by Lt. Jennifer Cunningham, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest
(BANGOR,
Wash.) – A 2010 graduate of Daniel High Hand High School and Madison,
Connecticut, native was advanced to U.S. Navy lieutenant junior grade, serving
with Navy Facilities Engineering Command Northwest (NAVFAC Northwest) in
Bangor, Washington.
Lieutenant
Junior Grade Edward “Brenton” Dowd, a 2015 graduate of Northeastern University who
has currently served in the Navy for more than two years, is a Civil Engineer Corps
officer and a construction manager responsible for on-base facility repair,
upgrades, and renovation. He acts as the liaison between civilian contractors
and the government, ensuring design and construction projects are executed
according to the contract.
Dowd said
he is very proud of accomplishing this goal.
“It’s a great feeling to no longer be the most
junior officer in the wardroom,” said Dowd. “I now have the opportunity to
provide some mentorship to incoming junior officers. The elevated expectations
that come with a promotion provide additional motivation to continue bettering
myself as an officer.”
“Being promoted to lieutenant junior grade is
a big step up in responsibility,” said Capt. Christopher Kurgan, commanding
officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest. “Not only
does it come with more responsibilities and greater leadership obligations, but
they are looked to for their knowledge and expertise in their field. They lead
their enlisted sailors, and are learning to lead junior officers and their
peers. They often have more responsibility at their age than their peers in the
civilian world. I’m proud of all of our sailors here at NAVFAC Northwest, including
Lieutenant Junior Grade Dowd.”
Dowd reported
to NAVFAC Northwest in 2016 and credits the Navy for helping him grow as a
leader.
“Growing up, I was fairly soft-spoken and
would absolutely not consider myself a natural leader,” said Dowd. “Between the
training at officer candidate school and the fantastic mentorship of the senior
officers and my peers here at NAVFAC Northwest, I have developed
decision-making abilities that I had not considered ‘teachable qualities.’
Though I still have a lot to learn, I feel much more comfortable trusting my
instincts and providing direction with confidence.”
NAVFAC
Northwest's diversified programs support planning, design, contracting, and
construction (including the acquisition and disposal of real estate for the
Navy) and assist client activities in the application of specialized programs
such as energy, environment, and base closures throughout an 11 state region.
- - posted by Rick Burke, Navy Office
of Community Outreach Public Affairs