2023 DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

Major Vanesa E. Sigala

Major Sigala is a native of Los Angeles, California.  She attended Long Island University and commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class program, attending Officer Candidates School in 2003 and 2005.  She commissioned in 2007 as a law contract and began attending law school the same year, graduating with a juris doctorate and licensing as an attorney in the state of New York in 2010. 

Prior to attending The Basic School, she reported to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego where she served as a legal assistance attorney, while she awaited The Basic School.  After completion of The Basic School, she attended Naval Justice School, finally reporting to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in 2012.  She served as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, and eventually became a trial counsel and Office-In-Charge of the Legal Services Support Detachment-Yuma. 

In May 2014, Major Sigala reported to Recruiting Station Atlanta.  During her recruiting tour, she served as the Recruiting Station Operations Officer, managing enlisted recruiting operations for two years.  She completed her last year as the Recruiting Station Executive Officer. 

Major Sigala next reported to Legal Services Support Section – West at Camp Pendleton California in Oceanside, California in June of 2017.  While there she served as Regional Civil Law Officer – West and provided ethics opinions to all western region staff judge advocate offices.  She also served as the Camp Pendleton Administrative Law Officer-in-Charge and serviced all Camp Pendleton commands in the execution of all administrative separations.  She next completed a year as the Deputy Senior Defense Counsel, and finally was selected to be the Senior Defense Counsel aboard Camp Pendleton, representing countless Sailors and Marines, and leading Marine Defense Counsel. 

She was selected on the Commandant’s Career Level Education Board and reported to The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, Charlottesville, Virginia in July of 2020, where she earned a Masters of Law in Military Justice.  In July of 2021, Major Sigala returned to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia where she has served as the Command Judge Advocate.  She currently advises the Commanding Officer and staff of The Basic School on all legal and ethical matters.   

Major Sigala is married to Charles Boozer of Ball Ground, Georgia and has two children: Thomas (5) and Penny (3).  Major Sigala’s personal decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x2).