People on the move: Marine Cpl. Timothy Birlew Published Feb. 4, 2009 By Bob Fehringer U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Cpl. Timothy Birlew, 25, is one of approximately 29 U.S. Marines assigned to the U. S. Transportation Command where he works as an administrative assistant in the command section's joint secretariat. Corporal Birlew entered the Marine Corps from Poplar Bluff, Mo., in July 2004. After basic training he was assigned to the 12th Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division at Okinawa, Japan, until January 2006 when he was deployed to the Philippines prior to coming to Scott in 2007. "I joined the Marines to do something worthwhile for my country, other than voting," Corporal Birlew said. "My Marine Occupational Specialty is 0151/Legal and Administrative. If I was in the Fleet Marine Force, I would be running the legal section of the S-1/G-1 admin department. I deal with court-martial and non-judicial punishments." At USTRANSCOM, in addition to his administrative duties, Corporal Birlew is a security monitor, equipment monitor and safety manager. He volunteers whatever free time he has to the USTRANSCOM color guard where he participates in formal ceremonies, parades and the presentation of the colors at professional sporting events. "USTRANSCOM has taught me a lot as a young Marine," Corporal Birlew said. "The joint environment has been a learning process, (to) adapt and overcome. Not one service goes to combat alone. We all go together. There's a lot of camaraderie here, (I have) great leaders and devoted teammates. "However," he continued, "it's been a long two years and I'm ready to go back to the fleet." Corporal Birlew and his wife, Alexa, live in Mascoutah with their six-month-old daughter, Isabella Ann.