09/02/2026
“My father was a combat engineer with 6th ESB, so that kind of propelled me throughout my childhood to want to join the Marine Corps,” said Hastings. “Eventually, the time came, and I enlisted in the reserve and haven’t looked back.” -Staff Sergeant Jonathan Hastings
SSgt Hastings, a water purification specialist with 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, participated in exercise Northern Strike 26-2. Hastings is a native of Michigan.
"Representing the state of Michigan feels great,” said Hastings. “I feel like I can really put forth the best that Michigan has to offer."
Northern Strike is an Army sponsored, multi-component, multi-national exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability to fight and win. Northern Strike 26-2, Michigan’s largest and longest joint readiness exercise, is held from August 1 to August 15, 2026, at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center. This year’s exercise will feature around 9,000 participants.
