Gabbard spent more than two decades in the military before becoming the Intelligence Chief.
While serving in the Hawaii State Legislature in 2003, Gabbard took the oath of enlistment into the Hawaii Army National Guard and underwent nine weeks of basic training.
“In history, some generations have been given everything, and now in this generation where there’s a war on terrorism, I’m honored to have the opportunity to give something,” she said at the time. “I promise my constituents that my service to the military will not in any way get in the way of my serving them.”
A few months later, the Army Reserve soldier joined the 29th Brigade Combat Team as a rank specialist with a 29th Support Battalion medical company.
“As a proud local girl, former state representative, and a soldier fighting against terrorism in Iraq, this was truly an honor and a treasured experience. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” she expressed, per The Honolulu Advertiser.
The combat veteran had a total of three deployments to the Middle East and Africa during her military career. She became the first woman to receive an award of appreciation from the Kuwaiti military after leading a Military Police platoon in Kuwait.
In 2007, she graduated from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at Fort McClellan, Ala., making history as the first woman in the academy’s 50-year history to be named distinguished honor graduate.
She also held the role of legislative aide to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka from 2007 to 2009.
Gabbard currently serves as battalion commander of the 1-354 Regiment in Tulsa, Oklahoma.