Photo By Cpl. Victoria Hutt | U.S. Marine Capt. Samantha Donatelli, the logistics officer-in-charge with 1st...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Long hours, high expectations, and the constant pressure to perform become routine while deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). It may sound daunting to most, but this was an environment that Captain Samantha Donatelli thrived in.
“We went six, seven, eight months prior to getting on ship, going one hundred miles an hour,” says Donatelli, the logistics officer-in-charge with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, which deployed as the Battalion Landing Team with the 24th MEU in 2024.
From planning transportation to and from training sites, to ensuring Marines have ammunition to conduct live-fire ranges, to providing hot meals for Marines in the field - each day provided a new problem set for the Fallston, Maryland native to confront directly.
“Everything is a puzzle. Every day is different. It can be difficult, but we’d always say ‘Let’s figure this challenge out. Let’s find a way to ‘yes’.’”
Donatelli’s problem-solving abilities were only one of her strengths recognized when she was nominated for the First Lieutenant Travis Manion Marine Corps Logistician of the Year award. This award is one of the highest honors a Marine Corps logistics officer can receive. Named after 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroism in Iraq, the award recognizes logisticians who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in supporting combat operations.
As the battalion’s logistics officer-in-charge, Donatelli and her team were responsible for ensuring that over 1,000 Marines had the necessary supplies and support while forward deployed on three U.S. Navy ships and ashore in U.S. Sixth Fleet's area of responsibility. This included, but was not limited to, managing equipment on the ships, maintaining vehicle readiness, supplying food and water, and distributing ammunition. Donatelli managed and delegated tasks to her Marines under the following battalion logistics functions: armory, ammunition, food service, maintenance management, motor transport, embarkation, and supply.
“I led my Marines with the mindset that if we fail, we fail together, and if we succeed, it’s because every Marine in my section had a hand in it,” Donatelli explained. “I had full trust and confidence in them to make decisions and execute.”
Winning the First Lieutenant Travis Manion Marine Corps Logistician of the Year award is a testament to Donatelli’s ability to form a cohesive team built upon trust, leadership, and camaraderie. She credits her success to the fluidity and functionality of her team during the pre-deployment training program and deployment.
“It’s important to me to empower my junior Marines and [non-commissioned officers] to do what they do best, and that is win. As a leader, I see the potential in all my Marines at every level. I give them a task and let them run with it—that is the reason we were so successful.”
One of the defining moments of her deployment was returning the entire battalion landing team home safely and with all their equipment accounted for.
“I called that our Super Bowl,” she said. “Pre-deployment training was our preseason. Getting on the ship was the playoffs. And bringing everyone home safe, with every piece of gear intact—that was our championship win.”
The logistician is already looking for her next Super Bowl win. She will be assuming an instructor position at the Marine Corps Logistics Officer Course in hopes of leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of logisticians with her knowledge and experience.
“I’m super excited for this opportunity to teach, train, coach, and mentor future logisticians,” she said. “Sharing the lessons I’ve learned and helping new officers develop their own leadership styles is something I’m really looking forward to.”
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.13.2025 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 492634 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | FALLSTON, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 785 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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