Marlee Mann hails from Glenmora, Louisiana - a place she calls a one-red-light town - and was born with an insatiable desire to see the world. At 21 years old, she got her wish when she moved to Korea.
But living on a military base overseas can be challenging for a military spouse. Without speaking the local language, job opportunities dwindle, and on the installation, the competition is fierce as hundreds of spouses compete for limited employment opportunities.
“Being in a foreign country, the opportunities for employment drastically decrease,” said Marlee.
She adapted the best she could, teaching English at a local school in Gimpo, South Korea. Marlee found the career rewarding, although she never truly felt comfortable in the role.
That’s when she saw a Facebook post about the American Red Cross Dental Assistant program at the Camp Casey Dental Clinic at Camp Casey, South Korea. The cost-free training program, a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on skills, provides graduates with the education and technical skills required to work at military dental treatment facilities.
“I saw the course as a chance to learn a new skill in a different career field,” she shared. “The fact that it offered free education was another huge draw for me.”
Marlee immersed herself in her studies. She learned not only how to assist healthcare providers but also received training in administration, patient scheduling, electronic medical records systems (EMRs), telephone etiquette, x-ray techniques, infection control and regulations, sterilization technician duties, among many other skills.
She returned home when she had completed the program and quickly secured a contracting job as a dental assistant at Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk, in Louisiana, where she felt at ease in her new position, putting the skills she learned through the Red Cross to immediate use. She even met the man she would later marry after a routine tooth cleaning.
“My goal was to work as a Dental Assistant in the G.S. [Government Schedule] system. I sought assistance from the Army Community Service, which provides free resume-building services and G.S. application tips. With their help, I applied for my first G.S. Dental Assistant position and was successful on my first attempt,” said Marlee.
Since then, Marlee and her husband Casey have gone through five permanent changes of station (PCS) from Louisiana to Hawaii, back to Louisiana, and on to Baumholder and Hohenfels, Germany.
“Once you are in the G.S. system,” Marlee said, “it’s relatively easy to transfer from one position to another. I have successfully obtained positions through all five PCS moves I have experienced with my spouse.”
Then in 2024, while stationed in Baumholder, Marlee got the chance to give back to the program that has afforded her so much when a new Army Captain took over the Red Cross Dental Assistant program there.
“I personally approached Dr. Ugarte after discovering she was in charge of the (dental assistant) program. We were still unfamiliar with each other, so I shared some background and past experiences with her. She joyfully agreed to receive my assistance and feedback, and we developed a strong bond that blossomed into a friendship and formed an exceptional team.”
Together, the two coached four aspiring dental assistants through a rigorous six months of training, comprised of 900 hours of classroom and clinical practice.
The best part: all who started the program graduated, and two have since been offered a coveted G.S. position.
“I found participating in the RCDA program to be both challenging and rewarding,” explained program graduate Fatoumata Sheriff, who continued to volunteer at the Baumholder dental clinic after graduating. “Through teamwork, perseverance, and invaluable guidance from Capt. Ugarte and Marlee, we overcame obstacles and achieved success.”
Marlee urges those interested to go for it.
“Maintaining a job can be difficult when you are required to move every two to four years. Dental clinics are almost always available at military installations, so the likelihood of transitioning is higher in the dental field. It has opened many doors for me, and I’ve made lifelong friendships along the way,” shared Marlee when reflecting on her experience. “In hindsight, I see that the program was truly a lifesaver for me.”
Are you a military dependent interested in growing your skills and learning a new career? Visit redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter to find your local Red Cross and inquire about career enhancement programs near you!
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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