WASHINGTON D.C. – SPARTA, the nation’s leading transgender military service organization, is proud to announce our newest member of the Board of Directors, Samson "Sam" Gibbs, who assumes the role of SPARTA's Vice President.
Sam an active duty Career Planner stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. He has 6 years time in service, including one deployment as an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) mechanic in 2018. Sam was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, from 2016 to August of 2021, and has served as a Uniformed Victim Advocate, Corporal’s Course and Lance Corporal’s Seminar instructor, and Maintenance Chief, as well as Platoon Sergeant, and Section Chief.
Sam found SPARTA in 2016 through a friend that had recently found SPARTA herself, and he hopes to continue making a difference in people’s lives. His goal is to be the change that he want to see in the world - and that’s advocating for those whose voices aren’t being heard.
"I hope to see the organization continue to grow! We’ve grown so much over the last few years and it is such an awesome experience getting to help so many people find their way in life and their voice to speak," Sam says. "Sparta has always had a way of encouraging growth through the bonds of community, friendship, and family. Our chosen family has the power to change the world, one story at a time. I am excited to see where our stories take us in working for change in policy, hearts, and minds."
"People ask me what it means to me, to be a transgender service member. Until recently, I didn’t really have an answer. My last Commanding Officer shared some of her wisdom with me and it was this, 'You aren’t a transgender Marine, you’re a Marine. There aren’t female Marines or dark green Marines, there are only Marines. Stereotypes don’t take away from or add to the title. We are all Marines.' I’m honored to have the pleasure and the privilege of serving in the Marine Corps, but what makes me good or even great is not that I’m transgender. I am just a Marine, that is going out of his way to make the Marine Corps, the DoD, and the world a better place. Diversity makes us better, stronger, and more innovative."
