Andrea Jones (bottom left in the photo above) made one of her most important life decisions in a unique way; in a parking lot over lunch.
Jones graduated high school in 1989 and wasn’t sure what her path forward would be. She’d always wanted to join the police force, but regulations at the time prevented her from pursuing that. She was a half inch too short.
After a few months passed, she parked near a recruiting station in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The station held recruiters for all four branches of service. As Jones sat and ate lunch, she watched how each of the recruiters interacted with their prospective recruits.
She decided that the Marine Corps was the place for her. Although, she says, seeing the Marines in their dress blues may have helped sway her decision.
“I was actually sent home several times to ‘think about’ joining the Marines because women do not usually just come in and sign up,” said Jones. “After a few times of coming back they took me seriously and I joined.”
When it was time to select her Military Occupational Service (MOS), Jones tried again to become a police officer. Regulations still ruled out that option. She went in with an open contract and was placed in food service, which wasn’t a problem because she loves cooking.
“I excelled at being a Marine and quite frankly enjoyed every aspect of cooking,” said Jones. “If there was a challenge at work or a new assignment they needed a volunteer for, I was usually the first to raise my hand to do it.”
This included running food for recruits in the field, renovating and revamping the chow hall, running the equipment program, and procuring new equipment for the hall. Jones spent five years with the Marines and earned several rewards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
“This was awarded for my outstanding performance as a Marine; for going above and beyond the line of duty for my unit,” Jones said. “That is not a medal that is just given out to anyone and was surprised to get it.”
After leaving the Marines, Jones returned to the Midwest to raise her children and attend college. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety. She’s putting her degree to use as an EHS manager at the GBW Services facility in Atchison, Kansas.
“I owe my drive and discipline to what the Marines gave me,” said Jones.
She and her family also attend the National Veterans Golf Tournament every year to assist blind and disabled veterans. The week-long event includes golfing, horseback riding, bowling, tandem bike riding, and more.
“It is the best and most crazy week ever and would not change it for the world,” said Jones.