CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Shannon Ihrke is the former Marine-turned-model whose Instagram account has racked up over 70,000 followers.
Ihrke is the spokesmodel for a popular radio station in Chicago — 97.9 the Loop, she works as an MMA ring girl, and she's posed for publications like Maxim.
Despite these milestones, Ihrke's most important honor was her four years in service for the United States Marine Corps. She joine the Marines when she was only 19, and said it was the best decision she has ever made.
Ihrke said the Marines gave her a reason to stay motivated, set goals for herself, and to push herself when things got tough. Being a woman in the Marines, she said she had to constantly prove herself or work twice as hard as the guys in order to get their respect.
After four years, Ihrke called it quits and changed her plans to become a lingerie model.