Photo By Sgt. Jack Adamyk | Corporal Brendan T. McDowell, a native of Deer Park, Long Island, New York State, is a...... read more read more
Three-time Marine of the Quarter Cpl. Brendan T. McDowell is the now the Marine of the Year for 2018 aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California.
The 20-year-old McDowell was officially recognized as the Marine of the Year during the Quarterly Awards Breakfast held at the Major General James L. Day Conference Center aboard base Jan. 29.
“Being selected is definitely an honor,” he said. “This recognition shows that I have been working hard to get to where I am today.”
Master Sergeant Tianna Tien, S-6 communications chief, said McDowell goes above and beyond in his performance.
“Corporal McDowell is a motivated self-starter,” the master sergeant said. “When he’s assigned a task we know it’s going to get done. He is a Marine’s Marine.”
The native of the Long Island hamlet of Deer Park, in New York State, explained his “get it done” attitude.
“I try to hear something once and not hear it again,” he said. “So when a staff (noncommissioned officer) or a sergeant tells me there’s something that needs to get done, there shouldn’t be any reason to tell me twice.”
His military occupational specialty of construction wireman for the Communications Department keeps McDowell busy and offers him many learning opportunities.
“I’ve worked with wires and radios, been on the data side and assisted the Help Desk technician,” he said. “I’ve also assisted other shops such as Supply recently when we delivered ammunition from (Marine Air Ground Combat Center) 29 Palms back to here.”
He plans to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the Corps.
“I am going to pursue my education in natural resource science. If I don’t make a career of the Marine Corps, I would like to become a game warden or a forest ranger in more of a remote wilderness area. I like nature and to be by myself and wander.”
The two junior Marines who work in S-6 occupy a large part of McDowell’s time and attention as a mentor.
“I ask them ‘How’re you doing, how’s your weekend going, is there anything I can help you within your personal life or the shop to improve things?’”
McDowell also volunteers his time, both aboard base with the Single Marine Program, and in the community.
“I recently served on a promotion board at a high school in Hesperia for some Army cadets,” he said. “Anything to do with young people improving their lives is worth volunteering my time for.”
After his tour at MCLB Barstow is over, the corporal said he’s going to pursue his two goals. “I’m going to be submitting my drill instructor package so I can go back to (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) Parris Island, (S.C.). If that doesn’t work out, then my next step would be Explosive Ordinance Disposal.”
No matter where his career or life takes McDowell he said he plans to keep learning from those around him.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the Marines and NCOs who have led me in the right direction. No matter who you are you can always learn something new from somebody.”
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2019 17:24 |
| Story ID: | 311170 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Hometown: | DEER PARK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 111 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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