May is a month that celebrates the contributions of Americans to the nation’s history and the Defense Department’s commitment to excellence and readiness. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Tiffany Roberts, a manpower officer at Camp Pendleton, California, exemplifies the warrior ethos through her leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her mother hails from Manila, Philippines, while her father, an Army veteran, comes from Canandaigua, New York. Roberts was born in San Jose, California.
“I joined the Marine Corps because I felt a strong need to give back to this country who has given me and my family so much,” she said. “I feel as though the best way for me to give back for the beautiful life I have been given is through serving in the military. Out of all of the countries, out of all the lives I could be living, I was chosen to live this one,” she added. Duty and gratitude fuel her service, reflecting a deep unity of purpose with the Corps’ mission.
Roberts credits her mother with instilling a caring and resilient spirit, honed through years of family-focused discipline. “My mother and brother instilled pride in me as a young child, and they taught me what it means to be a family-woman,” she said. These lessons shaped her into a compassionate and determined officer, capable of leading Marines with empathy and resolve.
As a young child, Roberts faced challenges in asserting herself, often needing to push harder to stand out. “My mother taught me to be resilient and to stand tall because when I speak, I speak with more than just my own voice; I speak with the voice and strength of all my ancestors who came before me. This is something I have carried on through my Marine Corps career,” she said. That grit and perseverance, forged early, drive her to meet the Corps’ exacting standards.
Her mother’s emphasis on hard work inspired Roberts to test her physical limits. In 2019, she joined XIOS Strength and Conditioning, where her coach, Andrew DelaCruz from the Philippines, recognized her potential. Under his guidance, she became a 59-kilogram Olympic weightlifter, competing nationally and earning numerous medals. Recently, she qualified for the 2021 USA Weightlifting Senior Nationals, lifting a combined 166 kilograms (approximately 365 pounds) in the snatch and clean and jerk. “My major goals are to compete on an international stage at the Pan American Games and to be selected to be on Team USA as a weightlifter,” she said. Her athletic achievements mirror the readiness and discipline demanded of a Marine.
Beyond the weight room, Roberts is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology, specializing in military and trauma, enhancing her ability to support her Marines’ mental resilience. “In the Marine Corps, my major goals are to help my Marines develop themselves physically, professionally and mentally,” she said. Her focus on their growth reflects the unity of purpose essential to warfighting readiness.
“Though I initially joined the Marine Corps to give back to my family and country, I now love the Marine Corps because of my Marines. I am their biggest supporter. I want them to thrive in this life, and I want to be a mentor to them to show them that they can achieve great things. All of the opportunities are open for them here, and I want to give them everything to be the best Marines and leaders that they can be,” she said. Roberts’ dedication to mentoring reflects the warrior ethos, ensuring her Marines meet the Corps’ high standards through effort and skill.