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 Corps Sgt. Johnathan Davis, an AV-8B Harrier airframe mechanic assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), performs general maintenance on his aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), at sea, July 20, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Christopher Q. Stone)

Marines in These In-Demand Fields Can Take Home Big Bonuses in 2020

Enlisted Marines in dozens of military occupational specialties will qualify for re-enlistment bonuses in fiscal 2020.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) transits the Sea of Japan during an exercise. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kurtis A. Hatcher)

Navy Destroyer Stethem Heads Back to West Coast After 14 Years in Asia-Pacific

The guided-missile destroyer Stethem is headed toward its new homeport in San Diego where it will undergo modernization.

Capt. Oscar Rojas poses with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician First Class Petty Officer Travis Holland and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician First Class Petty Officer Christopher Greene during a bronze star ceremony, June 27, 2019 on Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach. (U.S. Navy/Lt. Kara Handley)

These Navy EOD Techs Fought Off 20 ISIS Fighters in a Cave During Secret Night Raid

Two California-based sailors have been recognized for extraordinary heroism during a nighttime raid on a remote ISIS hideout.

U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, Delta perform a Delta Flat Pass at the Jacksonville Beach Sea and Sky Spectacular Air Show. (Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrea Perez)

Navy 'Salute to America' Flyovers Come as Service Faces Aviation Budget Shortfall

The flights, which run tens of thousands of dollars per hour, come as Navy leaders grapple with a $100 million shortfall.

FILE PHOTO -- A ball python under a vehicle at the 416th Flight Test Squadron parking lot. (Courtesy photo)

Marines Are Reporting 'Huge, Strange-Looking' Snakes at Camp Lejeune

Reports of "huge" snakes at Lejeune have prompted officials to reiterate their warnings against pets, scaly or otherwise.

The future littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) conducts acceptance trials on Lake Michigan, Dec. 6, 2018. (U.S. Navy/Lockheed Martin)

US Navy Commander Relieved After LCS Hits a Cargo Ship in Canada

The commanding officer of a precommissioned littoral combat ship has been removed after the vessel hit another ship.

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, is welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upon arrival at the venue of the G-20 summit in Osaka, western Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP)

Trump: If Japan is Attacked, They Can Watch on Sony TVs While US Fights World War III

President Donald Trump questioned the fairness of a decades-old defense agreement between the U.S. and Japan.

An F/A-18 Hornet from the East Coast Super Hornet Demonstration Team assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 takes off at the 2011 Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Antonio P. Turretto Ramos)

Navy Cancels Super Hornet Demonstration Amid Aviation Budget Shortfall

Strike Fighter Squadron106 won't perform at the National Cherry Festival Air Show in Traverse City, Michigan.

The Marine Corps Detachment of Fort Leavenworth holds a birthday celebration on Nov. 8, 2018. The detachment’s commanding officer, Col. William Blanchard, who was relieved of command, is seen here cutting a cake. (U.S. Army Command and General Staff College/Facebook)

Marines' Fort Leavenworth Detachment Commander Fired After Investigation

Col. William E. Blanchard was relieved on June 19 following an investigation, said a spokeswoman for his parent command.

The Marines Are Doling Out Up to $280K in Bonuses to Keep Pilots Flying

The Marine Corps is opening its aviation bonus program to some of its more experienced pilots.

President Donald J. Trump puts on a flight jacket during a Troop Talk, Nov. 5, 2017, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Donald Hudson)

After 'MAGA' Patches, McCain Scandal, Navy Issues New Memo on Political Activities

The Navy secretary is reminding military personnel in his charge that they must remain apolitical.

FILE-- In this July 2, 2012 file photo, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboat moves in the Persian Gulf while an oil tanker is seen in background. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Congress Wants the Navy to Prove it Can Fight Off Enemy Drone, Boat Swarms

Rep. Seth Moulton is pressing Navy leaders to show they’re ready to combat swarms of small boats or drones.

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, takes off during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 16-2 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 10, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alejandro Pena)

Remains of 3 Marines Killed in December KC-130J Crash Identified

The three were killed Dec. 6 when an F/A-18 Hornet and KC-130J refueling tanker went down about 200 miles off Japan's coast.

Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, practice proper techniques to clear a stairway during an Urban Operations exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 9, 2014. Each building is designed differently to offer an unpredictable layout that Marines would normally experience in UO. The rooms are filled with distracting elements including holes in the walls, open ceilings and multiple doorways. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)

Inside Project Metropolis: Marines Prepare to Wage Big-City Battles

The four-year effort, known as Project Metropolis, is being led by the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Norman Cooling speaks at Forward Operating Base, Spin Boldak, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, June 21, 2011. (Sgt. Joseph Johnson/U.S. Marine Corps)

Marine 1-Star Fires Back After He's Accused of Devaluing Women, Humiliating Staff

The DoD's inspector general investigated Cooling following a complaint from the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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