Staff Sergeant Ponsor-DeChant joined the Marine Corps in October of 2012. After completing Recruit Training and Marine Combat Training, she attended the Basic Music Course at the Naval School of Music.
Upon graduating the Basic Music Course in August 2013, SSgt Ponsor-DeChant received orders to Marine Band San Diego, California, where she served as a Trombone Instrumentalist, Administration Clerk, Mail Clerk, Fiscal Clerk, Public Affairs Office Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Medical/Dental Readiness Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, and Brass Quintet Leader. As a lance corporal, they were selected as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region Marine of the Quarter, 1st Quarter Fiscal Year 2014. In April of the following year, she won a Meritorious Sergeant Board for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region. She was nominated by the command at Marine Band San Diego for Marine Musician of the Year, Fiscal Year 2016.
After completing their tour in San Diego, SSgt Ponsor-DeChant was then assigned to the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as a Basic Academics Instructor. She also served as the Student Watch Bill Coordinator, Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Victim Advocate, Command Physical Training Representative, Mentor, Martial Arts Instructor, as well as the Webmaster and Public Affairs Office Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the Marine Detachment, Naval School of Music. She was selected as the Center for Service Support Domain Junior Enlisted Instructor of the Quarter, 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2018, Marine Corps Intelligence Schools Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter, 4th Quarter Fiscal Year 2018, Center for Service Support Domain Mid-grade Instructor of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter, Fiscal Year 2020, and were nominated for the Marine Musician of the Year, Calendar Year 2019. SSgt Ponsor-DeChant was promoted to their current rank in December of 2019.
Immediately following her tour of duty as an instructor, SSgt Ponsor-DeChant attended the Unit Leader Course at the Naval School of Music and graduated in April of 2021. She was then assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, California, where they served as a Trombone Instrumentalist, Brass Quintet Leader, Assistant Enlisted Conductor, Enlisted Conductor, and Martial Arts Instructor. In April of 2024, SSgt Ponsor-DeChant received orders to Marine Band San Diego, where she currently serves as the Enlisted Conductor.
SSgt Ponsor-DeChant is from San Diego, CA. Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Gold Start in lieu of 2nd award), and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (two Bronze Stars in lieu of 3rd award). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (2009) and a Master of Arts in Teaching (2015) from Point Loma Nazarene University.