Gina Harkins

Gina Harkins previously covered the Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard for Military.com. She has covered troops and their families for nearly a decade, reporting from the U.S., Central and South America, and at sea. Before joining Military.com, Gina was a longtime reporter and managing editor for the independent Marine Corps Times. Her story on two recruits trapped at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina was runner up for the 2013 Military Reporters and Editors award for domestic military coverage. She holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and studied political science and international relations in her undergrad at Northeastern Illinois University.

Latest Articles

U.S. Marine Sgt. Katheryn Swingle, drill instructor, Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, conducts incentive physical training to instill order and discipline during the first phase of recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Oct. 29, 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Aneshea S. Yee)

The Marines Want an Academic Study on the Cost, Impacts of Co-Ed Boot Camp

The Marine Corps is looking for a university that can complete an in-depth study of co-ed recruit training.

Marines and sailors stand aboard the amphibious assault ship America (LHA 6) during an all-hands formation on the flight deck. (U.S. Marine Corps photo Capt. Maida Zheng)

Force-Wide Review Could Result in a 'Radically Different' Marine Corps

The review is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Renzel Craft and Cpl. Everton Porto, both heavy equipment mechanics with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, receive Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals during their Corporals Course graduation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 12, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Alexa M. Hernandez)

Marine Corps Revising Online Training After 'Nonsense' Scenario Draws Ridicule

Marines are known to take to social media to make fun of some aspects of Corps life, but in one case, it's affecting change.

Marine Commandant Responds to Backlash over Lack of Women in Birthday Video

Commandant Gen. David Berger said he isn't losing any sleep over the backlash.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeremy Davis, incoming commanding officer of 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, addresses guests during a change of command ceremony on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, June 14, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Isaiah Campbell)

Marine Commander in Japan Removed from Job Amid Investigation

Lt. Col. Jeremy Davis was relieved "due to a loss of trust and confidence."

President Obama looks to see whether it is still raining as a Marine holds an umbrella for him. (Associated Press/Charles Dharapak)

Marines Can Now Use Umbrellas Instead of Just Holding them Up for Presidents

The top Marine general is putting an end to the long-standing tradition of toughing out the rain without an umbrella.

Female Marines with medium-length hair are now allowed to wear a "half ponytail" hairstyle during physical training. (U.S. Marine Corps/Pamela Jackson)

Female Marines Get OK to Wear New Hairstyle and More Earring Choices

The changes are among several uniform-related changes signed off on this week.

Retired Vice Adm. Michael Franken served as commanding officer of the destroyer Winston S. Churchill and served in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Retired from the Navy and living in Iowa, Franken is hoping to unseat Sen. Joni Ernst, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, who's running for her second six-year Senate term. (Source: Facebook)

This Retired Navy Vice Admiral Wants to Unseat Another Military Officer in the Senate

Michael Franken feels his experience and perspective is well-suited to cut through the inaction he sees in Washington.

The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, was the key note speaker during the second day of the NAVSEA Warfare Center, “Courage, Confidence, Competence: Leadership in a Diverse Environment,” training event held at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Nov. 28-29, 2016. (U.S. Navy/Monica McCoy)

Mail-In Ancestry DNA Kits May Help Enemy to Target You, Navy's Top Officer Says

The Navy's top officer warned against using popular at-home ancestry DNA test kits this week.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hector J. Marchi Ramos, a radio operator with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, is promoted to sergeant by his wife during a promotion ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. September 4, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps/Capt. Joshua P. Hays)

The Marine Corps Is Changing How It Promotes Sergeants and Staff Sergeants. Here's How

Starting in January, corporals won't be able to pick up sergeant until they've been in the Marine Corps for four years.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducts high-speed turns in the Atlantic Ocean, Oct. 29, 2019. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor Loessin)

Supercarrier Ford Returns to Norfolk as Navy Leaders Spar with Shipbuilder, Congress on Setbacks

The aircraft carrier Gerald Ford is back in Naval Station Norfolk after setbacks in getting technology on the ship working.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Benjamin Hutchins departs the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in an F-35B Lightning II from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, MAG-13, 3rd MAW, during routine training in the eastern Pacific, Oct. 7, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Juan Anaya)

Marines Could Deploy More 'Lightning Carriers' amid High Demand for Flattops

As carrier maintenance issues mount, the Navy is considering loading up amphibious assault ships with F-35Bs.

Staff Sgt. Jesus Rubalcado, drill instructor for Platoon 1056, Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, encourages his new recruits during “pickup” June 7, 2014, on Parris Island, S.C. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Octavia Davis)

2 More Co-Ed Marine Boot Camp Companies Train Together at Parris Island

By the end of the week, two more co-ed companies will be training at the Marine Corps' East Coast recruit depot.

Photo of the military working dog involved in the raid that killed ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. (Via Twitter)

This Is the Military Working Dog That Helped Take Out the Leader of ISIS

The very good dog appears to be a female Belgian Malinois.

Navy Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher, left, walks with his wife, Andrea Gallagher as they arrive to military court on Naval Base San Diego, Monday, July 1, 2019, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Julie Watson)

CNO Denies Request to Allow Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher to Retire a Chief Petty Officer

The CNO otherwise opted to uphold the sentence decided by Gallagher's peers during a summer court-martial.

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