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Before Isabella D. Hawkley’s promotion to sergeant, she had to learn her role as a newly promoted corporal first. She learned the difference between being a friend and being a leader.
“As a corporal, I learned how to be a better example to the Marines, and how to draw the line between leadership and friendship,” said Hawkley. “I’m here to mentor the Marines and getting them to uphold the Marine Corps standard.”
Feeling confident in her leadership skills and experience, Hawkley prepared to take her career to the rank of sergeant. With her losing a meritorious promotion board in the past, Hawkley knew she would have to work harder to achieve the next rank.
Hawkley began building her resume by obtaining the billet of combat marksmanship coach, and achieved a secondary military occupational specialty, of martial arts instructor. On her free time, she wrote eight book reports from the Commandant’s reading list and volunteers at her local church every Sunday. Hawkley’s hard work came to fruition when she received a call saying she won the meritorious promotion board.
“I was in shock when I heard that I had won the board.” said Hawkley. “When I got the call saying that I won, it was like all my hard work had paid off.”
Hawkley obtained the platoon sergeant billet soon after promoting. The billet provides Hawkley with a better understanding of how the shop works, along with the Marines a part of it.
“I have to be more understanding and open to listen to the needs of my Marines.” said Hawkley. “I’m the one the corporals can come to when they need guidance to pass on to the Marines.”
Hawkley feels the need to better herself for her Marines. She runs Marine Corps Martial Arts Program courses for Marines who want to advance in the program. She provides Marines with different courses they can go, related to their MOS.
Hawkley volunteers at her church as a choir director, and coordinator of the church’s women’s group who help pass out meals to shelters.
“The Marine Corps has provided me the opportunity to go to college.” said Hawkley “I don’t have a single student loan debt and that’s something that not everyone can say.”
Hawkley attended Palomar University until last semester and is now attending Boise State University in pursuit of a bachelor's in business management. Hawkley plans to transition into civilian law enforcement after the end of her enlistment in 2026.
“I plan to be a police officer when I get out.” said Hawkley. “I had a sheriff tell me the best thing she ever did when she got out was to do ride along with different departments to find the right one for you.”
Hawkley is an Idaho native and is currently serving as a platoon sergeant with the I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group Network Operations Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Fabian Ortiz)
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2024 17:31 |
| Photo ID: | 8610382 |
| VIRIN: | 240822-M-AS625-1016 |
| Resolution: | 7233x4824 |
| Size: | 874.2 KB |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | CALDWELL, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 193 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Wired for Success | Idaho Native Meritoriously Promotes to Sergeant [Image 2 of 2], by LCpl Fabian Ortiz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
People
California
Marine Corps
MCB Camp Pendleton
Combat Marksmanship Coach
