Jude Eden (b. 1977), of Halifax, Nova Scotia, served in data communication with the United States Marine Corps from 2004-2008. She was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq from 2005-2006. Jude Eden was born 12 July 1977 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When Eden was ten years old, her father, a professor, took a position at Hillsdale College and moved his family to Michigan. After high school, Eden attended Hillsdale College, and received a degree in both Literature and Political Science. Having had a passion for photography from a young age, Eden then decided to attend the Hallmark Institute for Photography in Massachusetts for a ten-month professional photography program. In 2001, Eden moved to New York City to find work as a photographer. In late 2003, at the age of twenty-six, Eden decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, and in March 2004 she was sent to Parris Island, South Carolina, for boot camp. In July 2004, Eden attended Marine Combat Training for three weeks at U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry, and then Communications School for two months at Twentynine Palms, California. In October 2004, Eden was sent to her first duty station at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In preparation for deployment, Eden assisted with setting up networks to create computer radio communications, and practiced Combined Arms Exercises (CAX), Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain (MOUT), and Stability and Support Operations (SASO). Eden was also sent to the Survival Level Arabic Course (SLAC) and the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) Course. In August 2005, Eden deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq, with Alpha Company Data Platoon, 8th Communication Battalion. While in Iraq, Eden's duties included going with convoys in order to monitor and maintain communications equipment, and ensuring that Predator drone feeds were working properly. She also assisted with checkpoint duty on the outskirts of Fallujah, frisking Iraqi women for explosives. Eden returned to Camp Lejeune in February 2006. While working in headquarters of Alpha Company, and preparing for another deployment, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Having already been scheduled for surgery, Eden requested it be delayed in order to allow her to deploy, but she was denied. In 2007, Eden had a thyroidectomy. In Spring 2008, Eden finished her enlistment and left the U.S. Marine Corps. She now works as IT Systems Administrator for Wilmington, North Carolina's water utility provider.
