Gina Harkins

Gina Harkins previously covered 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.

Latest Articles

Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher and team members on deployment.

Trump to Restore SEAL Gallagher's Rank, Dismiss Soldiers' War Crimes Charges: Report

President Donald Trump will intervene in the cases against three troops who were accused of war crimes, Fox News reported.

Why the USS Cole's Commander Pushed to Keep His Crew Together After Deadly Bombing

The officers of the USS Cole reflect on the 20th anniversary of the deadly suicide bomber attack on the ship.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David Berger aboard USS Makin Island

Range of Punishments 'On the Table' for Marine Leaders After Fatal AAV Accident

Berger said when he read the findings of the first probe, "it was pretty clear to me we needed to do a follow-on...

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan.

Fully Vaccinated Sailors Can Make Some Port Calls, Ditch Masks and Cut Quarantines

Anyone who has declined the vaccine or hasn't built up antibodies through an infection will still be required to sequester...

Royal navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

'Nicest Ship I Have Been On': Marine Colonel Sounds Off on British Aircraft Carrier

A Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter detachment is officially underway on a British aircraft carrier for the first time ever.

Marines pose for a photograph in front of the last tank assigned to 1st Tank Battalion.

'You Always Demonstrate True Grit:' Marines' Famous 1st Tank Battalion Folds as Mission Ends

The deactivation ceremony symbolized a bittersweet end to the mission for 1st Marine Division.

artist rendering of the guided-missile frigate FFG(X)

The Navy Will Pay $554M for Another Next-Gen Frigate, Called USS Congress

The Wisconsin-based Fincantieri Marinette Marine was awarded a contract to build the future guided-missile frigate Congress.

Forty-two ships and submarines in formation during RIMPAC Exercise 2014.

Biggest Navy Exercise in a Generation Will Include 25,000 Personnel Across 17 Time Zones

Aircraft carriers, submarines, planes, unmanned vessels, and about 25,000 personnel will participate in Large Scale Exercise...

U.S. Marine Maj. Christopher Warnagiris.

Active-Duty Marine Major Arrested After Allegedly Pushing Police Officer in Capitol Riot

Maj. Christopher Warnagiris was arrested after federal agents said he broke into the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot.

Cars approach the gate at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Army Fort Jackson Trainee Arrested After Allegedly Hijacking a School Bus Full of Children

Law enforcement officials say he'll now face multiple kidnapping charges.

Marines Sank a Moving Ship When They Fired a Navy Missile from a Drone Truck

The Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System can launch naval strike missiles from the back of a modified JLTV to...

ultrasound of a Marine participant with the COVID-19 Health Action Response for Marines study

Hundreds of Marines Get Heart Exams in Study About COVID's Effects on Young People

More than 460 Marines so far have volunteered to participate in the second portion of the CHARM study.

25th annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally.

Vets Group Celebrates New DC Motorcycle Ride Location After Pentagon Rejection

The new organizers for a massive motorcycle ride through the nation's capital say it will now start at RFK Stadium.

Army Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-binoculars

Marine Rifle Squads Will Test the Army's New High-Powered Night Vision Goggle-Binoculars

Marine rifle squads will evaluate the Army's Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular, which soldiers have been using since...

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft conducts nighttime aerial refueling training operation.

Marines Will Make Reports on Fatal Accidents Available in New 'Mishap Library'

The library will provide easily accessible vignettes for leaders to review "what wrong looks like."

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Most Popular Military News

Airman palletizes ammunition, weapons and equipment bound for Ukraine

8,500 US Troops Put on Alert for Possible Deployment as Ukraine Crisis Deepens

The alert order was issued to units now in the U.S. that would be part of a NATO force if the alliance decides to activate a...

Army: Man Who Breached Gate, Tried to Ram Police Shot Dead

The shooting happened early when the man drove toward Fort Knox police officers after initially fleeing from them.

U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mr. Mark Takano

House Approves Bill to Automatically Enroll Vets in VA Health Care

Supporters of the bill touted it as a common sense measure that will help ease the transition to civilian life.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson transits the Philippine Sea

F-35 Crash Off Carl Vinson Is the Ship's 5th Major Mishap in 2 Months

The accident left seven sailors injured while the pilot safely ejected and was later recovered.

