AFCEA Monthly Luncheon – June 21, 2011
Major David K. Norton
USMC
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Major Norton is a Marine Communications Officer currently stationed at the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) aboard Camp Pendleton, California. He is assigned as the branch head for the Operating Forces Tactical Systems Support Center (OFTSSC), a 24/7 help desk that provides C4I support to units around the globe. Not a standard help desk, the OFTSSC maintains subject matter expertise on multiple systems and deploys its personnel to provide direct over-the-shoulder support when and where it is needed. Major Norton personally led teams to both Iraq and Afghanistan to provide support to Marine combat units in theater. These teams of government civilians, contractors, and active duty Marines provided the bridge between operational requirements and technical solutions for the supported units. Major Norton led his teams to austere, forward-deployed locations where the units did not have access to technical support. He ensured that tactical systems at these sites were restored to operational status and optimal condition, allowing combat units to use their C4I systems more effectively.
Major Norton has additionally been a key advocate for exercise Combined Endeavor, a U.S. European Command led exercise involving over 40 nations. This exercise is promoted as the world’s largest communications interoperability exercise and includes NATO, Partnership for Peace, and other participating nations and organizations. Major Norton has overseen the increased participation by the U.S. Marine Corps to address interoperability problems that can provide real-world solutions for operational employment.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Major Norton has served over 22 years in the Marine Corps. He spent nine years as an enlisted air traffic controller prior to being commissioned. He has a B.S. in Political Science from Oregon State University and an M.S. in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School. Major Norton’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars, and various unit and expeditionary awards. In January 2011, he was honored at AFCEA West as a Copernicus Award recipient.
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