By Lance Cpl. Samuel Fletcher, USMC
Judy Siedentopl has been working for the United States Marine Corps longer than any Marine currently serving in uniform.
Siedentopl, who is 90 years old, has served under 26 different generals while working on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
Born in Japan on Sept. 21, 1930, Siedentopl had two children and moved to the United States to offer them a better life for them, she said.
She started working at Parris Island as a seamstress when she was 38. Throughout her career she has seen a lot of change and has worked on several different uniforms, starting with the Vietnam-Era uniforms to present day.
In Siedentopl’s 52 years working on the depot, she has seen a lot of history.
“A long time ago, President Reagan came and visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island,” Siedentopl said while describing her most eventful memory aboard Parris Island. “So everyone left work that day to go see him.”
Siedentopl said she does not like to be stuck at home and enjoys keeping busy. Which is why she plans to keep working.
