Doug Pinkerton graduates and earns Marine Commission

Doug Pinkerton, son of local ranchers Dan and Susan Pinkerton, graduated from the University of Idaho and also earned a Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps last month. Doug, a graduate of Santa Paula Union High School, is a veteran of the First Tank Battalion of the First Marine Division. An amphibious expert with the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, he deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to operations in the Pacific, Asia, Africa and Kuwait. One of his most notable achievements was assignment as Acting Tank Platoon Commander while a Sergeant, a position normally assigned to a Lieutenant. Subsequent to his deployment, he applied for and was accepted to the prestigious Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. He was one of just eighty-four accepted that year from the entire Marine Corps. This program provides the Marine an opportunity to attend college while on active duty and earn his Baccalaureate Degree. Doug was an Upper Level honors student and his military performance and scholastic achievement earned a Guaranteed Flight Contract with the Marines. Doug has a one month leave after which he reports to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. After completion of The Basic School he reports to Pensacola, Florida to begin Flight Training. Attending his graduation and Commissioning were Doug’s Godfather and former Santa Paula resident Dick Johnson, and sister Catherine. Doug’s Lieutenant bars were pinned on in a formal ceremony by his Mother and Father.