--- title: "MIGHTY 25: From foster care to Iraq, Tee Marie Hanible continues serving" description: "Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Tee Marie Hanible spent 20 years actively serving in what is arguably labeled the toughest branch of military service. But this former foster kid youth from Chicago was raised in grit long before becoming a Marine helped her define it.  Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Tee Marie Hanible spent 20 years actively serving in what is arguably labeled the toughest branch of military service. But this former foster kid youth from Chicago was raised in grit long before becoming a Marine helped her define it. " date: "2021-11-10" modified: "2021-11-12" authors: - name: "Jessica Manfre" job_title: "Coast Guard Spouse, Contributor" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/jessicamanfre/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/mighty-25-tee-marie-hanible/" categories: - "Mighty 25" --- # MIGHTY 25: From foster care to Iraq, Tee Marie Hanible continues serving ![The left side shows a woman in a military dress uniform shaking hands with a man in a black tuxedo, standing in an elegant room with blue and gold furniture. The right side shows a woman in a black blazer and floral dress speaking at a wooden podium with a microphone, in front of a banner that reads "USO Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore.]() *Photos provided by Tee Marie Hanible.* Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Tee Marie Hanible spent 20 years actively serving in what is arguably labeled the toughest branch of military service. But this former foster kid youth from Chicago was raised in grit long before becoming a Marine helped her define it. “I grew up with a simple beginning and was adopted at an early age,” she said. “My father was shot and killed in Chicago when I was only 10 months old. The Department of Children and Families stepped in, taking my brother and I out of the home.” Her foster parents, Minnie and William Hudson, fostered over 40 children including her and her brother. Despite the support, love and her eventual adoption –– Haniblel was frank in admitting she was heading down the wrong path as a teenager. Being told she couldn’t do something would change everything. “ I got to meet my brother and his Marine Corps recruiter in our home one day and really hear firsthand what he was doing. Though I had been thinking about the military, it wasn't solidified,” Hanible shared. “He was a Lance Corporal at the time and he told me to go talk to the Air Force recruiter because the Marine Corps wasn’t for me.” Hearing him tell her she couldn’t do it lit a fire, she said. “I became a Marine and always raised my hand first right alongside the boys. I was the first to deploy in my own unit,” Hanible added. Before she knew it, the Marine Corps became her career. “I just kept saying, this is what I know and what I’m good at, let’s see what else I can do. Each moment became another chapter,” Hanible explained. ![A woman with long, wavy black hair wearing a sleeveless gray dress with a red and white plaid pattern stands smiling in front of a screen. The screen displays a promotional image for a book titled "The Warrior Code" by Gunnery Sergeant (Ret) Tee Marie Hanible, featuring a photo of a woman with long curly hair wearing a light-colored quilted jacket. The background of the screen is a mix of yellow and dark tones.]() *Photo provided by Tee Marie Hanible* Some chapters were more challenging than others –– especially at particular units where she was one of the only women present. “Sometimes you just have to give yourself a little pep talk to start the day. But even when I got to a place where I felt like it was too much, I had mentors step in and tell me I could,” she said. In Hanible's words, it was the scary or challenging moments she used to build her strength. From growing up in Chicago after her traumatic early years to getting in trouble and even being a Marine, Hanible saw it all as building blocks. During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Hanible was the only female in her unit and volunteered for the combat deployment. Hanible said her adoptive mother’s influence would be the foundation she needed to sustain a 20-year career as a female Marine. When she was deployed, her family stepped in to support her children so she could serve. In 2016, Hanible retired from the Marine Corps and founded Operation Heroes Connect, which serves at-risk youth -- pairing them with service members or veterans in a mentorship program. For Hanible, it’s a tribute to her foster mother. “The groundwork and commitment she laid out for me as I was growing up, I wanted to give back to other kids,” she explained. “I strongly believe in using my voice and platform to do the right thing.” - ![A group photo collage featuring two large groups of children and teenagers. The top group consists mostly of girls wearing light purple T-shirts with the text "Operation Heroes Connect Girls Empowerment Camp," along with a few adults in turquoise T-shirts. They are indoors, posing closely together, some sitting and some standing. The bottom group consists mostly of boys wearing blue T-shirts with the text "Operation Heroes Connect Boys to Men Camp." They are outdoors, sitting and standing in front of trees and a fence, with a sunny sky in the background. Both groups appear cheerful and engaged.]