Olson, Daneil, CWO4

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
The possibility of going to college was not available to me, and being from a military family: Father and Step Father were in the Air Force, Grandfather, Grandmother and Uncle were in the Navy, I figured that was something I wanted to share with them, the feeling of accomplishment I would get by serving my country. I ended up staying because I really enjoy being a Marine.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Graduated Boot Camp from San Diego MCRD in December 1998 than went to Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton. After graduating MCT, I reported for training at the Marine Artillery Scout Observers Course at Fort Sill, OK, upon graduation, I continued to a follow-on school at Coronado, CA, Naval Gunfire Spotters Course. I received orders to 1st Battalion 12th Marines in Kaneohe Bay Hawaii for my first tour. While in Bravo 1/12, we conducted two training operations in Australia, and a seven month deployment to Okinawa on UDP. In 2002, I received orders to EWTG,LANT in Virginia Beach, VA as a Fire Support Instructor until my next assignment. In 2005 I was reassigned to G Battery 2/10 as the Liaison Chief.

While assigned to G 2/10, I did one deployment with the 22nd MEU as the BLT 1/2 Fires Chief in which we went to Hit, Iraq to conduct combat operations in 2005. Following that deployment, i was almost immediately assigned to 3/6 to complete a seven month deployment to Habbaniyah, Iraq in 2007. Following my second tour to Iraq, I decided to put in a Warrant Officer package. I got orders to 2/10 on Camp Pendleton in 2008, shortly after checking in, I had gotten word I was selected for promotion to Warrant Officer, so in January 2009 I reported in to The Basic School to attend WOBC. After 4 months at TBS, I reported for MOS school at Fort Sill, OK, than subsequently assigned to 3rd Battalion 11th Marines at Twenty-nine Palms, CA. I'm currently TAD to Regimental Combat Team 1, and deployed to Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
One memory that sticks out so far in my career, is the fun I had in my first Unit. It was the kind of unit where everybody spent their time at work, and chose to hang out with those people as well after hours. The entire Unit was close.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the most meaningful medal I've been awarded because I saved the life of a fellow Marine to get it. The Medal reminds me that a Marine is alive today because my actions that night.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Richard CabralNazario, he was my first Liaison Chief as a Corporal, he is now a Gunnery Sergeant, selected for Master Sergeant. He had the biggest impact on me, I find myself correcting Marines, passing guidance, and giving my opinion, all the while being reminded that he was responsible for instilling those practices and ideas into me, no matter what the category is, artillery, uniforms, conduct, performance.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I'm currently the Target Information Officer for Regimental Combat Team 1 in Afghanistan.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The Marine Corps has instilled a work ethic, moral and mental strength that help me in every day life. It's definitely important now that I''m a parent, I ensure that I try to instill the same values into my children, which will help them succeed in life.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
If you're still serving, always remember where you came from. No matter what rank you are now, or what rank you want to be. Don't change who you are, and take care of those Marines under your charge, they're counting on you to look out for them.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US MARINES

This site is the best way to keep in touch with those i've served with, and to see how their career has progressed since we've been separated. It's nice to know the guys you've helped develop in the Marine Corps are succeeding, and the guys who've developed me are still doing great things for the Marine Corps.

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