United States Marine Corps. Captain Yessenia Buckley was born in Mexico City, Mexico where she was the eldest of four siblings. When Buckley was six years old, her family moved to Miami, Florida where she lived for most of her life up until college. Growing up Buckley loved playing sports, especially cross country and track and field. She also enjoyed listening to music and going to the beach.

Buckley started her career with the USMC in November of 2006 and served with Headquarters Battalion 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Camp Foster. Buckley was also appointed to the Military Occupational Specialty of Adjutant in 2008 after a successful application and acceptance into the Enlisted to Commissioning Program. Buckley loved being able to help others and knowing that she was making a difference.

In 2008, Buckley was participating in a military training exercise at The Basic School located at Camp Barrett in Quantico, Virginia. On a dark walk back to the barracks with her platoon, Buckley recalls tripping and rolling down a hill. Buckley sustained injuries to her L4, L5, and S1 vertebrae, nerve damage to her lower extremities, and neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction.

Currently USMC Captain Yessenia Buckley lives with her husband of 16 years, Michael, and their children, Caleb and Sofia.

Buckley would like people to know, “The freedom in allowing people to help you and finding joy in the things that you love to do may be in a different way, but still rewarding. You are not alone! You also never know how sharing your story will help others in their own struggles.”