Erin Porras

July 2025 Issuephotography (top and bottom right) by
Jenna Bert with Black Spade Creative

 

Erin Porras
& Opha Mae II

Current Residence: Beaufort, South Carolina

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Career & Rank: United States Marine Corps, 4512 Graphic Specialist, Corporal

Family: Mother: Claudia Dominguez; Siblings: Cindi, Erica, Christian & Eddie

Favorite Hobby: Making miniature house models or crafting 

What inspired you to pursue such a challenging career?
In 2021, I attended my younger brother’s boot camp graduation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. He truly inspired me and within a few days I met his recruiter. Before then, I never had thought of joining the Marine Corps. 

How did you choose the USMC and what do you love about it? 
My younger brother and my dad are both Marines, so there wasn’t much question on which branch I’d be joining. I love how our high standards set us apart from other branches and the camaraderie you can find anywhere in the Marine Corps. 

Tell us more about your journey and if there’s anything in your background that gave you the courage to pursue your path.
Out of high school I worked at three restaurants, at one point, all three simultaneously. It didn’t take me long to be promoted from a server to team leads to a manager position at a young age. The stressful situations and pace I experienced in serving helped better my leadership skills, especially during Covid. 

You have the wonderful position of bring the depot mascot dog handler, working with Opha Mae II. Tell us more.
Cpl. Opha Mae II has been one of the best things that happened to me since joining the Marine Corps. She is my battle buddy that goes with me everywhere. She is truly one of the best dogs I have ever met, and she has made my job so easy with her lovely personality and playful spirit. Her job on the depot is to raise morale and honor our traditions as devil dogs.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome so far?
When I initially joined, being away from my family was really hard. I took every chance I could to go home for as long as I could. Over time, I have made amazing friends and have the best work family here in Beaufort. 

What’s the craziest story you can tell us that has happened to you or that you’ve had to deal with on the job?
I started boot camp in MCRD San Diego but got dropped from my first platoon on training day 30 for a hip fracture. I was shipped to MCRD Parris Island to finish training and graduated six months later. 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve ever received in pursuing your field/branch?
Before I joined the Marine Corps, when I was working as a manager at a restaurant, a customer came up to me and asked if I was a Marine. It was extremely random and unexpected, but he continued to say that I looked and sounded like one. I thought that was an incredible compliment and it inspired me to continue to go to boot camp. 

Where do you see yourself in five years?
One of my biggest goals at the moment is to finish my college degree and commission as an officer. I hope that in five years I will have made that happen and would like to continue my career in the Marine Corps. 

If you ever get down on yourself, what do you do to pull yourself up?
I love motivational videos and listening to Mel Robbins podcasts. She always seems to know the right thing to say when I need it. 

Who has made the biggest difference in your life so far? 
My husband has made a huge impact on my life. He is also a Marine and has excelled at everything he has put his mind to. He motivates me to be better and to take every opportunity that comes my way.

Of all the things you have learned in training, what has been the most useful?
Something I find really valuable is developing my leadership skills and constantly striving to become a better leader for other junior marines.

Are you specialized in anything, or have you received elevated training?
Within my main Marine Occupational Specialty (MOS), we can be sent back to our MOS school for advanced courses. I had the opportunity to go last October to train in Digital Multimedia, and I loved it. 

What encouragement do you have for women/girls who are interested in pursuing a career in your field?
Just do it, but make sure to pick an MOS that you see yourself working in for the next four years. And take every opportunity you can, the Marine Corps can be very rewarding.

What are the words you live by?
Without fear there is no courage. 

If you could tell the world anything, what would it be? 
It’s never too late to start anything. Time is going to pass regardless, so either you start that college degree or business now, or you’ll be five years in the future dreaming of what could have been.