Retired U.S. Army Colonel Willette Alston-Hockaday is a decorated veteran from Awendaw, South Carolina, who rose to full bird colonel through distinguished service at the Pentagon and Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station.
Military Career
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant from Johnson C. Smith University in 1997, she served in key roles including Executive Officer in Heidelberg, Germany; Operations Officer at Raleigh MEPS; Division G1 Officer Manager and company commander with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart; Battalion S1 and XO in recruiting battalions; Brigade S1 at Fort Benning; Special Assistant in the Pentagon; Professor of Military Science at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; and commander of the Chicago MEPS. Her awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), and multiple commendation and achievement medals.
Current Role and Memoir
Now a JROTC instructor, she shares her journey in the memoir “From Crack to Colonel,” detailing her rise from rock bottom to leadership success. She recently discussed it with News 2’s Octavia Mitchell, highlighting her inspirational path.
