By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Pharel Dorsainvil, a former U.S. Marine whose family resides in Lexington, Kentucky, is supporting the U.S. Navy as a civilian assigned to Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC), Williamsburg, Virginia.
Originally from Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, Dorsainvil came to the U.S. in 2006 and graduated from Coconut Creek High School in Coconut Creek, Florida, in 2013.
Dorsainvil previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps for over seven years before joining the civil service over a year ago.
"I joined the Marine Corps because I admired its legacy, but more importantly, I knew it was the place where I could learn to lead with purpose, build character and grow into someone capable of making real change in people’s lives," Dorsainvil said.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Coconut Creek.
"Back home, I played soccer and was part of JROTC," Dorsainvil said. "Those experiences taught me that nothing great is done alone—teamwork is everything. And real communication? It’s not just about speaking up, it’s about listening, understanding and building each other up. I carried that with me every day in uniform."
Dorsainvil places a great deal of value on education, as evidenced by his earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics in 2023 from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the College of William & Mary in May 2025.
Dorsainvil chose a degree in business analytics due to his interests in programming languages.
"I’ve always enjoyed working with data and computer languages," Dorsainvil said. "I wanted to gain the skills to apply those interests in the finance and business world in a way that drives real results."
Dorsainvil is grateful for achieving an educational milestone.
"I was overjoyed in receiving my master's degree," Dorsainvil said. "It felt great to reach that milestone, but I’m someone who’s always thinking about what’s next. Even while celebrating, I was already setting new goals for myself. This degree helps me make smarter, data-driven decisions and strengthens my ability to analyze complex financial issues. It’s a game changer for the way I forecast, manage resources, and provide value to leadership. It also puts me on a stronger path toward future leadership roles."
Dorsainvil is continuing his academic success.
"I’m currently working on completing my Data Analytics certification at the Naval Postgraduate School," Dorsainvil said. "I’m also planning to earn my Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma and my Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certification. Each of these steps is part of my commitment to continuous improvement and becoming a more effective leader in the financial community and the Department of Defense."
Today, Dorsainvil serves as a financial management analyst at NMRLC Williamsburg.
Headed by Capt. Christopher Barnes, NMRLC develops, acquires, produces, fields, sustains, and provides enduring lifecycle support of medical materiel solutions to the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high-end competition, crisis, and combat. At the forefront of Navy Medicine’s strategic evolution, NMRLC is well positioned to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Dorsainvil supports a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Dorsainvil has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest moments weren’t medals or promotions, they were seeing the impact I made in my junior Marines," Dorsainvil said. "It was about watching them grow, thrive and become leaders themselves, and knowing I played a small role in that journey, that’s what I’ll always be proud of."
Dorsainvil can take pride in serving America through military service.
"To me, serving in the Marine Corps is proof that your starting point doesn’t define your destination," Dorsainvil added. "It’s a reminder that no matter where you’re from, you can be a light in someone else’s darkness, a voice of encouragement and a force for good. That’s what this journey has always been about for me."
Dorsainvil is grateful for achieving an educational milestone.
"I was overjoyed in receiving my master's degree," Dorsainvil said. "It felt great to reach that milestone, but I’m someone who’s always thinking about what’s next. Even while celebrating, I was already setting new goals for myself. This degree helps me make smarter, data-driven decisions and strengthens my ability to analyze complex financial issues. It’s a game changer for the way I forecast, manage resources, and provide value to leadership. It also puts me on a stronger path toward future leadership roles."
Dorsainvil is continuing his academic success.
"I’m currently working on completing my Data Analytics certification at the Naval Postgraduate School," Dorsainvil said. "I’m also planning to earn my Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma and my Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certification. Each of these steps is part of my commitment to continuous improvement and becoming a more effective leader in the financial community and the Department of Defense."
Today, Dorsainvil serves as a financial management analyst at NMRLC Williamsburg.
Headed by Capt. Christopher Barnes, NMRLC develops, acquires, produces, fields, sustains, and provides enduring lifecycle support of medical materiel solutions to the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high-end competition, crisis, and combat. At the forefront of Navy Medicine’s strategic evolution, NMRLC is well positioned to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Dorsainvil supports a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Dorsainvil has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest moments weren’t medals or promotions, they were seeing the impact I made in my junior Marines," Dorsainvil said. "It was about watching them grow, thrive and become leaders themselves, and knowing I played a small role in that journey, that’s what I’ll always be proud of."
Dorsainvil can take pride in serving America through military service.
"To me, serving in the Marine Corps is proof that your starting point doesn’t define your destination," Dorsainvil added. "It’s a reminder that no matter where you’re from, you can be a light in someone else’s darkness, a voice of encouragement and a force for good. That’s what this journey has always been about for me."