CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. — U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jonathan Hastings, a water purification specialist with 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, is currently participating in exercise Northern Strike 26-2. Hastings is a native of Michigan.
Northern Strike is an Army sponsored, multi-component, multi-national exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability to fight and win. Northern Strike 26-2, Michigan’s largest and longest joint readiness exercise, is held from August 1 to August 15, 2026, at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center. This year’s exercise will feature around 9,000 participants.
Hastings currently lives in Mason, Michigan. However, his connection to the Marine Corps began long before recruit training.
“My father was a combat engineer with 6th ESB, so that kind of propelled me throughout my childhood to want to join the Marine Corps,” said Hastings. “Eventually, the time came, and I enlisted in the reserve and haven’t looked back.”
Outside the Marine Corps, Hastings works remotely as an automation analyst in the insurance industry, specializing in analytics and computer programming. He earned an undergraduate degree in information systems from Central Michigan University and a graduate degree in cybersecurity from Western Governors University. During Northern Strike, Hastings was afforded the opportunity to train alongside service members from partner nations.
“Representing the state of Michigan feels great,” said Hastings. “I feel like I can really put forth the best that Michigan has to offer, and I’m always humbled when I meet individuals from other states and even from my home state on the capabilities that we’re able to bring.”
The Marine Corps has taken Hastings throughout the United States, including California, New Mexico and North Carolina, but wherever he serves, his connection to home remains with him.
“When I go out there, I represent Michigan, the Marine Corps and my family,” said Hastings.
Outside the Marine Corps, Hastings draws that motivation from his wife, son and daughter.
“My family is what keeps me going,” said Hastings. “I love them dearly, and I want to do the best I can to represent our name as best as possible.”
For Hastings, serving with 6th Engineer Support Battalion allows him to represent his family, the Marine Corps and the state he calls home.