Erlene Thomas

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Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erlene A. Thomas joined the Marine Corps on January 26, 1973. She served from 1973 to 1985, seven years active and five reserve, during which time she participated in many "firsts" for female Marines. She was the youngest Woman Marine Drill Instructor to serve on the field, as well in the first class of women candidates at the elite Drill Instructor Academy at Parris Island in 1975.

In 1979 then Sergeant Thomas was admitted to and graduated from the Search and Rescue Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Sgt Thomas was the first woman to fly as a crewmember for a CH46 Sea Knight, as the SAR Swimmer. Sgt Thomas graduated in 2nd place in the prestigious school separated by one tenth of a point for first place. In 1979 women were not authorized to wear Crewmember (Flight) Wings, but Sgt Thomas did qualify for the coveted award.

Before exiting the Corps, Sgt Thomas did a tour on Okinawa, Japan. She was "deep selected" and promoted to Warrant Officer in the USMCR (active), with only eight years service, Sgt, as a Crash Crew Officer. CWO2 Thomas was respected and well thought of by her Marines, and she was extremely honored to be a United States Marine.