Photo Information

Corporal Jonathan Walker, a fiscal agent with Disbursing, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, analyzes data aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27, 2013. Marines in Disbursing support the war effort on multiple fronts, ranging from providing spending allowances to Marines during deployment to providing Marine Special Operations Command units pay to use for counterinsurgency operations.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez

Fiscal agent supports war effort on multiple fronts

3 Sep 2013 | Lance Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez 1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - As a child, Jonathan Walker’s grandfather adamantly taught him the importance of being a "Good Samaritan" - that the most important thing in life was to do for others as much as you do for yourself.

Now a corporal and fiscal agent with Disbursing, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Walker applies those same values to his military service and supports other Marines both when deployed and in garrison.

“Disbursing supports the financial part of the Marine Corps,” said Walker. “As part of the MLG, we assist with deployed missions, as far as accounting, fund allocation and receiving cash while they’re forward.”

Walker, a soft-spoken and insightful individual, seems to be a perfect fit to the mentally demanding disbursing field. As he looks over the numbers and data on his desk, he uses his mathematical skills and keen attention to detail to get the job done.

Returning from deployment in February, Walker was faced with multiple new tasks and billets to perform as a fiscal agent non-commissioned-officer in garrison.

“You have to be humble, it’s a lot of different billets and sections so it’s important to learn from the Marines who have been there, keep an open mind and do a lot of research,” said Walker, a native of Detroit, Mich.

Walker’s humility, openness and technical proficiency allowed him to be recognized as the NCO of the quarter for his section.

However, being a fiscal agent is not merely a desk job, and Walker was afforded opportunities to prove his abilities in the field and to support those fighting in the front line.

“We’re out there, boots on the ground, and we provide that money to the Marines and keep them happy and boost their morale,” said Walker. “When you make that Marine smile after being out there for so many months, it’s all worth it.”

Walker not only provided money for Marines in Afghanistan but also provided Marine Corps Special Operations Command units with battle damage pay for any collateral damage. Additionally, Walker has supported civilian contractors who in turn support forward operating bases and chow halls.

For Walker, the best feeling is when he sees the reactions of Marines who receive money while deployed.

“When we went to Afghanistan, we were assigned to a forward operating base to provide a spending allowance and the unit I had been sent to had not seen a disbursing unit for six months,” said Walker. “When we showed up, it was like Christmas. It made me feel good to be able to help them."

Walker finds fulfillment in being a Marine and helping others. For him it is not merely a job, it is a way of life.

1st Marine Logistics Group