Major Marisol A. Chalas, decorated pilot with nearly 26 years of service, was born in Bani, Dominican Republic and at age nine, moved with her family to the U.S. to reside in Massachusetts. Chalas’s parents were her greatest role models, often working two jobs each to take care of their children. She says, “We learned very young that in order to be successful you have to work hard at it, nothing is handed to you.”
Major Chalas began her military career as an enlisted soldier in the Army in July 1990. She was among the top graduates at Fort Rucker Army Aviation School and in 2001 received her commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Aviation branch from the Georgia Military Institute Officer Candidate School.
She has served in various leadership positions, including Battle Captain and Platoon Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Aviation Liaison Officer with the Combined Joint Task Force for the New Horizons Humanitarian Assistance project in Barahona, Dominican Republic.
In addition she has served as Aviation Readiness Officer and Company Commander with FORSCOM (US Army Forces Command) as well as Aviation Force Integrator for USARC (US Army Reserve Command) G-3/5/7 Aviation Directorate.
In addition to her BS in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Chalas holds an MBA from J. Mack Robinson School of Business, Georgia State University, and a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University.
She also completed the Strategic Fellows Program at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC., is a certified Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt, and a member of the National Scholars Honor Society.
Chalas was the Battalions Operations Officer for the 158th Aviation Regiment in Conroe, Texas. From May 2016 to January 2018, she was a U.S. Army Congressional Fellow on Capitol Hill as part of the Army Congressional Fellowship Program.
She served as the Congressional Budget Liaison in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army Financial Management & Comptroller, in Washington, D.C. and since 2018 as a lieutenant colonel.
Major Chalas holds an admiration and respect for the Women Airforce Service Pilots; and she is indebted to the WASP for the opportunities their service opened up for her:
“Hispanic Americans make up the blueprint of a diverse and unique culture,” said Chalas. “They have often made gut-wrenching sacrifices, faced isolation, experienced persecution, and dealt with discrimination, all to make a new life for themselves and their families.” Said Chalas.
Speaking about the heroic sacrifices of Hispanic American service members at the National Reconnaissance Office Headquarters; Chalas spoke of the 65th Infantry Regiment, which was nicknamed ‘The Borinqueneers’ from the original Taino name of the island Borinquen.
The unit was predominantly a Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army that fought during both World Wars and the Korean War as the only active duty segregated Hispanic military unit.
These soldiers not only faced segregation and discrimination, but were also awarded far too late for their courage, valor, and sacrifice in combat. Chalas reminded the audience to remember these Americans when the audience honors past American heroes.
With regard to her personal journey as a Hispanic American, Chalas attributed her success to the influence and support of her family, friends, and mentors. She is a proud Hispanic American who has achieved the American Dream.
As she parted, Chalas left the audience with a challenge. She asked the NRO workforce to be leaders in their communities and to take charge of their lives and give back to those around them through volunteering, mentoring, and coaching.
“We are stronger because of diversity,” said Chalas. “We must strive for equality.”
Her military education includes Aviation Officer Basic Course, UH-60 Aviator Qualification Course, Aviation Captain’s Career Course; Intermediate Level Education (ILE), the Army Force Management Course, the Advance Operations Course (AOC) and the Strategic Fellows Program at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC.
Chalas is a certified Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt. Shas an extensive corporate career record with vast international experience. She worked for GE where she held a number of senior management roles.
She worked in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Chalas is a graduate of GE’s Nuclear Technical Leadership Program. LTC Chalas also worked for Booz Allen Hamilton as a Process Improvement Consultant.
Her awards and decorations include Meritorious Service Medal (3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver Hourglass/M Device), Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, FORSCOM Iron woman Award, GEN George J. Hearn Trophy, Senior Aviator Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.
She is a recipient of the Propeller Club Port of Boston Academic Award. LTC Chalas was named as Maritime Person of the Year by Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2016.
She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. LTC Chalas received the USCIS Outstanding American by Choice award in 2017.
In March2021, she was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Dominican President Luis Abinader. She was also declared as Distinguished Citizen by the Dominican Senate and House of Representatives.
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