How do you go from service member to running for the Indiana State Senate? Check out the story of Tabitha Bartley and how her difficult transition experience out of the military-led her to get involved with helping veterans and now she is working to make a change for her local community through running for office for State Senator District 7.
Listen to the full episode here.
How Veterans Can Help Remove the Divide in Politics
A few years ago, I heard Mark Rockefeller speak about how Veterans can help remove the divide in politics. He talked about how veterans are taught to work and execute a mission with people who are different from themselves. As military members, we come from all over with all different types of cultures and experiences. But we are all seen as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coasties. And we have one primary mission, to get the mission done.
It requires not only talking to your fellow service member but also working together to solve the problems at hand. That is why I am so excited to talk to Tabitha about why she is running for office. She shares a little of her military experience and her difficult transition and how that led her to run for public office. But it is what she is doing today that is most exciting.
From US Marine Corps to Running for Indiana State Senate
Not only is she running for office, but she is already working to bring positive change for her community through helping to organize various events and holding weekly conversations that local Indiana residents are facing. Tabitha wants to have a real conversation and stand up for change.
She seeks to help people with simple solutions and focus on solving problems. Tabitha hopes to take the politics out of non-partisan issues and find the solution to issues instead of disagreeing and not finding a solution.
Joining the Military
Tabitha Bartley enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2010 and completed recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC. Following recruit training, she attended Marine Corps Combat Training at Camp Geiger and then the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, MD. She then reported to Base Public Affairs, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA in June of 2011 to serve as a staff writer for the Quantico Sentry.
Next, she served as the assistant director for the Base Community Relations program where she was part of the Toys for Tots Campaign and ran the base volunteer program. She then made a PCS move to Marine Corps Recruiting Station Columbia, SC in June 2014.
While Stationed at RS Columbia she served as the Marketing and Public Affairs Director. She handles all the marketing, public relations, community relations, media relations, and advised the commanding officer. She also served as the uniform sexual assault victim advocate.
Life after the Military
During her time in the Marines, she maintained numerous social media platforms, developed strategic marketing plans, and orchestrated community initiatives. Sgt. Bartley ended her service in the Marine Corps in October 2018 and relocated to Monticello, IN.
She currently works for the University Development Office at Purdue Research Foundation and serves as the director for Women Veterans of Greater Lafayette, IN. Tabitha is also a member of Disabled American Veterans, Tippecanoe County Veterans Council, and Midwest Women Veterans Coalition. She is married and has three children.
Personal Achievements
Her personal awards include the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 3 gold stars, District Support Marine of the Year 2015, District Support Marine of the Year 2016, District Marketing, and Public Affairs Marine of the Year 2017.
Connect with Tabitha:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabitha-bartley/
www.facebook.com/bartley4indiana
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bartley-for-indiana-1
Mentioned in this episode (affiliate links used):
Do You Know the Story of the Original Military Women Pilots?
Related Episodes:
Finding Herself in the Marines – Episode 12
Join the Marine Corps – Episode 80
Serving as an Officer in the Marine Corps – Episode 51
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