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    Ste. Genevieve Marine drives the Marine Corps forward

    Ste. Genevieve Marine drives the Marine Corps forward

    Photo By Cpl. Jonathan Boynes | Corporal David Ogden, an assistant training non-commissioned officer with Truck...... read more read more

    CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

    11.25.2014

    Story by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Boynes 

    I Marine Expeditionary Force

    CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The Marine Corps is renowned for its unparalleled ability to react to global crisis, and when called upon to fight and win America’s wars. The image of an infantryman kicking down doors or patrolling through a desert is often the primary idea of Marines within popular culture, making it easy to overlook the importance of lesser known jobs within the Corps.

    Corporal David Ogden, an assistant training non-commissioned officer with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, understands that even though his job might get less exposure than other military occupations, the Marine Corps couldn’t function as a fighting force without the services that the motor pool provides.

    “I joined the Marine Corps because I didn’t see my life going anywhere. I was 21 years old and working at a gas station,” said Ogden, a native of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. “I knew that the best way for me to move out of my small hometown was to join something that could offer me good life experiences and a chance to do something I could be proud of.”

    As training NCO, Ogden is responsible for creating training schedules and ensuring that Marines are properly qualified to perform their jobs and deploy. He says that having well-trained Marines is what makes the Corps as effective as it is.

    “We make sure Marines are locked on for a variety of ranges or courses depending on what is needed at the time,” said Ogden. “If Marines aren’t doing their training they can’t get promoted, they can’t perform their job and they won’t be as effective in combat.”

    Ogden has been with his current unit for nearly two years and has had a large impact on both his peers and subordinates since checking in.

    “When I met Ogden about a year ago he was just as motivated and willing to help Marines as he is today,” said Cpl. Travis Williams, a motor transport operator with Headquarters Battalion. “He always is the one to do a little more than is asked of him and I think that’s what makes him a great role model for newer Marines. He is firm with them but they know that they can go to him for anything. He has benefited everyone in the unit a lot and it wouldn’t be the same without him.”

    Ogden says that he plans to reenlist and make a lateral move into the criminal investigation division once his contract is up. He says that even though he will no longer be in the same job field the skills that he has acquired throughout his career will benefit him for the rest of his life.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.25.2014
    Date Posted: 11.25.2014 02:49
    Story ID: 148748
    Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
    Hometown: STE. GENEVIEVE, MO, US

    Web Views: 96
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN