67-Year-Old Navy Officer Becomes Oldest to Earn Fleet Marine Force Pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westenberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, became the oldest service member on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. Inspired by his son’s 2022 Navy officer graduation, Westenberg commissioned at age 64 after a 38-year dentistry career. He studied early mornings and weekends for months to pass exams and paperwork for the pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations. Westenberg, preparing to leave the Navy, encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones.
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Navy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westenberg, a 67-year-old former dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest service member on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force Qualification Officer (FMFQO) insignia pin. Inspired by his son's Navy officer graduation in 2022, Westenberg pursued a commission at age 64. He dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for the exams and completing paperwork for the pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations. Westenberg, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the pin helped him see beyond the dental chair and encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones. The achievement was reported by Marine Corps Times on June 16, 2026.
Marine Corps TimesNavy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westerberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. After a 38-year career in dentistry, Westerberg was inspired in 2022 at age 64 by watching his son graduate as a U.S. Navy officer to pursue a commission himself. He dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for exams and completing paperwork for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations and understanding of Marine Air Ground Task Force mission effectiveness. Westerberg, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the pin helped him see beyond the dental chair and encouraged others to step out of their comfort zones.
Marine Corps TimesNavy Officer, 67, Becomes Oldest on Record to Earn Fleet Marine Force Pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westenberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. After a 38-year career in dentistry, he was inspired to pursue a Navy commission in 2022 at age 64 after watching his son graduate as a U.S. Navy officer. Westenberg dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations and understanding of Marine Air Ground Task Force effectiveness. The officer, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the experience helped him see beyond the dental chair and encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones.
Navy TimesNavy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westenberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. Inspired by his son's graduation as a Navy officer in 2022, Westenberg pursued a commission at age 64 after a 38-year dentistry career. He spent months studying early mornings and weekends for the exams and paperwork required for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations. Westenberg, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the pin helped him see beyond the dental chair and encouraged others to step out of their comfort zones.
Military TimesNavy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westerberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. Inspired by his son's graduation as a Navy officer in 2022, Westerberg pursued a commission at age 64 after a 38-year dentistry career. He dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for the exams and completing paperwork required for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations and understanding of Marine Air Ground Task Force mission effectiveness. Westerberg, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the pin helped him see beyond the dental chair and better understand where Marines are going and what they prepare for. He encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones and strive for self-improvement.
Navy TimesNavy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westerberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. Inspired by his son's graduation as a U.S. Navy officer in 2022, Westerberg pursued a commission at age 64 after a 38-year career in dentistry. He dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for the exams and completing paperwork required for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations and understanding of Marine Air Ground Task Force mission effectiveness. Westerberg, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the qualification helped him see beyond the dental chair and better understand the Marines' mission. He encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones and strive for self-improvement.
Military TimesNavy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westerberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. Inspired by his son's graduation as a Navy officer in 2022, Westerberg pursued a commission at age 64. He dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for the exams and completing paperwork required for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations. Westerberg, who had a 38-year career in dentistry, is preparing to leave the Navy later this year. He encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones and strive for self-improvement.
Navy TimesNavy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Westerberg, a 67-year-old dentist from Southern California, has become the oldest recipient on record to earn the Fleet Marine Force qualification insignia pin. After a 38-year career in dentistry, Westerberg was inspired in 2022 at age 64 by watching his son graduate as a U.S. Navy officer to pursue a commission himself. He dedicated months of early mornings and weekends to studying for the exams and completing paperwork required for the FMF pin, which signifies proficiency in Marine Corps operations and understanding of Marine Air Ground Task Force mission effectiveness. Westerberg, who is preparing to leave the Navy later this year, said the pin helped him see beyond the dental chair and encouraged others to step outside their comfort zone.
Military Times