Mr. Bryan R. Dewey, who has served faithfully as a Marine, Airman with the Maryland Air National Guard, and federal civil servant, has retired from a successful career spanning more than 40 years. His final post was as Facilities Management & Sustainment (FM&S) Program Manager for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington. Building on years of work experience, he acquired the skills and leadership abilities necessary to serve the United States Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Corps in a variety of capacities with distinction.
Dewey, originally from Dundalk, Md., joined the United States Marine Corps in 1977 and worked as a parachute rigger. He had always wanted to join the military and serve his country and chose the Marine Corps for the brotherhood, pride, and to uphold his family tradition of service.
“It was hard and not always glamorous,” Dewey said. “Being able to say I am a Marine still fills me with pride. A big plus is the uniform, more specifically the dress blues.”
Dewey left the Corps in 1981 and landed a job working for a plumbing contractor just one week after being discharged.
“I started a four-year apprenticeship using my GI Bill benefits to supplement my pay. Upon completion, I tested for and received a Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter license in Baltimore County, Maryland.”
This work experience led Dewey to a job as a pipe fitter repairing Coast Guard ships. Additionally in 1985, he took on additional responsibility as a parachute rigger for the Maryland Air National Guard and served in that capacity for three years.
“I loved working on the A-10 Warthogs and the C-130's, training the aircrew members on their safety equipment - ejection seats, parachutes, floatation devices, G-Suits, helmets -and especially enjoyed giving Land and Water Survival Training to our aircrew members.”
Dewey continued to work as a civilian for the Coast Guard and was promoted in 1998 to the job of pipe fitter leader. After another decade of hard work, he transitioned within the Coast Guard to a new position as a planner estimator. His blue-collar experience helped immensely in planning work for shops. He was adept in material purchasing, as well as estimating required labor and services for multimillion dollar projects on Coast Guard vessels.
As a planner estimator, Dewey then transitioned to serve at Marine Corps Barracks Washington, before joining NAVFAC Washington in 2016. Serving as the FM&S Program Manager with NAVFAC, he was responsible for a wide variety of tasks, ranging from hiring actions to managing preventative maintenance and mobile technology programs.
“My years with NAVFAC involved going to four sites that had in-house workforces, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, NSF Carderock, NSF Dahlgren and NSF Indian Head. I found the opportunity to work with the blue-collar folks both rewarding and at times frustrating; but would not change a thing. I have made some close friendships along the way.”
At a retirement ceremony in May, Dewey was honored by his shipmates and NAVFAC Washington Commanding Officer, Capt. Greg Vinci.
“Your diligent efforts and dedication to duty have earned you the respect of our supported commands, customers, your co-workers, and supervisors alike,” Vinci said. “On behalf of your shipmates, I extend our heartfelt congratulations for a highly successful career and our sincere wishes for the very best in your retirement. May you be blessed with fair winds and following seas.”
Dewey is excited to now transition over to retired life in Accokeek, Md., and looks forward to relaxing and spending quality time with friends and family.
“To my beautiful bride, Beth, and my children Heather, Gregory, and Jacob, I love you,” Dewey said.
Date Taken: | 06.15.2021 |
Date Posted: | 06.15.2021 15:23 |
Story ID: | 398993 |
Location: | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
Hometown: | DUNDALK, MARYLAND, US |
Web Views: | 154 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marine Veteran and Civil Servant’s Career is a Roadmap for Success, by Matthew Stinson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.