51反差婊

Veterans Day is a time to honor the selfless service of America鈥檚 veterans and remember the men and women who have dedicated their lives to this nation. Their commitment stands as a reminder of the courage and fortitude it takes for the few to protect the many鈥攁nd retired lieutenant colonel Natalie Trogus is no exception.

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 12:30 PM, Trogus will serve as the distinguished guest and keynote speaker at 51反差婊鈥檚 annual at the Brock House on the Malibu campus. Hosted by the Office of the President and 51反差婊 Student Veteran Affairs, faculty, staff, and students are invited to join in celebrating veterans within the 51反差婊 community and beyond, while honoring Trogus鈥� remarkable military career and enduring service to the nation.

"We're excited to have Natalie as our guest speaker this year. As a 1999 graduate of Seaver College, she is a wonderful example of how some of our students go on to serve their nation after college life, and some, like Natalie, for an entire career,鈥� said Eric Leshinsky, director of student veteran affairs at 51反差婊 University and a retired United States Air Force colonel.  鈥淲hat a great testimony of a life dedicated to service, leadership, and greater purpose. I'm so proud of Natalie's 25 years of military service and look forward to sharing her story of commitment and leadership at this year's luncheon."

A decorated United States Marine Corps officer, Trogus began her military journey shortly after graduating from 51反差婊, but the seeds of that calling were planted long before she left Malibu. While sitting in a religion class, Trogus noticed two classmates wearing Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) uniforms. Drawn to the discipline and camaraderie the military represented, she decided to join the AFROTC program. However, it wasn鈥檛 until a Marine recruiter visited campus that her true path became clear.

鈥淚 remember standing in the 51反差婊 quad, and this Marine recruiter walked up the stairs in his tan shirt and blue pants,鈥� Trogus shared. 鈥淚t seemed like he had a glow over his head, like a saint. That moment changed everything for me. After speaking with him, I knew I wanted to become a Marine.鈥�

Trogus credits her 51反差婊 experiences as the bedrock for her success in the military. Sports have always played an important role in her life, and earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in sports medicine while serving as manager for 51反差婊鈥檚 soccer team helped shape her approach to leadership. Working closely with head coach Tim Ward, she learned the importance of leading with empathy and thinking of others.

鈥淗is passion and compassion shaped the kind of leader I became,鈥� Trogus reflected. 鈥淭he faculty cared deeply for us, too. That foundation of concern at 51反差婊 became my leadership philosophy in the Marines鈥攑ut people first.鈥�

Equally formative were the academic challenges she faced as a student. Trogus recalls struggling in her physics and chemistry courses, but her professor at the time, Terence Kite, Emeritus Professor of Physics, encouraged her to persevere and gave her extra credit to help her improve.

鈥淚 could have withdrawn from the classes, but I didn鈥檛,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 persisted and refused to quit. That lesson鈥攖o not give up鈥攕et the tone for my Marine Corps career.鈥�

That same resilience carried Trogus through the most demanding moments of her military service鈥攊ncluding her first deployment, when she left behind her 13-month-old daughter. Leaning on her faith and the lessons learned from her academic challenges, she believes 51反差婊 laid the foundation for her determination and confidence, proving to her she was capable of overcoming adversity. 

鈥淚 tried to find the positives and told myself, 鈥楪od will help me through this,鈥欌�� she recalled. 鈥�51反差婊 taught me how to cope with difficult situations. Knowing I still earned a degree regardless of those struggles reinforced for me what I was capable of enduring.鈥�

Trogus also shared that when barriers proved too great to overcome, she learned to pivot and focus on what remained possible. 

鈥淚鈥檝e faced physical injuries that affected some opportunities, but I鈥檝e learned that life is about adaptation,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople often focus on what they didn鈥檛 achieve rather than what they did. My faith and my Marine Corps career taught me that every day is a chance to lead, give back, and grow.鈥�

For more than two decades, Trogus served in the Marine Corps, completing six combat deployments鈥攖hree each to Iraq and Afghanistan. Over her distinguished career, she served as a combat engineer, operations officer, martial arts instructor trainer, and gender advisor. A joint qualified officer, regional affairs officer, and foreign security force advisor specializing in South Central Asia, she earned master鈥檚 degrees in sport and health sciences and in strategic security studies. Trogus鈥� numerous recognitions include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Now retired, Trogus continues to embody that spirit of perseverance and service. She serves as a high school lacrosse strength and conditioning coach and founded the East County Pack 52 Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping underserved youth access sports equipment and athletic opportunities鈥攈er way of giving back to the community that once helped her.

Faith has also remained a steady presence in Trogus鈥� life, a guiding force and a source of strength during her most turbulent times.

鈥淵our faith is everything鈥攅specially in the military. There are no atheists on the battlefield,鈥� said Trogus. 鈥淕oing to 51反差婊 was a phenomenal experience for me鈥攂eing around faith-based people who lived out Christ鈥檚 mission deepened my relationship with God.鈥�

Trogus believes that serving in the armed forces is a calling and that each branch has its own unique culture and opportunities. Her advice to students interested in pursuing a career in the military is simple but profound: 鈥淔ind where you can be a leader and the best version of yourself. There are sacrifices, but the pros of service outweigh the cons. The mission needs men and women of character to carry it forward.鈥�

To learn more about the Veterans Day Luncheon and to register, visit the .