Marine Strives To Be Better Than Yesterday
by U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Loriann Dauscher
August 26, 2023

“I wanted to be successful in life and to have a lot of money, as is the American dream,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ethan D. Thompson, an Onsted, Michigan native and expeditionary fuels technician with Fuels Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River. “I thought the Marine Corps would put me in that spot. I felt like what I got out of it would be really good and put me into the direction of success later in life.”

His decision to join was also guided by what he felt was a dark path ahead of him. Thompson wanted prospects that were not available to him before joining the Marine Corps.

Today, he is continuously working to better himself both on and off duty. When not at work or volunteering, he is using Tuition Assistance to work on his degree in engineering. Down the line, he plans on working toward a bachelor's degree in civil engineering to support his goal of becoming a civil engineer.

“Without us, the birds [aircraft] can’t fly. No fuel, no fight,” said Thompson.

Some of the things that go into being an expeditionary fuels technician are, testing the fuel quality, ensuring the fuel systems are safe for the environment, fixing broken parts and maintaining aircraft fuel systems.

One of Thompson’s mentors, Sgt. Aaron Kinshaw, hot pits crew leader and Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, commends his work ethic and leadership.

“He came in day one, motivated, ready to work and just do what he was told. And he sticks with that every day,” said Kinshaw. “He shows up with a good attitude and doesn’t care what the task is. We work long hours here, it doesn’t matter to him, if it’s the first five minutes in the door or last five minutes we’re about to get out of here. To him, it’s just a task to get done.”

Thompson is a proven asset to the section’s productivity and has received a new role as training Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).

“I’ve learned a lot about the Marine Corps and why we do things since being training NCO,” said Thompson. “With me being up there [the office] now, I still try and come out here [the flightline] at lunch and check on everyone and how they’re doing because I feel like that’s an important aspect of leadership.”

“To sum Thompson up, he’s just hungry to do better and to make everyone around him better. As a leader, he’s using his personal time to help them [his Marines] and constantly being a sponge, trying to learn everything he can to share these resources and knowledge with those under him. He’s always looking out for the Marines,” said Kinshaw.

Undoubtedly, Thompson’s attributes have awarded him early in his career, with a recent meritorious promotion to Corporal. He credits the promotion to his competitive spirit, the way he takes pride in the work he does and wanting the name he wears on his uniform every day to be held in high regard.

 “I’d say motivation comes from within,” said Thompson. “It’s who you are as a person to want to continue to learn and grow, and not just stay where you’re at. Just strive to be better than you were yesterday.”

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