Sergeant Major Felicia Maurine Tanksley enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, in February 2007 and was assigned to Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. She graduated in May 2007 as a Private First Class and attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at the School of Infantry-East, Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon completion of MCT, she was transferred to the Administration School aboard Camp Johnson where she earned her primary MOS of 0151, Administrative Specialist in August 2007.
In August of 2007, she received orders to Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans, LA. In November of 2007, she was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and in December of 2008, she was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In December of 2010, she made a latmove into the 0241 MOS and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January of 2011. In April of 2011, she attended Tactical Imagery Analysis Course in Ft. Belvoir, VA until August of 2011 where she earned the MOS of 0241.
In November 2011, she executed orders to VMU-3 in Twentynine Palms, CA where she served as an Imagery Analyst in the S-2. In October 2012, she deployed with VMU-3 to Helmand Province in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and served as the Night Shift Watch Chief. In January of 2013, she supported exercise Lava Viper on Big Island, HI as an Imagery Analyst.
In July of 2014, she attended Basic Recruiter Course in San Diego, CA to become a Basic Recruiter. Upon successful completion of Basic Recruiter School in August 2014, she was assigned to Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, Recruiting Sub-Station New Orleans, LA. She was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in November 2015. During her time on Recruiting Duty, she served as a Basic Recruiter in New Orleans until May 2016, served as the New Orleans MEPS Liaison until April 2017, and then served as the SNCOIC of Recruiting Sub-Station New Orleans until December 2017.
In January of 2018, she reported for duty at 3d Intelligence Battalion in Okinawa, Japan to serve as a Production Chief in Imagery Interpretation Platoon with Operations Company. In May 2018, she was transferred to serve the billet as the Company Gunnery Sergeant with Operations Company and was promoted to rank of Gunnery Sergeant in January 2019. In January 2020, she reported for duty at Marine Corps Intelligence Activity in Quantico, VA to serve as the Analytic Capabilities Integration Division Operations/Integration Chief. In January 2021, she began serving as the Headquarters and Service Company Senior Enlisted Leader.
In May of 2023, she was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant. In June of 2023, she reported for duty at Marine Corps Detachment Fort Lee in Fort Lee, VA where she served as the Alpha Company Senior Enlisted Leader. In July of 2025, First Sergeant Tanksley moved to Bravo Company to serve as the Bravo Company Senior Enlisted Leader. Sergeant Major Tanksley was promoted to her current rank in February 2026 and assumed her post as the Recruiting Station Sergeant Major for Recruiting Station Richmond, VA in April 2026.
Sergeant Major Tanksley’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Sergeant Major Tanksley received her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice in March 2015, her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in August 2018 and her Master of Science in Homeland Security in June 2024.