THE BRIDGE BUILDER

USMC Veteran Tee Marie Hanible, as profiled by Michelle DeHaven

Creating Pathways of Purpose for Veterans and Youth

GySgt Tawanda "Tee" Marie Hanible's story begins long before the military.

"My story did not begin with stability or privilege," she said. "I was placed into foster care at just 10 months old after the death of my father. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago surrounded by trauma, violence, instability, and survival."

By age 16, Tee had survived a gunshot wound and been removed from Chicago Public Schools. Many people looked at her circumstances and assumed her future had already been written. "They were wrong."

At 17, she joined the United States Marine Corps. "I knew I needed to change the trajectory of my life," she said. "The Marine Corps gave me structure, discipline, leadership, and purpose, but more importantly, it taught me that resilience is a decision."

She would go on to become a Marine Gunnery Sergeant and deploy to Iraq in 2003 as the only female in her unit. The lessons she learned during that journey continue to shape her life today. "I know what it feels like to fight for your future before anyone else sees your potential."

After leaving the military, she discovered that service was never something she intended to leave behind. "The uniform may come off, but the mission does not." That belief inspired her to found Operation Heroes Connect in 2011 while still serving on active duty.

"I saw Veterans returning home with leadership, discipline, and purpose still inside of them, but without opportunities to continue serving in meaningful ways," she said. "At the same time, I saw young people growing up without mentorship, guidance, or support systems strong enough to interrupt the cycles they were trapped in."

"So I built the bridge." Today, Tee's work spans Veteran advocacy, youth mentorship, public speaking, and community outreach. Along the way, she has gained national visibility as a co-star on FOX's American Grit, become a bestselling author through The Warrior Code, and received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for her service and community impact.

But she views recognition differently than many people might expect. "It made me realize that visibility

means responsibility," she said. "I never wanted visibility just for attention. I wanted to use it to create access, opportunities, and pathways for others."

Her mission remains rooted in showing what is possible after adversity.

"People need to see Veterans leading," she said. "They need to see someone who came from trauma and adversity still rise, still serve, and still build something impactful."

When asked what message she would leave with fellow Veterans, her answer reflects the same determination that has guided her entire life. "Your value did not expire when your military service ended. You are still a leader. You are still needed. You still have purpose."

And for anyone facing challenges of their own, she offers one final reminder: "Never allow where you come from to determine how far you can go."