First Sergeant Dustin L. Schappell is a native of Hamburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the delayed entry program in July 1991 and upon graduating from Hamburg Area High School in June 1992, reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina for Recruit Training. Upon completion, he attended Marine Combat Training and School of Infantry (East) at Camp Lejeune, NC, earning the Military Occupational Specialty 0311.
After graduating from the School of Infantry in January 1993, Private First Class Schappell was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he held billets as a Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman. Promoted to Lance Corporal shortly after being assigned, Lance Corporal Schappell served in that capacity until being medically separated from the Marine Corps.
Lance Corporal Schappell transitioned back to civilian life and pursued a degree in Criminal Justice while also being appointed to the Baltimore Police Academy, Baltimore, Maryland in August 1997. He earned his Associates Degree in 2001 while firmly establishing his career in the Baltimore Police Department. He served four years in the Uniformed Patrol Division and in August 2001, entered the selection process for the department's SWAT Team. He was selected to the team in October 2001 where he served until his retirement from the department in November 2023 with over 26 years of dedicated and exemplary service to the citizens of Baltimore. He currently works for the Department of Defense in his new civilian career.
Due to the events of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, former Lance Corporal Schappell began the long and arduous process of re-enlisting back into the Marine Corps under a medical waiver. He was granted re-entry in May 2007 and joined Echo Company, 2d Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment in Harrisburg, PA. Lance Corporal Schappell was appointed fire team leader duties and was meritoriously promoted to Corporal in March 2008. He activated with Echo Company in May 2008 in support of combat operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom 8-02.
Upon arriving in Iraq, Corporal Schappell, because of his background, was selected out of the Battalion's law enforcement officers, detached and reassigned without the benefit of Advisor Trainer Group School, to Police Transition Teams PTT-21 and PTT-8 in Rutbah, Al Anbar Province. Corporal Schappell seamlessly integrated with the established team and was quickly appointed Anti-terrorism Force Protection Chief, Assistant Operations Chief, and Machine Gun Leader by PTT-21 and PTT-8's Officer-in-Charge because of his background and experience. Corporal Schappell planned and executed over 100 mounted and dismounted combat
patrols. He served as patrol leader for over 30 dismounted joint patrols with members of the Iraqi Security Forces. Post deployment, Corporal Schappell assumed the billets of Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant in August 2009. He was promoted to Sergeant in April 2010 and assumed Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Commander responsibilities for 2nd Platoon.
Sergeant Schappell was promoted to Staff Sergeant in June 2014 and assigned the Company Gunnery Sergeant billet. With the departure of the Company First Sergeant in May 2017, Staff Sergeant Schappell was thrust into the Company First Sergeant billet in June 2017 leading right into ITX. Staff Sergeant Schappell accepted the challenge in stride and held that billet through June 2019. He was selected as the SNCO of the year in 2019 and was reassigned to 2nd Platoon Sergeant duties when leadership gaps were filled.
Staff Sergeant Schappell was activated in January 2021 and deployed to Italy and Germany in support of Marine Forces Europe in their theater of operation. Selected for Gunnery Sergeant, upon returning to Echo Company in May 2021, he was promoted and again assumed Company First Sergeant duties and held the First Sergeant billet off and on through March 2023. Gunnery Sergeant Schappell departed Echo Company in March 2023 and joined Division Headquarters staff, 4th Marine Division as Training Chief and Exercise Plans Chief. He was promoted to First sergeant in November 2024 and assumed his current assignment as Battery First Sergeant, Battery I 3rd Battalion 14th Marines.
First Sergeant Schappell has been involved with numerous non-profit organizations. First Sergeant Schappell's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal with 2 gold stars, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation.