CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan— For those who have earned the title of “The Few and the Proud,” being a Marine is a way of life. For one Marine, Sgt. Dominic Sharpsteensurina, being an infantryman was a calling.
“I joined the Marine Corps when I was 25 years old,” said Sharpsteensurina , a native of Apple Valley, California. “Life is a journey, and the Marine Corps was one thing I wanted to experience. I feel it is very important to serve others and my country.”
Upon graduation at Infantry Training Battalion-West aboard Camp Pendleton, California, during 2011, Sharpsteensurina began his career in the infantry with “Suicide” Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stationed at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.
“I am proud to be in a company that has such a historic past full of pride and tradition such as Suicide Charley,” Sharpsteensurina said.
Sharpsteensurina, an assault section leader with Weapons Platoon, Charley Co., was meritoriously promoted to the ranks of corporal and sergeant in a span of just four years.
“I was surprised after I found out that I won a meritorious board among my peers,” said Sharpsteensurina. “I was very humbled. I left from Camp Dwyer to Camp Leatherneck under the pretense of conducting a hometown interview for the news. Next thing I knew, the commandant of the Marine Corps was congratulating me for all of my hard work. Since my promotion, my work ethic toward my Marines and my job has not changed.”
“Sergeant Sharpsteensurina is a very intelligent individual,” said Lance Cpl. Jordan Pettid, a native of Mondamin, Iowa, and a squad leader with Weapons Plt. “He is an assaultman, but he knows everyone’s job from the staff sergeant to the private. If there is a problem, he will tell you how to fix it, or he will figure out a way to fix it himself. He is a very comfortable person to talk to, which is an important trait as a leader. He is the type of guy the Marines can count on to do a job right the first time.”
During his current deployment in Afghanistan, Sharpsteensurina is glad to be able to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom once again with his fellow infantrymen and become someone they can look up to.
“The most important accomplishment I have had in the Marine Corps is being a competent leader,” said Sharpsteensurina. “I wanted to deploy to Afghanistan so that I could better serve my country. I think that is why I chose to be an infantryman.”
Among his goals in Afghanistan, Sharpsteensurina has one desire as soon as he gets home after completing his approximately seven-month-long tour overseas.
“After I redeploy back to the States with Charley Co., I plan on going backpacking in Oregon,” said Sharpsteensurina.