Ramsey, Kelley Oral History

ramsey_kelley_03192002

As of the interiew date, was the Marketing and Advertising Chief for the U.S. Marine Corps' Western Region, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. She graduated from recruit training, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC in 1986 and served as a hometown recruiter assistant for 30 days in Benton, PA. In 1986, Kelley attended the Defense Information School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. and became a U.S. Marine Corps combat correspondent. Her duty assignment was in Okinawa, Japan writing stories and taking photographs of Marines in action for the Third Marine Division, Third Force Service Support Group and Third Marine Aircraft Wing. In 1988 she attended the Third Marine Division Non-Commissioned Officer School, graduating with honors and in 1989, she served as a public affiars non-commissioned officer for Sixth Marine Corps District, Atlanta, GA and editor for a district-wide recruiting magazine. In 1990 Kelley attended the Airborne Course, Fort Benning, GA and was the first female Marine combat correspondent to earn "wings" for jumping out of planes to take photos. In 1991 Kelley was named the 6th Marine Corps District's Athlete of the Year and 6th Marine Corps District's Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter. In 1992 she served as a reporter for the base's newspaper, The Scout, at Camp Pendleton, CA. She also served and reported to 3rd Batallion, 1st Marines during the LA Riots and won awards for her work. She married Billey Ramsey, a marine infantryman, and they have two sons. She bcame the press chief for the Scout and was Media Chief for Camp Pendleton, CA, serving as a spokesperson for the base. She has earned Navy Commendation Medals and Navy Achievement Medals for her work throughout her service. In 1994 she began working at Recruiting Station Omaha managing marketing, advertising, and public affairs for the region. Next she served in New Orleans at the Marine Forces Reserve Headquarters as the Public Affairs Chief. She traveled extensively throughout her career and was part of a joint military team responsible for the opening of the D-Day museum, serving as the military commentator for the nationally telecasted D-Day Parade. She began serving alongside drill instructors of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego as the senior enlisted for the Public Affairs Office. Now she has been transferred to a newy created billet: The Marketing and Advertising Chief for the Western Recruiting Region. She is also part of the creative team advising on a redesign of www.Marines.com and "The Climb" Marine commercial. She works closely with three Marine Corps Recruiting Districts, the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Quantico, and J. Walter Thompson (the Corps' advertising agency, headquartered in Atlanta, GA.