Photo By Sgt. Ashley Beckett | U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Diego A. Cordova, operations administrations, 2nd Marine...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Regularly putting in 12-14 hour days is no surprise on deployment. It is often what you do during the long work hours that separate good Marines from great ones.
Lance Cpl. Diego Cordova, with II Marine Air Wing (Forward), has not only been working these hours on deployment, but has been since assignment as the unit’s operations clerk in the fall.
“Lance Cpl. Cordova has been a driving force within our department,” beamed Capt. Alejandro Perez, the officer-in-charge of the Operations Administration with II MAW (FWD). “His dedication and work ethic are unmatched. What’s more, he will be fulfilling this billet for a full year, rather than a typical six-month deployment.”
The Marine Corps is something Cordova had been fascinated with at a young age. Having emigrated with his family from Macas, Ecuador, at the age of 5, he is proud to call the borough of Queens in New York City his home.
While growing up, his desire to serve never wavered. He received his parent’s permission to enlist at 17 years old, but was delayed in reporting to basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island until finishing high school. Upon graduation, Cordova was assigned as an aviation operations specialist with II MAW at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.
Since arriving at Camp Leatherneck, one of Cordova’s many responsibilities has been to ensure that Brig. Gen. Gary L. Thomas, the commanding general of II MAW (FWD), gets a fully developed operations brief. Cordova is trusted with verifying flight hours, tracking the type and weight of cargo hauled on flights and the number of passengers moved aboard every British, U.S. and contracted aircraft. The data Cordova collects is processed and presented to the Brig. Gen. Thomas daily so that he can make informed decisions that affect thousands of Marines, Sailors, and foreign military personnel.
During his time off, Cordova is fulfilling his desire for higher education.
“I am also taking college courses in addition to my Marine Corps programs and duties,” said Cordova. He is interested in criminal justice as well as psychology.
Cordova said he spends what little spare time he has relaxing at the USO and watching movies or corresponding with family and friends.
When he returns to his home station at MCAS Cherry Point, Cordova hopes to deploy overseas once again—as a Marine Security Guard at a U.S. Embassy or as a member of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
Regardless of where he goes next, Cordova said he enjoys his job and plans to make the Marine Corps his career.
“I know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2013 00:20 |
| Story ID: | 102846 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Hometown: | QUEENS, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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