Lieutenant Colonel Aixa R. Dones enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1994, and attended recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduation in August of 1994, Private First Class Dones attended Cryptologic Technician Operator Course, Corey Station, Pensacola, Florida. Lance Corporal Dones then reported to L Company, Marine Support Battalion, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where she served as a Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Operator. She participated in Operations SEA SIGNAL and RESTORE HOPE and was then transferred to Marine Corps Intelligence Activity, Quantico, Virginia where she served as a SIGINT Operator and Special Security Officer. During this tour, Corporal Dones was selected as the Marine Corps Combat Development Command Noncommissioned Officer of the Year 1996.
In December 1997, Sergeant Dones was ordered to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy where she served as a receptionist until April 1999. She was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago from May 1999 to March 2002 when she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant Dones graduated The Basic School in December 2002 with follow on orders to the Adjutant’s Course, Camp Johnson, North Carolina. She received orders to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, Yuma, Arizona in March 2003. During this tour, she served as the Officer in Charge, Remain Behind Element during the unit’s deployment to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. She received orders to 3D Marine Aircraft Wing, Miramar, California in March 2004 where she served as the Human Affairs and Family Readiness Officer. First Lieutenant Dones was then assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16 where she served as the Adjutant and deployed to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07 from January 2006 to February 2007. Captain Dones was then selected for and attended Expeditionary Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia (2007-2008). That summer, Captain Dones augmented an Officer Candidate School summer cycle as a Platoon Commander with follow on orders to Enlisted Retention (MMEA-6), HQMC. Captain Dones served as the Subsequent and First Term Alignment Plans Officer until she received orders to Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, South Carolina in June 2010. During her tour at Fourth Battalion, she served as a Series Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander. Then, Major Dones was assigned to Support Battalion where she served as the Battalion Executive Officer. Major Dones was also selected as the Marine Corps recipient of the 2013 Latina Style Distinguished Military Service Award during this tour.
Major Dones was ordered to be the Deputy Director, Commandant of the Marine Corps Protocol, Washington D.C. in June 2013. Following, she attended Naval Command and Staff College at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island in November 2014 where she received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. Following, Major Dones assumed duties as the Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Los Angeles from July 2015 to July 2018. Lieutenant Colonel Dones received orders to 1st Marine Division in July 2018 where she initially served as the Command Inspector General and the Assistant Chief of Staff G-7 and then as the Deputy, Assistant Chief of Staff G-1. Lieutenant Colonel Dones attended the United States Army War College, Academic Year 2021 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and earned a Masters in Strategic Studies. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University.
Lieutenant Colonel Dones’ personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (Three Gold Stars), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Three Gold Stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Two Gold Stars), and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (One Bronze Star).