Ian served with 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines and deployed twice to Iraq. ‘Getting behind the M240 is what I loved the most. Nothing like letting a belt fed eat.’ At the end of Ian’s enlistment, he got the chance to teach urban warfare to deploying Marines.
Ian has been shooting 3 Gun since 2017. He enjoys the challenge of honing his shooting skills across different platforms, and the comradery shared with his fellow competitors.
The Interview
Question 1 - Where were you born?
Ian - "Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania. I was born into a large tight-knit family that taught me the importance of brotherhood and loyalty."
Question 2 - What school(s) did you attend?
Ian - "Upper Moreland High School."
Question 3 - What did you do after graduating?
Ian - "After graduating I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I served in the infantry as a machine gunner (0331) from 2004-2008."
Question 4 - What was your first job?
Ian - "My first job was in the food court at the local mall as a teenager."
Question 5 - What do you do for a living?
Ian - "For the last 9 years I have been with the Philadelphia Fire Department."
Question 6 - What inspired you to pursue your job?
Ian - "I just wanted to make a difference in the lives of people who need help the most. The thrill factor of fighting fire is pretty cool too."
Question 7 - Can you describe Woobies in 3 words?
Ian - "Comfortable, durable, admirable."
Question 8 - What are some of your accomplishments?
Ian - "Being a father to my two beautiful daughters is my biggest accomplishment. After that I'd say earning the title “Marine”. 14 years after separating, and I still think of myself as a Marine first. I’m also a recipient of the Purple Heart and a couple valor awards since joining the fire department."
Question 9 - What are your goals and aspirations?
Ian - "Plain and simple, it's to keep getting better every day. Whether it's firefighting, competitive shooting, or being a husband and father, I just try to be better than I was the day before. If I can continue to do that, I know I’ll be happy with where I end up when it’s all said and done."
Question 10 - Is there anything else you would like to say to our veteran community and customers?
Ian - "In the brief time that I was able to spend with Anthony, Mason, and the rest of the crew, I found them to be genuine people that truly care about the veteran community.
For the veterans, keep finding wins in life. If you’re struggling to find a win, start off small. A bunch of small wins will lead to big ones. I found a hobby that I'm absolutely passionate about and it's like therapy for me when I hit the range. It re-centers me and allows me to keep taking on the stress in other parts of life. Find your passion and don't be afraid to pursue it."