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Recognizing Success, Rewarding Excellence: 2nd MEB singles out California Marine as Marine of the Quarter

21 Oct 2014 | Cpl. James Smith 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

He’s still relatively new to the Marine Corps, but something about Lance Cpl. Jarrett Lowrie has brought him into the spotlight.

 An intelligence analyst currently serving with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Lowrie is completing his first temporary duty assignment with 2nd MEB. He’s new, but all he needed was a test, a challenge that would give him a chance to shine.

 Lowrie got that opportunity in October, when the unit organized a board to recognize outstanding Marines through competition. The Windsor, California, native has a quiet humbleness about him, but a genuine zeal for the Marine Corps. It’s a quality his command noticed when it came time to select Marines for the competition.

“I believe my unit had confidence in me and my ability to lead, and this board should help assure them of that,” said Lowrie.

 Lowrie joined other Marines from the unit and stood before a select group of staff noncommissioned officers for the 2nd MEB Marine of the Quarter board at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct 21.

“[The shops] picked their best Marines and submitted them to the board to find out who is the top dog,” said Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos, the sergeant major of 2nd MEB. “We ran the Marines through a series of events to include a [physical training] event, drill, question and answer, and a uniform inspection.”

Lowrie knew the board would challenge everything he knew as a Marine. On top of that, he had to pit his physical prowess and proficiency in the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual against a hand-selected group of his peers.

“Here they got the chance to be a unit leader,” said Gallegos. They went from having no confidence to having a whole lot of confidence in a few hours.”

That was especially true for Lowrie, who had never led Marines in drill before. After a bit of practice, however, he was able to lead a section of Marines and complete a card of drill maneuvers. Lowrie considered it a “learning experience,” but walked away with a lot more confidence in his abilities to command a group of Marines.

 Even having a smaller physique proved to be a trial for Lowrie, as he pushed his strength and endurance to complete the physical training portion of the board.

“This is a chance for you to distinguish yourself from the rest of your peers,” said Gallegos, who assisted all participants as they participated for the competition.

 In the end, a board of senior Marines saw the merits in Lowrie’s ability to perform under pressure. He plans to bring that back to his unit and maybe even participate in the unit’s meritorious corporal board later this year.