Jacquelyne Nichols
Otero County District Coordinator
Jacquelyne Nichols served 11 years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), flying both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft: the T-34C Turbo Mentor, TH-57C/B Bell Jet Ranger, CH-53E Super Stallion, and UC-35D Cessna Citation Encore. While flying the CH-53E she did a combat deployment to Afghanistan where she earned a Strike Flight Air Medal with Numeral 3, and completed a deployment to Okinawa, Japan. She deployed twice to Al Udeid, Qatar while flying the UC-35D. After leaving active duty, Jacquelyne transitioned into the USMC Reserves and continued to fly the UC-35D as an instructor pilot out of Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for two more years. Jacquelyne now serves as a Marine Liaison Officer for 4th MARLE.
In August of 2020, Jacquelyne moved with her husband to La Luz, NM. His family has a ranch where they raise cattle and have apple and cherry orchards. Jacquelyne helps on the ranch, while tending to her growing herd of over 25 animals including horses, goats, and mini donkeys!
Prior to joining the Marine Corps, Jacquelyne earned her Bachelor of Science degree as a Health Fitness Specialist from East Carolina University and worked as a Health and Wellness Director for the YMCA of Suffolk, Virginia. In May of 2022, Jacquelyne completed a master’s degree in public leadership through the University of San Francisco, as she aspires to get more involved in advocacy work. Five days after graduating with her masters degree she began her career with American Airlines as an A320 First Officer. She served as the President of the Land of Enchantment Chapter of Women in Aviation International from November of 2020 to July of 2024. She is a member of 100 Women Who Care Alamogordo, and serves on the Board of Directors for the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation in Alamogordo.