What I’ve Learned: Dylan T. Montambo

Photo By Lance Cpl. Dave Flores | Capt. Dylan T. Montambo, pilot, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, used to play for an Olympic soccer development team to travel all over Europe while doing what he loved. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dave Flores/Released)  

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

05.05.2016

Story by Lance Cpl. Dave Flores 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- I was born in Chesapeake, Va. It’s primarily where I grew up and went to high school.

I always played hockey and soccer growing up, but in high school I had to choose a sport to dedicate my time to. I chose soccer, because I could improve myself without having to leave my family to live with my cousins where I could succeed in hockey.

My father is an engineer for the Navy and has done that for the past 25 years.

During my senior year of high school he got stationed in Italy. While in Italy, I joined an Olympic soccer development team and was able to travel all over Europe. Some of the places I played in were Germany and Holland.

Being able to see how other people lived changed my perspective on things. I realized how easy we have things in this country. In some places, getting things like water or food is much more complicated than it is here.

After high school, I decided to attend Old Dominion University in Virginia on a soccer scholarship.

Two people influenced me to join the Marine Corps. The first was my friend who flew F/A-18 Hornets. The second was my roommate’s father who is a retired infantry officer.

I decided to go the aviation route when I joined the Corps and now I fly UH-1 Hueys.

Last year, I was assigned to HMLA-269 as my first Fleet Marine Force squadron.

I enjoyed the team aspect of soccer and I can tell it transferred over to flying Hueys. I’ve got another pilot next to me and I’ve got at least two more guys in the back controlling guns. You learn to lean on each other and depend on everyone to do their jobs.

My brother is also a Marine. He and I both chose to go the officer route. We have a good relationship and I appreciate that I can ask him what he thinks about some of my decisions as an officer.

It’s important to unwind when you’re not in uniform. I help organize the intermural soccer team to relieve stress. I also encourage the officers and enlisted guys from my squadron to play golf on the weekends.

The biggest thing I have learned is to stay humble. I am a captain, but I do not always have all the answers. There have been plenty of times when I have had to ask my sergeants to help me out.

It’s never about you when it comes to being a leader. Even though I may be the one flying, it is about making the life’s of my Marines better.

I am here on the Integrated Training Exercise and I am excited to be here. The Combat Center has the largest and best training area I have ever seen.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2016
• Date Posted: 05.26.2016 10:44
• Story ID: 199148
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US