#VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Gina Marie Jones

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Gina Marie Jones.

Major Gina Jones shared her story with the Veterans History Project in 2006. She served with 2nd Radio Battalion, 3rd Marine Division and Ist Marine Expeditionary Force as a Cryptologist and Intelligence Officer. The Marine Corps piqued her interest because her husband was already serving, and as a military wife they felt like family to her. In 1978 she was accepted to Officer Candidate School and served for 20 years until her retirement in 1998.

She graduated as a Second Lieutenant, and continued her training as a Signals Intelligence Officer. She also worked with the NSA in intelligence and analysis due to her proficiency in languages. Later, she worked as a program manager for research and development projects pertaining to tactical signals intelligence equipment. Her 20-year career took her to many places and opened up new opportunities.

Though Gina was one of the few women in the Marines in the 70s and 80s, she remembers her time there with fondness. She strongly encourages young people to join the military and to look at all branches. Her most recent project is working with the Transition Assistance Program run by the Department of Defense, which helps military men and women transition back to civilian life.

We thank Gina for her service!

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? You’re in luck! 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 of the information as you can put together with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating for how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Graphic created by Carl J. Valentino: Carl J. Valentino is a student at the University of Delaware with a Major in International Business and a Minor in Graphic Design.