Corporal Helps Cancer Patients

By Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Katesha Washington
2nd Marine Logistics Group

March 31, 2010 - Dependable. Determined. Motivated. Those are just three of the many words Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Derrick Hayes, assistant staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the flammables section for 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, uses to describe Cpl. Dana Hineline. "She is just simply outstanding," he said. "If you need something to get done the right way, the first time, give it to Corporal Hineline, and she will make it happen."

Her strong work ethic and aggressive attitude toward mission accomplishment earned Hineline a meritorious promotion to corporal and are part of the reason why she has been nominated for a meritorious promotion to sergeant.

Hineline first proved her mettle during a deployment to Iraq with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 from August 2008 to March 2009, where she was in charge of communications for her squad and taught classes on the Blue Force Tracker equipment. She also taught courses for countering roadside bombs.

After volunteering to stay in Iraq past her required time, Hineline was selected to deploy to Afghanistan from November to January to be responsible for shipping gear to units.

But the 21-year-old Marine is known for more than her dogged determination and drive to exceed expectations. She is also known as a philanthropist in her community. As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, she stays awake for more than 24 hours during the annual walkathon to raise money and support for cancer patients.

"By helping cancer patients, I have learned how to open my arms to anyone in need of help," she explained. "It really hurts to know I can live my life healthy and strong while others are counting down their days to survive. The least I can do is spill my heart out to those individuals."

Hineline also gives her time and money to animal shelters and rescue and adoption agencies. Her goal, she said, is to do whatever she can to make the world a better place, if only with small acts of kindness.

"I think community service starts in small towns and makes a big difference in your country," she said. "There are so many things you can do to help better this world and by getting involved, you can meet new people and have fun when it comes to stepping up and leading."

Hineline said her go-getter attitude stems from her interaction with her Marine Corps Junior ROTC instructor in high school. Encouragement from Gunnery Sgt. Lyndon Smith, a retired Marine, was the main reason Hineline joined the Marine Corps.

"He always encouraged me to better myself," she said. "He taught me everything I know when it comes to drill and discipline. So every time I reach a goal or accomplish a hard task, I make a call to thank him for making me such a good Marine."

In addition to her community service and long work hours, Hineline is working toward her goal of continuing to help people when she retires. She is learning American sign language through a course from Coastal Carolina Community College. Her drive and determination to be a well-rounded Marine, she said, also is preparing her to become a well-rounded woman.

"A real woman always has a goal," she said. "She knows what she wants, and she strives to better herself. In order for a female to really get respect, she needs to hold herself to a higher standard."

Hineline said the next step on her journey is to become a drill instructor.