MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Sgt. Joshua C. Cowan received the Marine Attack Squadron 542 Maintenance Marine of the Year award during a ceremony at the air station theater May 13.
Cowan, an AV-8B Harrier powerline mechanic with VMA-542, had no clue he was even nominated for the award.
“I had no idea about it,” said Cowan. “It came to me as a surprise. I guess it was their way of rewarding me.”
Cowan’s selection over other nominees did not come as a surprise to the Marines who work alongside him.
“He showed the best example, did the right thing and trained the Marines who would come into the shop,” said Lance Cpl. Abdourahaman Diakite, an ejection seat mechanic with the squadron.
After earning the award, Cowan hopes to inspire junior to strive to be better at what they do.
“Everybody already knows how I am,” said Cowan. “I think it will give other Marines something to strive for by emulating my behavior.”
What Cowan doesn’t know is that other Marines are already taking in what he has to offer.
“He’s cross training me, and I hope to one day have the knowledge in the powerline division that he has,” said Diakite.
Along with training Marines and doing the right thing, Cowan has to make sure everything in the shop is maintained and that runs smoothly.