Gina Harkins

Gina Harkins reports on 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.

Email: gina.harkins@military.com

Latest Articles

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier.

In Unprecedented Joint Letter, Top Military Brass Denounces US Capitol Riot

In a one-page memo, the members of the Joint Chiefs told the military that Joe Biden will be their next commander in chief.

A protester screams "Freedom" inside the Senate chamber.

Navy Career of 'QAnon Shaman' Ended After He Refused Anthrax Vaccine

Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley, a 33-year-old Navy veteran, refused to take the anthrax vaccine while in the Navy.

More Democrats Say They'll Vote 'No' on Waiver for Biden's SecDef Pick Lloyd Austin

Lawmakers heard from two experts who warned that granting another waiver to a recently retired general.

'QAnon Shaman' Arrested for Storming the US Capitol Is a Navy Veteran

Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley served in the Navy as a supply clerk seaman apprentice, according to his personnel records.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday.

After Capitol Siege, Navy's Top Officer Tells Commanders to Stay Focused on the Mission

Adm. Mike Gilday said the military remains focused on its tradition of staying apolitical and carrying out its mission.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday.

If the Navy Gets the Next Decade Wrong, It Might Not Recover This Century: CNO

The Navy's top officer is pushing plans to buy large unmanned drone ships back to the late 2020s.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley (right). (Photos: AP and U.S. Army)

The Military Can’t Legally Curb a President's Access to Nuclear Codes, Experts Say

Pelosi called Gen. Mark Milley to discuss what she described as precautions to prevent Trump from accessing nuclear codes.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly Says Trump Has Poisoned Americans’ Minds, Needs to Go

It was an attack on democracy and on Americans' way of life, former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said.

Supporters of President Donald Trump march on Pennsylvania Avenue

Military Leaders Say 'Tremendous Confusion' Delayed Response to Capitol Siege

Top defense leaders are pushing back against criticism that they were ill-prepared for Wednesday's massive security lapse.

Military Officers in Congress Join Call to Invoke 25th Amendment, Remove Trump

Rep. Adam Kinzinger is the sole Republican joining more than 60 Democratic lawmakers who are now calling for Trump's removal.

Members of the National Guard arrive to secure the area outside the U.S. Capitol

1,100 Guard Troops Deploy to DC Amid US Capitol Siege by Mob of Protesters

National Guard troops from the Washington, D.C., and Virginia National Guards have been ordered to the U.S. Capitol.

The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy.

The Navy Hospital Ship Politicians Want in LA Is Stuck in Maintenance in Portland

The Mercy is undergoing a major maintenance overhaul at Portland's Vigor Industrial shipyard, where it has been since July.

Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar (Army Photo)

SEAL Team 6 Operator to Plead Guilty in Green Beret's Death

Anthony DeDolph will plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice and hazing, The Daily Beast reported.

A U.S. Army Recruiter motivates young football players.

Obesity and Other Problems Barring Teens from Military Service Need National Attention, Leaders Say

More than 70% of Americans remain unable to join the military due to obesity, education problems, or crime and drug records.

The USS John S. McCain transits through the South China Sea.

No, China Did Not 'Expel' a US Warship from its Territory, Navy Says

China called the McCain's movements "a serious violation" of its sovereignty and security.

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Most Popular Military News

breaching the Capitol building during a riot

Why Military Veterans and Law Enforcement Joined the Capitol Insurrection

The deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 attracted a variety of far-right extremists who shared a devotion to Trump.

An American soldier and six South Korean civilians have been accused of stealing three Humvees from an unnamed U.S. base in South Korea and trying to sell them. (COURTESY OF SEOUL METROPOLITAN POLICE AGENCY)

FBI Searches for Armored Military Vehicle in California

The Humvee was stolen from a National Guard Armory in a Los Angeles suburb.

A customer shops at NEX Pensacola, Florida.

DoD Cancels Plans to Let Thousands of Civilian Employees Shop at Exchange

The proposal to expand military exchange shopping privileges had been expected to be finalized in late 2020.

