Breaking Barriers & Leading with Faith: The Story of Marine Officer Jessica Bradley

Summary:

This is another inspiring episode of Dog Tag Diaries Season Seven, where host Captain Kim welcomes Marine officer, mother, and advocate Dr. Jessica Bradley, LtCol, USMC (Retired). Jessica shares her remarkable journey from a small-town Oregon girl inspired by a Vietnam War documentary to becoming one of the first women in her unit to serve in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). She opens up candidly about the challenges of navigating military life as a woman and a mother of a special needs child, breaking gender barriers in the Marines, and leading transformational initiatives like the Secretary of Defense's Women in Service Review Task Force. This episode highlights the intersection of courage, faith, and leadership, encouraging military women to bring their full authentic selves into service and to stay rooted in their calling.

Key Topics:

• Jessica’s early life and inspiration to serve (00:05:29)
• Women’s experience in Marine Corps Boot Camp and leadership lessons (00:09:04)
• Transitioning between enlisted Marine and commissioned officer roles (00:14:02)
• Facing gender discrimination early and later in her career (00:17:20, 00:18:39)
• The importance of faith as a source of strength and guidance (00:20:42)
• Deploying as a single mom and leading in combat during OEF/OIF (00:23:09)
• Family challenges, supporting a child with juvenile diabetes, and military family resources (00:27:42)
• Serving in the Wounded Warrior Regiment and helping wounded Marines transition home (00:30:49)
• Role in repealing the combat exclusion policy and impacting women’s military roles (00:36:23)
• Advice for the next generation of women in uniform (00:42:19)

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “I can be feminine. I can be my authentic self and be hardcore at the same time.” – Jessica Bradley on leadership and identity [00:11:12]
• “You are a Marine just like them. I was able to compete, lead, and serve.” – Jessica on overcoming gender barriers [00:18:08]
• “Stay the course. Bring all of you into your leadership role… Don’t lose sight of who you are in the midst of serving.” – Jessica’s message to future women in uniform [00:42:19]

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction to Dog Tag Diaries & Season Seven theme
• 00:01:16 – Introduction of guest Jessica Bradley
• 00:05:29 – Jessica’s childhood & early inspiration to join the military
• 00:09:04 – Experience at Marine Corps Boot Camp and college ROTC
• 00:14:02 – Transition from enlisted Marine to officer role
• 00:18:39 – Facing gender discrimination as a junior officer and later as a mother
• 00:23:09 – Deployment during OEF/OIF and leadership in combat
• 00:27:42 – Balancing military career with family challenges and special needs parenting
• 00:30:49 – Work in Wounded Warrior Regiment and veteran reintegration support
• 00:36:23 – Involvement in Women in Service Review Task Force and repealing combat exclusion
• 00:42:19 – Closing advice to the next generation of women in uniform
• 00:44:08 – Closing remarks

Dr. Jessica Bradley served in the U.S. Marine Corps as both an enlisted Marine and an officer, ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after more than two decades that spanned three MEFs, deployments to OEF/OIF, and leadership roles including Operations Officer at Wounded Warrior Regiment and policy work on the SecDef’s Women in Service Restrictions Review. Her service shaped a leadership style grounded in faith, fitness, and calm strength, and she later completed a doctorate using the Post‑9/11 GI Bill; today, she continues serving veterans as the ODVA Women Veterans Statewide Coordinator.

Kim...