Pete Owen, Class of 1986
1981-2007
Midshipman Experience
Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Lt. Col. Pete Owen enlisted in the Marines in 1981 and served as a sentry with Marine Barracks Yorktown. He then entered the Naval Academy in 1982 as a member of the 1st company. Lt. Col. Owen majored in History and is most proud of his time as a platoon commander during plebe summer. He graduated in 1986 as an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps.
Career Background
His distinguished career involves various leadership roles in multiple combat and training units at duty stations ranging from Northern Iraq and Okinawa, to South Carolina and Hawaii. Lt. Col. Owen’s final assignment was directing Amphibious Raid, Reconnaissance and Water Survival training in Coronado, California.
Lt. Col. Owen is currently a doctoral candidate in the War Studies Programme at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. His research concentrates on the United States Marine Corps and the World Wars and he is completing his dissertation, US Marine Corps Aviation in the Second World War: Its Effectiveness in Support of the Pacific Fleet. He also earned master’s degrees in Military Studies from the Marine Corps University and in Cyber Security from University of Maryland University College.
The History Major
Some of Lt. Col. Owen’s fondest memories as a History Major were attending Professor John Huston's lectures on the American War of Independence. Professor Huston was a terrific lecturer and wonderful storyteller who flew B-17s in the Second World War and retired from the Air Force as a major general.
Studying history enabled Lt. Col. Owen to launch his writing career. His master's thesis at Marine Corps University provided the foundation for his book, To the Limit of Endurance: A Battalion of Marines in the Great War, which the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation selected in 2008 as the outstanding book pertinent to Marine Corps history. He recently co-authored A Hideous Price: The 4th Marine Brigade at Blanc Mont, 2-10 October 1918 for the Marine Corps History Division. He has also published two Marines’ memoirs of the First World War.
Sage Advice
"The most important skill midshipmen need is the ability to make sound judgments under pressure. This requires both assessment and reason. Pressure can come from not having enough time, from fatigue, from fear, and from uncertainty. I believe studying history can help develop this skill. Reading books and hearing lectures helps midshipmen sharpen their ability to absorb and filter information. Discussing and writing about what they have learned sharpens their ability to think critically."