COMMANDANT - DOUGLAS WENDLING

Born in 1943, Doug was raised on a farm in central Michigan with his six younger brothers and sisters.  Upon graduation from high school in 1961 Doug enlisted in the Marine Corps, beginning recruit training in August of 1961 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.  Assigned to Platoon 355, 1st Battalion, Doug graduated from recruit training as a Private First Class in November of 1961.

Following completion of training with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment, his initial assignment was with the 1st Force Service Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California.  Subsequent assignments included the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Iwakuni, Japan and 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines on Okinawa.  Following six years of service, Doug was honorably discharged as a Corporal.

Returning to Michigan in 1967 following his enlistment, Doug began employment at the General Motors Corporation as a production machine operator and journeyman machine repair-machinist.  Departing General Motors to pursue his education, Doug accepted a position as the Coordinator of Vocational-Technical Programs at Delta College in Bay City, Michigan, then as the Director of Adult Education at the Bay-Arenac Vocational Skill Center in Bay-Arenac, Michigan.  He was conferred a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Design in 1972 and a Masters in Educational Administration in 1975, both from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Upon completing his education, Doug moved to San Jose, California where he served as the Director of Instruction for the School of Apprenticeship at San Jose City College.  Departing the educational administration field in 1978, Doug accepted a position with Philips Semiconductors in San Jose, California.  There he served in a variety of roles including Manufacturing Manager, Employee-Labor Relations Manager, and Director, Human Resources until his retirement in 2003 after 25 years of service.  Following retirement, Doug and his wife relocated to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Doug is married to the former Elizabeth McMahon of Newport News, Virginia.  They have four sons, two of which have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States.

Doug's hobbies include, amateur radio, home computing, fishing, hunting, golf, and cooking.  He is a licensed amateur radio operator (WD6EDY) and holds a single engine-land private pilot’s license.  Doug is a life member of the American Radio Relay League, the North American Hunting Club, the Cooking Club of America, the American Legion, and the Marine's Memorial Association.  He is also currently a member of the Marine Corps League, the USMC/Combat Helicopter Association, the Outer Banks Repeater Association, the Outer Banks Gun Club, and the Currituck Golf Club.

PREVIOUS PAGE