Amanda Haines served in Iraq as an intelligence analyst for the Marine Corps from 2003-2008. She rose to the rank of sergeant.
By the time she was deployed to Fallujah, the larger conflicts were over, and she says she was there to work with the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
Haines joined the military the summer after she graduated high school. From learning to manage finances to dealing with being away from home, Haines said she grew up in the Marine Corps.
“I think I joined for myself, but once I was in, it was important to me to make my family proud,” she said.
Haines now works in the banking industry in Pittsburgh as she pursues a master’s degree.
Haines was interviewed by CLCV team member and former U.S. Marine Joseph Cooper. Read more about Veterans' Stories: Project 412 and its participating team members.