Michael Paternostro

Background

About Michael Paternostro

Since graduating high school I have been fortunate to have many diverse experiences. I started with a five year contract with the Marine Corps. I had many great opportunities in the Marines. In boot camp I learned teamwork, discipline and focus. All of these were the building blocks to my future success. I first applied these skills as a Special Intelligence Communicator and System Administrator. This job was highly technical and focused on secure digital communications. With a team of approximately 10 Marines, we built and maintained secure communications between Camp Al Asad, Iraq and the General of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. This employed many hours of problem solving and troubleshooting every week. My military experience did not end with Signals Intelligence. While stationed in Miramar, I was selected through a rigorous selection process as one of Marines to be a Marine Corps Embassy Security Guard. This position is regarded in high esteem with the Corps and the State Department due to the importance of the mission. This duty took me to various diplomatic posts around the world including, Belgrade, Serbia; Caracas, Venezuela; and Tallinn, Estonia. In addition to my normal duties as a Marine Security Guard I was sent on a POTUS (President of the United States) security detail in Moscow, Russia in 2009. This was another great honor. Following a successful five year contract in the Marines, I applied to and was accepted by Drexel. I chose this school because of the strength of its business program and on the recommendation of other Marine Corps Vets. These Vets all had great experiences dealing with Drexel. I am currently completing my dual B.S. in Finance and Legal studies.