A graduate of Poplar Bluff High School has assumed command of a platoon of nearly 900 Marines in North Carolina following a Change of Command ceremony earlier this summer for Lieutenant Colonel Christopher C. McDonald II.
McDonald's parents, Colvin and Jane of Poplar Bluff, along with his sisters and nieces and five family members from Atlanta, Ga., all made the trip to Cherry Point, N.C., to witness the momentous occasion.
"We are very, very proud of him," Jane said of her son.
The Change of Command ceremony is a tradition that symbolizes the passing of authority from the outgoing commander to the incoming commanding officer. The passing of the unit flag from one to the next represents, to the men and women who serve in that command, the continuity of the commander's authority.
This transfer of colors from the outgoing commanding officer shows a relinquishment of responsibility, authority and accountability. By accepting the colors, the incoming commanding officer confirms his commitment to the Marines he now serves and takes charge of the expectations given to him by the previous commander.
"I thought the ceremony was wonderful," Jane said adding music was played by the military band and all flags were presented.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Petersen turned over his authority to McDonald during the ceremony June 15.
"Christopher thanked everyone for coming and for getting him to where he is today, so that was emotional," Jane said.
McDonald was then able to take his family to where he will be working with aircraft for a tour.
"It was very interesting," Jane said.
Through moves all over the U.S. and two deployments, McDonald's parents and family have experienced a roller coaster of emotions during his 20 years of service.
As a mother, Jane said she was skeptical about her son being deployed overseas because of the unknown of what was happening.
"It was nail biting both times," Jane said of son's two deployments. "I was not exactly sure what was going on over there, but I was glad when he came home and didn't have to go back."
Physically, Jane added her son came home the way he was deployed so "everything turned out well."
McDonald's wife, Anne, and three sons, Braeden, Chayse and Preston, also attended the Change of Command ceremony to support the husband and father they have stood beside all along during his highly decorated military career.
"They have been right there with him," Jane said through the many moves. "They have stayed together as a family."
During one of McDonald's deployments, Anne was pregnant with Chayse.
Proving to be as tough as her husband, Anne was on her way to the hospital to deliver their son, who decided he was not going to wait.
"She had him in the parking lot of a McDonalds in Washington, Mo.," Jane said.
In July 1998, McDonald attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, Calif., and graduated in October. Upon completion of Recruit Training, he was assigned as a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Specialist and attended school at Fort McClellan Army Base in Anniston, Ala.
After graduation, Lance Corporal McDonald checked into Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Second Force Service Support Group, where he served as an instructor for the Marine Force Atlantic NBC School until Oct. 1999.
Corporal McDonald then reported to Officer Candidate School, Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va., as an Officer Candidate. He graduated OCS and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Dec. 1999.
In July 2000, Second Lieutenant McDonald completed the Officer Basic Course and reported to Marine Corps Aviation Supply Officer Basic Qualification Course, Naval Supply Corps School in Athens, Ga.
Upon graduation in Dec. 2000, he reported to MALS-13, MAG-13, MCAS in Yuma, Ariz., for duty as an Aviation Supply Officer. During this tour, he served as a Division Officer in Charge and deployed with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 to Al Asad Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2005, Captain McDonald was selected to attend Expeditionary Warfare School, Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. After graduation in 2006, he reported to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, MCRD in Parris Island, S.C., where he served as Company Commander, Range Company, followed by Director of Schools.
In 2009, Captain McDonald transferred to MALS-14, MAG-14, MCAS in Cherry Point, N.C., for duty as the Assistant Aviation Supply Officer, followed by duty as the Aviation Supply Officer. During his tour, he deployed as the Aviation Supply Officer for MALS-40, 2d MAW Forward, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Major McDonald was selected to attend the College of Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College in Rhode Island in 2012. He then reported to Aviation Logistics Branch, Department of Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., after graduation in 2013 to serve as the Assistance Aviation Supply Officer.
In 2016, Major McDonald transferred to Fleet Readiness Center East, MCAS in Cherry Point, N.C., for duty as the Military Deputy Group Head, Logistics and Industrial Operations. During this tour, he was selected and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
"He really puts his heart and soul into his job," Jane said. "He really likes the Marine Corps and has a big support system."