Former MCLB-Albany commanding officer, Col. Don Davis, continuing to serve his nation

ALBANY — The military career that began for a teenage boy from New Jersey 27 years ago is coming to a close soon, and there appeared to be no better place, from his perspective, to celebrate that new chapter than with his friends and family in Albany, where he spent some of the latter years of his career.

Col. Don Davis, former commanding officer of Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, came back to Southwest Georgia last week — nearly two years after moving on from Albany to become strategy and campaign plans chief for North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo. — to ring in his retirement.

When he came back, Davis was exposed once again to the many connections he left behind, connections he said were like no other he established during his time with the Marine Corps.

“I’m really excited,” Davis said of the transition. “I would stay in the Marine Corps forever, but you’ve got to get out sometime.”

Davis, 49, was offered the role of Jefferson County, Colo. manager last month, where he will head up an entity employed by 3,000 people. When the time seemed right to move on, he said it was an offer he could not refuse.

“After being offered the job I walked in the next day and (gave notice) for my retirement,” the retiring colonel said.

During his three years at MCLB-Albany, there was some speculation that Davis might consider a similar position in Albany, but he instead opted to stay in a place where Pikes Peak would be visible from his front door. At the same time, however, Davis said he wanted to mark the special occasion with the people — including community leaders — in Southwest Georgia who still have a place in his heart.

“I wanted to come back and celebrate with my Albany family,” he said. “This community really helped me shape the (person) I am today.”

That person is one who wants to make a difference in his country and Davis’ said the opportunity in Golden, Colo. came about while he was looking for a way to serve in a slightly different capacity.

“I find it just as patriotic as the folks in uniform,” Davis said. “I’m leaving one brotherhood but joining another brotherhood.

“It is still about serving. It was a deal I could not refuse in terms of opportunity.”

The Davis family, most of which is enjoying Colo., is also happy about not having to move again. His oldest daughter, a teacher, is relocating to be closer to her parents while his other daughter is currently attending medical school in Chapel Hill, N.C. Davis and his wife have two sons still living at home.

“My wife is looking forward to no deployments,” the colonel said. “I will still be serving. The Marine Corps is all we’ve known for 27 years (and we will be adjusting to) life on the other side.

“There is no such thing as a former Marine — once a Marine, always a Marine. I will still be plugged into the brotherhood.”

Davis said he was no stranger to military life, having a father who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, upon being exposed to the Marine track, he found that to be the most unique and most challenging.

“I saw the Marine Corps as the highest challenge, and I wanted to take on the highest one,” he said.

The branch he referred to as the “world’s finest fighting force” did well in meeting Davis’ expectations.

“It is a brotherhood like no other, and I think it’s prepared me for the next chapter,” he said. “It would be foolish of me not to use (acquired talents and knowledge) in the next chapter.

“When you search out opportunity, the leadership piece will come. There is a little bit of that in every one of us.”

Davis said that he has no regrets about how things have played out, and is confident he would not trade the experience he has had for anything.

“Looking back, it was a way to develop character,” he said. “(I’m most looking forward now) to serving people and the daily challenge (of) improving opportunity in peoples lives.”

In his new role, Davis will be responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships in his community while acting as a good steward of taxpayer money. Such a responsibility carries a different amount of weight in a small community, where partnerships can act as the community’s backbone.

“The opportunity to go out and serve on that level is something I really look forward to,” Davis said.

Specific to the county he will be in, a balance needs to be found between keeping the outdoor scenery it is known for in tact, while fostering economic development at the same time.

“I’m very much looking forward to that,” Davis said.

He added that, even though there is a beautiful view where he is, Southwest Georgia will continue to be a special place for him. Even though he is leaving behind his military service, he still values the relationships he has developed at MCLB, and every other duty station he as served at, which rings true to the “Country, Corps and Community” motto he has always held to.

“The most memorable thing is the relationships and brotherhood,” he said. “The beauty of relationships is that I can keep them. The relationships I have will last forever.

“The day-to-day interaction of being in the uniform, I think I will miss that … What I will miss the most about the Marine Corps I will be doing it in a slightly (lesser) capacity on the government side.”

As far as his experience in Southwest Georgia is concerned, Davis said he has missed the hospitality and friendships he found in his time here.

“Albany’s got character,” he said. “There truly is only one Albany.”

Davis said he has kept in touch with some people in the Albany area, and still looks to the region’s media outlets to get a feel for what has been happening in the community since his departure.

It has been this incentive to keep in the loop that has allowed him to see the aftermath of the severe storms that hit Albany in January.

“The signs of a strong community is how they pull together (when) in need,” he said. “I’ve been watching that from afar.

“It is good to see Albany still believes in itself.”

The resolve of the community, and its leaders, was another quality that does not appear in quite the same way in Colorado from Davis’ point of view.

“I miss that every day,” Davis said. “That’s why I came back to Albany.”

When approached by someone considering a military career, Davis’ advice has been to ensure their choice allows them to explore their skill sets and that they have a true heart of service.

“The biggest mistake is to not have a heart of service and just do it,” he said.

Davis himself grew up in government assisted housing and was working at McDonald’s when the chance to go into the Corps was presented to him, and it was that heart that kept him going.

The Marines saw something in him and put him through school.

“No matter what the personality, what they choose, you have to have a vision,” he said. “Without vision, people will perish.

“(I encourage people) to write their vision down and put it on their desk. (Seeing that) in those tough times will help them see the path again.”

The concept of a vision is something he hoped to bring home to those attending his retirement ceremony on Monday.

“My message to Southwest Georgia will be to keep having that vision and believe in themselves,” Davis said. “If people believe in that and act on it, things will continue to improve and opportunity will come.”