Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Mike O’Brien Jr. poses with photographs of his grandparents, Frank and Margaret. Both served in the military and influenced his decision to join. Like their grandson, both achieved the rank of sergeant.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To suggest a veteran for this series, which runs weekly through Veterans Day, email Metro Editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com or call her at 330-841-1737.

WARREN — Whether it was in college, during his military service or career, Mike O’Brien wanted to support others.

“My grandfather, Frank, was a Marine and I was always drawn to that,” O’Brien said. “They held themselves to a different kind of standard. I liked that. They’re the first ones in, last to leave. I liked that mentality. Someone you can always count on. That’s the social worker that I try to embody as well. Someone that’s always there. They’re with you when it’s good. They’re with you when it’s bad. All around, somebody you can count on.”

His grandmother, Margaret, was in the U.S. Army (Women’s Army Corps) and during the Korean War worked as a nurse in a hospital in Osaka, Japan. She went on a blind date with Frank, and they eventually married while both were still stationed overseas.

“I asked her why she joined. Kind of a similar situation as me, she wanted to get out of Yonkers, New York, and I wanted to see the world,” O’Brien said.

After graduating from John F. Kennedy in 2004, he received a degree in human ecology from The Ohio State University.

“I graduated in the worst imaginable time, which was 2009, and the economy collapsed and there were no jobs. I always wanted to join the military. What better time than now?”

He continued, “I just needed a change, and I knew I wasn’t going to get that being complacent living in the state I was born in. I wanted to thrive and survive, see what I could do, see what I was made out of. ‘Could I move somewhere, be in the military and do phenomenal things?’ I don’t know unless I do it. I did it, and it was a very, very positive experience for me.”

A year after he said goodbye to OSU, O’Brien enlisted with the Marine Corps then waited for months in the Delayed Entry Program for his basic training deployment at Parris Island in South Carolina.

Being an adult with a college degree and life experiences made his time there run smoother than recruits straight out of high school.

“Me and two other guys were like the old men in the boot camp platoon that we were in. I already held several jobs, lived on my own while in college. Easy transition. Younger kids had a harder time. So, when the drill sergeant yelled, I just said (to myself), ‘Okay. I’ll just do whatever you need me to do because then it’s over with and done.”

After basic training, he took satellite communication courses in Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia.

“It’s almost like a college level class, learning the equipment, troubleshooting… because it’s only gonna break when it’s snowing, raining. When you’re in a violent area, that’s when it breaks,” he said, laughing in that dark-humored manner that comes from living through such situations.

Assigned to the First Marine Special Operations Battalion, O’Brien continued to learn about communications equipment — satellites, radios, computers, data networks — and was attached to a special operations unit, which supported Marine Corps operators on missions.

“When you’re in the military, you’re a constant student.”

Eventually, he was deployed to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan as a member of First Marine Special Operations Battalion, Alpha Company.

“My satellites were very, very small and used for anything from logistics or getting bad guys. So, rather than having a desk job, I was…in the dirt, I guess you could say. I set my little satellite dish up. Leadership would do whatever they needed to do to accomplish whatever the mission was. Then, disassemble, put it in my pack and be done for the day.”

Getting married to Kelsea while in the service and with thoughts of starting a family that doesn’t have to move every three to four years because of a new military assignment, O’Brien did not re-enlist. Instead, he finished his four-year stint in March of 2015 and returned to the Warren area.

Using the GI Bill, he obtained a master’s in social work from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA at Youngstown State University in health care.

“I gained valuable knowledge, and it helps me daily in my career,” he said.

As the Homeless Outreach Social Worker through the Department of Veterans Affairs for Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson and Carroll counties, he assists veterans with housing and finds out what services they need and, through the VA, links them to those services.

“It’s extremely challenging but incredibly rewarding. You’re working with your brothers and sisters that you served with as well in the military. Veterans like working with another veteran. It’s easy to build rapport, disclose different things.”

He added, “My position falls under health care. The goal is, if a veteran’s homeless, they probably have, maybe, a mental health issue going on or possibly substance abuse. Maybe, there’s a primary care need. So, we’re looking at the whole person.”

O’Brien proudly recalled that, shortly before he returned to civilian life, he joined his military grandparents in rank by becoming a sergeant.

“My grandparents exemplified military service, while my dad did a different kind of service — political service,” he said. “They always were disciplined, natural leaders, organized, never worried under pressure. They were in the military and learned those qualities. I wanted those qualities. Now, I’m where I am because of those qualities and I’m always very, very thankful for that, and that entire experience of the military.”

Mike O’Brien Jr.

AGE: 41

RESIDENCE: Warren

SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. Marine Corps

MILITARY HONORS: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 1 star), NATO ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Afghanistan Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sharpshooter Rifle Qualification Badge, Marksman Pistol Qualification Badge

OCCUPATION: Homeless Outreach Social Worker through the Department of Veterans Affairs for Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson and Carroll counties

FAMILY: wife of 12 years, Kelsea; son, Michael, 8; and daughter, Mila, 5