WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange High School Class of 2011 alumnus Leonard “Matt” Dunovant is enjoying the challenge of serving his country as Weapons Platoon commander and Fire Support Team leader for Weapons Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 3D Marines.
“My Marines range in age from 18 to 33 and prove to be both professionals of the warfighting craft in both study and practice, and men of boisterous, rowdy and fun-loving characteristics forming a diverse and dynamic family from the brotherhood they always had,” Dunovant said in a press release.
Prior to his appointment as Weapons Platoon commander, Dunovant served as Rifle Platoon commander for 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 3D Marines.
“Both platoons are comprised of some of the most intellectual minds, technical and tactical experts, and dynamic leaders in their fields,” Dunovant said. “They come from a multitude of career paths prior to selecting to be infantrymen: construction workers, mechanics, pipe welders, EMTs, oyster shuckers, some straight from high school, and others with college degrees ranging from associate’s degrees to bachelor’s of science in biomedical engineering. They come from all around the country and some from outside its borders.”
Dunovant, 24, attended West Orange High School where he was an academic and wrestling standout. Following his graduation in 2011, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in economics with honors. His passion for ethics dominated his efforts working with professors Pamela Schmitt and Kurtis Swope on research first begun at the London School of Economics and focusing on behavioral economics, specifically collective action and cooperation.
The USMC also boasts Josh Dunovant, 22, a 2012 WOHS grad and Matt Dunovant’s younger brother, among its ranks. Josh Dunovant recently completed his active duty and is now in the reserves on a fast track for a college degree in international supply chain management and logistical operations from Arizona State University.
“My first salute as a commissioned officer came from Josh,” Matt Dunovant said.
Somewhere in between the whirlwind and rigorous pace of training, Matt Dunovant met and married his best friend and love of his life, George-Ann “Annie” Lubin, an elementary school teacher, on June 25, 2016.
“I returned home from training in Twentynine Palms, Calif., and graduated the infantry officer course at 6 a.m. in Quantico, Va.,” Matt Dunovant said, “and at 1 p.m. that same day at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Md., I married Annie.”
When asked what advice he would offer to West Orange High School students, Matt Dunovant said: “Find out what you love to do, have a vision and write it down. Set your goals and find out what is required to get there. Each challenge, each obstacle, each wall — whether family, finance, past failures, heartache, more failures, physical injury, handicap, self-doubt, laziness, even more failures or apathetic mindset — is an opportunity to grow. Focus on the small details, every action or inaction counts, and be intentional with how you spend your 84,000 seconds each day. To every challenge, bring a positive attitude. Lastly, and firstly, pray.”
As for goals, Matt Dunovant said he wants to ensure that he trains strong and effective leaders for the future.
“I would like to make the Marine Corps a stronger and more effective fighting force each day that I am privileged to be a part,” he said. “I believe that that begins with taking seriously and being intentional about the impact had on every Marine under my command both past and present. One day, the United States will again need its Corps to do the hard work — the heavy lifting and the decisive fighting — in defense of the nation’s freedoms and national interests, and it will likely be one of my most junior Marines in the leadership billets of tomorrow taking on and leading in that fight.”
Photos Courtesy of WOSD
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