Repairman works into family’s legacy

Story and Photos by Cpl. Robert C. Medina

Tucked away on the deck of USS Comstock (LSD 45), working out of a storage container, is a Marine who repairs communication resources and electronics.

For Cpl. Brenton F. Sangster, a personal computer/telephone repairman assigned to Maintenance Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the love of gadgetry is in his heart, but the love of the Marine Corps is in his blood.

Sangster is the fourth generation to become a Marine in his family.

“Since I was a kid I always knew I wanted to become a Marine like my old man,” said Sangster.

“I am proud to carry on that tradition.”

Working with electronics is something Sangster takes great interest in.“I really like to take electronics apart then put them back together,” said Sangster. “The Marine Corps has taught me to put them back together properly so they work.”

Sangster said the Marine Corps is based on communication and if gear needs to be fixed, his shop will do their part in making sure it works properly.

“Our job is important because of the various communication components that we can fix,” said Sangster, from Mission Viejo, Calif. “If a piece of equipment goes down that is used for communicating, the mission can be jeopardized.”

Learning the proper way to handle sensitive pieces of equipment to protect them from shorting out is also important said Sangster.

“Sometimes all it takes is just a little of static electricity from the body to short out a component,” said Sangster.

When Sangster is not working on a computer or any other piece of equipment, he likes to help his fellow Marines with their own electronics.

“I like to help out other Marines here on ship if they have a broken iPod or laptop, we will take parts from other broken electronics and try to replace them,” said Sangster. “‘One broke is better than two broke’ we say around here.”