Lance Cpl. Jonathan E. Gierke and Pfc. Zachary W. Riffle

Details Emerge in Deadly Rollover Crash that Led to Charges Against Driver as Marines Identify Victims

The Marine Corps identified the two Marines who lost their lives as Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gierke and Pfc. Zachary Riffle.

National Guardsman stands guard along the Rio Grande

More than 1,000 Guard Troops Got the Wrong Pay on Border Mission

The pay issues range from soldiers being shortchanged, sometimes by thousands of dollars, to minor discrepancies.

Latest Military Videos

US State: 'No Daylight' Between Allies on Russia

The United States' State Department says there is "no daylight" when it comes to Western allies dealing with Russia...

Pentagon Puts 8,500 Troops on 'Heightened Alert'

At President Joe Biden's direction, the Pentagon is putting about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment...

US Troops Load Up Weapons, Ammunition for Ukraine

U.S. airmen at bases in California and Delaware load up military weaponry and supplies to aid Ukraine as tensions...

Army News

National Guard member holds up a sign at a coronavirus testing site

National Guard Sees Troops Reupping Despite COVID, Hard Year

Only two states — Ohio and California — did not make or exceed their retention goals for the Army Guard.

U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman

Capitol Police Officer Who Steered Mob Away from Senators Credits Army Training

Eugene Goodman has been hailed as a hero since a reporter posted video of him facing down rioters who had stormed the Capitol...

U.S. Army Gen. Richard D. Clarke, U.S. Special Operations Command

Head of Special Operations Command Tests Positive for COVID-19

Gen. Richard Clarke, who oversees the special operations forces of all the military branches, is working remotely and...

Navy News

Sailors prepare COVID-19 vaccine booster shots aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

Navy Boots 23 Sailors For Refusing Vaccines as Leaders Push Rule Changes for Next Stage of Pandemic

The latest batch of sailors brings the total number separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine to 45.

Naval Special Warfare Group 2 conducts military dive operations

Navy Seals Stop Training in State Parks as Locals Sue Over 'War Games'

Navy SEALs have conducted cold water training and other special operations exercises in the state's coastal parks for more...

Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations

Drastic Cuts to Recruiting, Moves and New Ship Delays Are Inevitable Without a Budget, Navy Says

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday warned a CR would mean cutting the number of new recruits for the service to 23...

Air Force News

U.S. Airmen and U.S. Marines guide Afghan evacuees aboard a C-17 Globemaster

After 5 Months, No Answers from the Air Force on Afghans Who Died Clinging to a Kabul Evacuation Flight

A spokeswoman for the Air Force's Office of Special Investigations said that "details cannot be released at this time,"...

This photo provided by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces shows Islamic State group fighters.

US-Backed Fighters Chase ISIS Gunmen Near Prison in Syria

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the U.S. used airstrikes to support the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Soldiers participate in a mass reenlistment on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

35 Incredible Photos from a Chaotic Year for the US Military

From the nation’s capital to Afghanistan, service members were asked to defend America, Americans and American ideals around...

Marine Corps News

Details Emerge in Deadly Rollover Crash that Led to Charges Against Driver as Marines Identify Victims

The Marine Corps identified the two Marines who lost their lives as Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gierke and Pfc. Zachary Riffle.

R. Lee Ermey gives an "Oorah" to Marines and sailors aboard the USS Iwo Jima in the Persian Gulf during a Moral, Welfare and Recreation event in 2008. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)

5 Little-Known Facts About R. Lee Ermey, the Military’s Favorite Gunny

Ermey didn’t go right into acting and if it weren’t for his Marine Corps-level determination, we might never know him at all...

Alec Baldwin performs emcee duties at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala

Alec Baldwin Sued for Defamation by Family of Slain Marine

The widow and two sisters of a U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan are suing Alec Baldwin.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guard Searches for 39 Missing People After Capsized Boat Found near Florida

A good Samaritan called the Coast Guard early Tuesday after rescuing a man clinging to the boat.

Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 helicopter crew arrive at a cruise ship.

Pilot, Passenger Presumed Dead in Louisiana Helicopter Crash

The Coast Guard coordinated the dispatch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a special-purpose shallow water boat to...

U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) transits the Taiwan Strait

On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do

Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there...