VICE PRESIDENT
Sergeant Major (Ret) Melissa Jones joined the US Army in 1990. After completing basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and Combat Medic school a Fort Sam Houston, Texas she was stationed at Fort Meade, MD. Melissa decided to obtain another MOS as an Animal Care Specialist and was transferred to the 64th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), Stuttgart Germany.
In 1996, Melissa transitioned into the US Army Reserves and was a member of the 10/108th Medical Battalion, Gainesville, Florida. Longing to be with family again, in 1998 Melissa returned to New York and held several positions in units around the tri-state area to include being a medic with the 7237th Medical Support Unit, a Senior Animal Care NCO, 4220th US Army Hospital, an Instructor/Writer, 98th Division (Institutional Training), First Sergeant, Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 8th Medical Brigade, an
Operations NCO, 8th Medical Brigade, an Operations G37 Training SGM, 80th Training Command (TASS), North Chesterfield, VA and finally Training SGM with the 3D BDE, ATL DIV, 75TH TNG CMD, Fort Dix, NJ.
Throughout her time in the Reserves, Melissa mobilized to Stuttgart, Germany as a Senior Animal Care NCO and to Fort Sam Houston serving as an EMT instructor to deploying medics. Additionally, Melissa went on 2 humanitarian missions to Guyana and Honduras. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Melissa deployed in 2010 to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait serving as the NCOIC Current Operations for the 3rd MDSC OCP (FWD). During this deployment Melissa also oversaw the movement of all Veterinary personnel in theater and acted as a medical liaison taking trips to Iraq and Germany to transport patients.
Melissa’s numerous military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Army Reserve Commendation Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal w/Star, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal w/ Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Silver Hour Glass, M-Device, and #2, NCO Professional Development Ribbon #4, Army Service Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge, Driver’s Badge w/ Wheel and Mechanic Bars, Expert Rifleman’s Badge.
Melissa currently works for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General as a Senior Auditor. Melissa has a master’s degree in Accounting with a minor in Taxation and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. She is married and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Melissa devotes her time to her family, volunteering and loves to travel. She’s a founding member of the NABMW Brooklyn Chapter and is currently the Treasurer for the National NABMW organization and the Brooklyn chapter Vice President.