() - ![A diverse group of people, many wearing masks, are gathered outdoors holding various signs and banners. Prominent banners read "#WallOfVets," "VETERANS FOR BLACK LIVES," and "VETERANS for Kaepernick" with an American flag and soldier silhouette. Other signs include messages like "Jun 2, 1863 HARRIET TUBMAN WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD U.S. TROOPS," and "WE WANT JUSTICE! IT IS WHAT IT IS." Many individuals have raised fists, symbolizing solidarity and protest. The background shows trees and a partly cloudy sky.]() - ![People serving and receiving food at an outdoor event. Several individuals wearing gloves are dishing out hot food from large foil trays on a long table, while others hold white disposable plates and containers. Steam rises from the food, indicating it is freshly cooked. The setting appears to be a casual community gathering or food distribution.]() - ![A woman with curly hair dyed red at the ends is speaking into a megaphone during a protest. She is wearing a camouflage jacket over a black T-shirt with a white silhouette and the word "MARCH" printed on it. Behind her, a crowd of people holds various signs and a large banner, one sign reads "GATHER RESIST EMPATHIZE ACCEPT TRUST." The scene takes place outdoors with leafless trees and a building visible in the background.]() *Photos provided by Tee Marie Hanible* Her organization also provides community outreach services in the DC, MD and VA area. One of Hanible’s favorite events is the youth summer camp. “We just have an amazing time with these kids. They work with their youth counselor and get to share their story while becoming a part of a legacy,” she said. Not long after retirement, Hanible joined Fox Network as the only female military expert for the reality show, American Grit, hosted by John Cena. She became the National Veterans Chair for the Women’s March DC Chapter in 2017 and in 2019, published her book, [*The Warrior Code: 11 Principles to Unleash the Badass Inside of You*](). Hanible is proud of her advocacy, the impacts she's made and non-profit work she's done, but is quick to label herself as “family driven," crediting her adoptive family and daughters for any success. “I still get scared or nervous sometimes but I like to take that energy and put it into what I’m doing. Whether it’s a speaking role or a new business I won’t let being nervous define how I move forward. At the end of the day I get to say I did it, even if I did it scared. It’s not easy though,” she explained. Sleepless nights, lessons learned and a whole lot of grit has pushed Hanible forward. She also has a self-care routine of utilizing quiet time in a hot bath to reset after challenges. “You have to have those moments. It’s like my own personal counseling session,” she said with a laugh. As for what the future holds for this retired Marine and advocate, there’s nothing off the table. For starters, she wants to build a scholarship program so kids from Chicago can attend her camps, she said. Her advice for transitioning veterans or members of the military community looking to impact the world were simple: just start. ## Author Jessica is a clinical social worker, writer, and military advocate whose work for We Are The Mighty focuses on the lived realities of military service, especially the moments that come after the uniform comes off. Her writing centers on veterans, military spouses, and families navigating transition, identity, resilience, and healing, often blending clinical insight with deeply human storytelling. She covers leadership, service, community impact, and the cultural shifts shaping today’s military-connected population, frequently drawing from interviews with senior military leaders, influencers, and grassroots voices across the space. Beyond writing, Jessica serves as Director of MilSpouseFest and works as a Military Events Manager, leading national campaigns and large-scale events that bring military communities together. She is the author of Never Alone (Moody Publishers) and is currently developing her next book, After the Battle. When she’s not writing or advocating, Jessica can usually be found with a good cup of coffee in hand, tackling her ever-growing TBR, hiking with her dog, or spending quality time with her family. She is a proud military spouse of an active-duty U.S. Coast Guard member and draws inspiration from the resilience, humor, and heart of military life every day. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]()