Elise Dent: Ms Veteran America 2021 - Full Bio
Branch Chief of Soldier and Family Programs, Elise Dent, epitomizes servant leadership to the citizen Soldiers of the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG). She tirelessly works to support Soldiers through each phase of deployment linking resources to spouses and children, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for Heroes, SHEroes and their families. Elise Dent was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Charlotte Hall, Maryland. Her athletic prowess in high school carried over into her university years aiding her during the Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) program at Morgan State University. Faced with financial hardships, Elise contracted as a cadet and joined the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG). In July of 2003, she attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Gordon, GA to be a Signal Support Systems Specialist (31U). Upon completion of her initial training, Elise returned to Morgan State University and contracted in the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). She was a recipient of the Minuteman Scholarship and commissioned into the MDARNG in January of 2009, as the Distinguished Military Graduate.
Elise has served in key leadership positions as a platoon leader, executive officer, and company commander twice. Her ultimate passion is to inform and educate and she did exactly that when she was the state’s Education Service Officer. In this role, she explained education benefits and resources available to current drilling Soldiers. Her current role as the Branch Chief of Soldier & Family Support Services allows her to continue to inform and educate Soldiers, spouses and families of educational, youth, family, and financial resources available.
Elise’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from Morgan State University and a Master’s of Science in Health Science from Towson University. Elise is an active member of the Association of the United States Army, United States Army Medical Department Regiment, National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), National Guard Association of Maryland (NGAM), The National Board of the ROCKS, Inc., Morgan State Alumni Association (life member) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter.
Elise fulfills the true definition of a “Soccer Mom'' with her husband by her side, as both of their daughters play on year round soccer teams in Southern Maryland. In their free time they enjoy combat marksmanship training, hiking, and snowboarding. She is an active volunteer at her church, daughters’ school and for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
As the newly crowned Ms. Veteran America 2021, Elise is passionate to ensure her fellow Sister Warriors are educated, empowered and confident to transition from military to civilian life mentally, emotionally, and financially stable.
