Biography

Headquarters & Support Battalion
LtCol Leslie Harkness
Lieutenant Colonel Harkness was born in Brownsville, TX.  She graduated from Villanova University on a NROTC scholarship with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.  She received her commission as a Second Lieutenant in May 2006.  Upon completion of the Basic School and the Adjutant’s Course she reported to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, NC in May 2007 to serve as the S-1 Officer.  After deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008 with 3/10, LtCol Harkness was ordered to Headquarters, 10th Marine Regiment in February 2009 to serve as the S-1 Officer.  In July 2010, LtCol Harkness reported to Headquarters Squadron, MCAS New River, NC to serve as the MCAS Adjutant.  She deployed in a JIA to NTMA CSTC-A as an advisor to the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in April 2011. 

In September 2013, LtCol Harkness reported to Marine Barracks Washington D.C.  where she served as the Protocol Officer.  In August 2015, she reported back to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC.  During her tour at 2nd Marine Division, she served as the Division Adjutant, Division Protocol Officer, and Division G-1 Plans, Operations, and Exercise Officer.  In January 2018, LtCol Harkness reported to Wounded Warrior Regiment, Quantico, VA, where she served as the Warrior Athletic Reconditioning Program (WAR-P) Manager and Future Operations Officer.  She also completed her master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.  In July 2020, LtCol Harkness Reported to Marine Corps Command and Staff College where she graduated and received a master’s degree in Military Studies in June 2021.  Upon completion of CSC, she reported to Personnel Administration School in Camp Lejeune, NC where she served as Battalion XO and Primary Instructor/Faculty Advisor for the Manpower Officer Course. In June 2022, LtCol Harkness assumed the AC/S G-1 billet at U.S. Marine Forces, Special Operations Command until July 2024. She currently serves as SOI-E, H&S Battalion Commanding Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Harkness’ personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (w/ 2 gold stars), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/ 2 gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. 

DoD CIO Accessibility Statement

The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended in 1998. DoD websites use the WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standard.

For persons with disabilities experiencing difficulties accessing content on a particular website, please use the DoD Section 508 issue reporting form, available at: https://dodcio.defense.gov/DoDSection508/Section-508-Form/ 

In this form, please indicate the nature of your accessibility issue or problem and your contact information so we can address your issue or question.

For more information about Section 508, please visit the DoD Section 508 Website, available at: https://dodcio.defense.gov/DoDSection508/
School of Infantry - East