Ashton Kroner is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Veteran Outreach Director of the Road Home Program at Rush University, part of the Wounded Warrior Project's Warrior Care Network.
Ashton served in the United States Marine Corps for five years as a Field Radio Operator with 8th Communications Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. She deployed in 2009 in support of OIF receiving orders as a Lioness attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines in Al-Taqaddum Air Base. In 2011 she deployed to Camp Leatherneck in support of OEF with 8th Communications Battalion. From 2012 to 2015 she was a Recruiter stationed with 1st Marine Corps District RS Albany, New York.
During her time in service, she suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and now lives with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She says, “As a Marine Corps veteran I have seen and experienced firsthand the challenges of coming back home. I struggled with finding my purpose outside of the Marines. Since coming to the Road Home I have seen the veterans that come through our program leave in a better place than when they first walked through our doors. I have heard the testimonies from the veteran’s family and friends of how they have hope again. The Road Home Program has given me the opportunity to help the veteran community, it has given me a purpose.”
After her time in service, Ashton completed her Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, graduating as a Summa Cum Laude in July 2018. She worked at a medical device company as the Director of Recruiting prior to coming to the Road Home Program. She is a member of the Women Marines Association IL-2 Blanche S. Osborne Detachment, and the McHenry Detachment #1009 Marine Corps League.