As a collateral duty inspector with Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 1, Lance Cpl. Nicholas E. Pope's job is to inspect the completion of maintenance on EA-6B Prowlers.
<p>A Prowler doesn't lift off the ground without Pope's final inspections, a job few in his unit are authorized to sign off on.
</p><p>"Being a young E-3 and holding such a high billet is a great honor," said Pope a native of Albuquerque, N.M.
</p><p>As a CDI it is Pope's job to issue out maintenance jobs and orders to Marines of various ranks. Using tact and professionalism he informs those of equal or higher ranks of jobs he needs them to complete to effectively support the mission of VMAQ-1.
</p><p>Pope indicated the hardest part of his job is keeping his wits and sanity knowing if there is a mishap with an aircraft he has authorized to fly he must be accountable and accept the consequences of his decision.
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"My job is important but I have realized that this is much bigger than me. It's about the completion of the mission and the safety of our fellow Marines," he said.
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Not going unnoticed, Pope has been named Marine of the Quarter for his squadron twice, been the recipient of multiple meritorious mast certificates and will be meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal on December 2.
Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom
Taken on 1 November 2012
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