT Gray said. “I didn’t think my life would be as fruitful as it has been, but I just kept fighting for a better life.”
Above all, she wants to give hope to children who grow up in situations like hers, stressing that they should never feel like they can’t achieve their goals.
“I left home when I was 16 years old,” she said. “When I joined the Army at 17, the military immediately became my family and has supported me through the years.”
She became legally responsible for herself through the legal emancipation process and graduated from high school in just three years. She left for Army basic combat training two months after her 17th birthday.
“I definitely think the military helped shape me into the hard-working, moral person that I am,” SGT Gray said. “I’m thankful that I have the military in my life and everyone backing me.”
She has been in the Maine Army National Guard for five years. She spends one weekend a month training with the 133rd Engineer Battalion’s Forward Support Company in Brunswick.
“Once I put my military uniform on, that is what takes precedence over my life,” she said. “I know that the military comes first, and it always will.”
To help pay for college, SGT Gray joined the Maine Army National Guard. In addition to her military duties, she worked as a waitress while attending the University of Maine in Orono. Still, she was able to manage a full course load and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
SGT Gray was inspired to enter pageantry by Deshauna Barber, the 2016 Miss USA title holder who, at the time of her pageant victory, was serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. She was the first Miss USA to actively serve in the U.S. military.
“Pageantry was never something I imagined myself doing, but I think [the experience will help] take me exactly where I want to go with my career,” SGT Gray said. “I’m super excited.”
She said she was thrilled to compete in the Miss USA pageant and represent Maine. “I’m thankful for the opportunity as a whole,” she said. “It’s honestly an amazing community of people.”
SGT Gray said she is thrilled her story has caused other young women to realize that they can be Soldiers without losing their femininity. She went on to note the importance of women pursuing a desired profession, even if it is in a male-dominated field.
“It’s been extremely overwhelming to have people tell me they are inspired by my story,” she said. “It’s motivating me to continue this journey of sharing and helping other people.”
BY SGT Sarah Myrick, MAINE NATIONAL GUARD
