Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Mary Billingsley-Jones. She was a personnel chief and Marine Drill Instructor before transitioning to become a federal civilian employee at HHS.
In 1985, Mary Billingsley-Jones enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Personnel Chief (MOS 0193). She gradually rose through the ranks to become a Staff Sergeant, and later became a Marine Drill Instructor (MOS 8511). Her career led to serving in Honolulu, Hawaii; Norfolk, Virginia; Jacksonville, North Carolina; Parris Island, South Carolina, and other locations.
Her Parris Island tour was particularly rewarding because that’s where she got to “make Marines!” She also had the opportunity to train Marine Corps Candidates at Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Quantico, Virginia.
After 13 years of active duty in the Marines, Billingsley-Jones finished her 20-year military service career in the Virginia National Guard.
After her active-duty military service, Billingsley-Jones took her leadership experience to the federal civilian workforce, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She believes that leaders help others succeed, that every individual has the ability to reach their short and long-termed goals with positive instructions and guidance. Her goal at HHS is to positively impact others so that they can achieve their full potential.
Billingsley-Jones earned a degree in Business Management from Park University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Capella University. She is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Contributors:
Graphic designer: Joe Misko
Editor: Vincent Tran
Fact Checker: Seng Hla
Writer: Christine Perera
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