Soldiers hold folded American flags that will be presented to family members. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

After Years of Fighting, the Military Has Started Phasing Out 'Widow’s Tax'

Many survivors will see at least $400 more in their Feb. 1 annuity payments.

An airman stands in formation during a SERE Specialist Apprentice Course graduation ceremony.

After Training Changes, Air Force SERE School Sees Near-Historic Low Attrition

Typically, about half of each class washes out during the final apprentice course because of its demanding nature.

Latest Military Videos

Take Flight with Some Top Pilots in U.S. Air Force

Some of the top pilots in the U.S. Air Force invited Elex Michaelson to fly with them in an...

Thunderbirds Invade Hollywood

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew over Hollywood on Monday and down the red carpet of the world premiere...

Blue Angels Take Reporter on the Ride of His Life

A lucky reporter gets a chance to fly with the Blue Angels!

Army News

U.S. Army National Guard soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard provide security to the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

Thousands of National Guard Troops to Begin Leaving DC This Weekend

Arrangements are being made for 15,000 of the 25,600 Guard soldiers and airmen in D.C. to return home over the next 10 days.

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III responds to a question.

House and Senate OK Lloyd Austin’s Waiver to Serve as Defense Secretary

The retired Army general could be confirmed as the first Black defense secretary on Thursday.

As the sun rises, a soldier hikes along a 12-mile road march course. (U.S. Army: Sgt. Scott Lamberson)

Soldier Found Dead at Base in Kuwait, Army Says

The soldier, who has not yet been publicly identified, was found unresponsive at Camp Arifjan.

Navy News

How the Army and Navy Won the First Battle of Desert Storm

The invasion began 30 years ago.

Commanding Officer of Navy Reserve Center Fired After Investigation

Capt. Scott Moss, who led the NOSC in Knoxville, was relieved of command by Capt. Dale Maxey.

Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft from the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) successfully landed onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth on 1 November 2018 marking the beginning of the second phase of Development Testing (DT-2) of first-of-class flying trials (U.S. Navy/Liz Wolter)

US, UK Sign Agreement to Merge Forces for Historic Joint Carrier Deployment

Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and the Navy destroyer The Sullivans will deploy as part of the strike group.

Air Force News

An E-11A sits on the runway at Kandahar Airfield.

Engine Failure, Aircrew Error Led to Fatal E-11A Crash in Afghanistan, Air Force Says

The report released by Air Combat Command concluded that the broken blade caused the left engine to shut down automatically.

Mark Fox poses in a Hornet aboard the USS Saratoga.

30 Years On, Veterans Recall the Desert Storm Air War

Months of preparation preceded a month-and-a-half-long air war that left 33 American pilots and their crew members dead.

Illustration of hair regulations for female Airmen.

Air Force to Allow Female Airmen to Wear Longer Braids, Ponytails

Women will also be able to wear bangs that touch their eyebrows, but not cover their eyes.

Marine Corps News

supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the U.S. Capitol

3 Militia Members, Including Marine Vet, Charged with Plotting Capitol Breach

The Oath Keepers group often recruits current and former military, police or other first responders.

An Army soldier plays taps in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery.

Dorothy Schmidt Cole, Oldest Living Marine, Dies at 107

Cole enlisted as one of the earliest female Marine reservists following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

SEAL Pleads Guilty to Role in Hazing Death of Green Beret

He is the third of four U.S. service members — two SEALs and two Marines — to face a court martial for the death of Melgar.

Coast Guard News

USS Shiloh moored pierside in Yokosuka, Japan

Family Separation Allowance Now Covers COVID-19 Restriction of Movement Orders on Ships

The new rule mainly affects Navy, Marine and Coast Guard members

The unicorn float enjoys swim call with its shipmates from the USCGC Kimball in August 2020. (U.S. Coast Guard/Coast Guard Kimball)

You Can Find These Surprising Artifacts at the Coast Guard's Museum

The Coast Guard Museum opened its archives to Instagram, showing off some of it most interesting artifacts.

Is the US Losing the Fight for Arctic Dominance?

Things are heating up in the Arctic -- literally and figuratively. As ice melts and new sea lanes open, the region is the...