First female commandant of Southern Indiana Leathernecks sworn in

Pat and Tina Moriarty hug after the swearing in ceremony Thursday night. Tina is the first female commandant of the Southern Indiana Leathernecks.

The Southern Indiana Leathernecks Detachment #931 Commandant Pat Moriarty had the honor of handing the leadership reigns of the detachment over to his wife, Tina Moriarty, Thursday evening.

In a special ceremony, Ann Hunsinger, the Department of Indiana Marine Corps League Commandant, who drove down from Richmond, Indiana, swore Tina Moriarty in as the detachment’s new commandant. Pat will now serve as Senior Vice Commandant.

The couple served in the Marine Corps and were stationed together with the same squadron. Tina served for five years as an avionics technician from 1986 to 1991. She was deployed to Bahrain during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Tina is one of the 33 charter members of the Southern Indiana Leathernecks Detachment #931 formed in Jasper in 1995. She is the first female commandant for the detachment.

“I hope to be a good example for the rest of the detachment and new members,” Tina said. “I want to get new people involved.”

The largest activity ran by the Southern Indiana Leathernecks is the Toys for Tots program for 18 years.

“I was just a lance corporal in the Marines,” Tina said. “I was just a worker-bee and I am still a worker-bee. I can do this because of the people who are there to help.”

Pat said he was very proud that his wife stepped up to accept the position.

Commandant Ann Hunsinger (left) attaches a streamer to the flag during the ceremony.

The new officers of the Leathernecks Detachment being sworn in. (From left) Alan Fritz, Marvin Wild, Pat Moriarty, Tina Moriarty, Dave Englert, Clint Rueber and Dennis Englert. — Department of Indiana Marine Corps League Commandant Ann Hunsinger swears in the new officers of the Leathernecks Detachment. (From left) Alan Fritz, Marvin Wild, Pat Moriarty, Tina Moriarty, Dave Englert, Clint Rueber and Dennis Englert.