Honoring Service: How the Marines Shaped John Dugan’s Life and Perspective

Before helping clients navigate New York City’s competitive real estate market, John Dugan of Brown Harris Stevens’ Skyline Advisory Team served his country as an Infantry Combat Team Leader in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he led missions overseas with grit and determination.

“My time in the Marines was incredible. It was the best of times and the worst of times,” John notes.

John Dugan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2002, just months after the September 11 attacks—a moment that clarified his purpose and left no question about his desire to serve.

As an Infantry Team Leader, he led a four-Marine fire team on combat missions in Iraq and the southern Philippines, including what he notes as the most intense moment of his military career: the Battle of Fallujah, known as Operation Phantom Fury, which took place from November 7 to December 23, 2004. It is considered one of the most intense urban combat engagements of the Iraq War. He was among the first Marines to enter the city at the start of the operation; it was a moment that would shape him forever.

“The experience changed my whole outlook on life. I went through real loss, and it is hard to even describe what that does to you. It made me see how short and precious life is. It deepened my empathy and gave me a strong sense of responsibility to make the most of my life since so many of my friends never came home,” John said.

In the years that followed his time in the Marines, he moved through many different chapters of life: new careers, school, marriage, and fatherhood. While working as a chef in several high-profile restaurants across Manhattan, he found himself constantly reminded of the contrast between life-or-death situations overseas and the small frustrations people often magnify at home.

“…someone would lose it over a plate of pasta, and I would think to myself that Marines are still dying in Iraq right now while this person is losing their mind over pasta. Sadly, I find myself needing to remind myself of that perspective a little more lately,” he notes.

Although he has garnered success within the fast-paced New York City real estate industry, the transition from the military to civilian life is often a challenging one. As he states that one has to adjust and learn how to do so quickly. When asked what guidance he would give to veterans beginning their next chapter, John spoke candidly about the importance of moving forward, despite the circumstances:

“I say this with real care: when you get out you cannot retire from life. There is still a lot of living ahead. You have to keep working, growing, and defining who you are. Too often I see veterans check out after their time in the service. It can have a real negative effect on their mind and spirit. You have to stay engaged and keep building your life.“

Despite acknowledging that real estate can be a tough business filled with seemingly unbearable situations at times, John notes very rarely are they as bad as they seem. He faces the obstacles of day-to-day life holding close to him the values of leadership, integrity, and perseverance.

Of all the lessons he learned during his time in combat, John finds that what he learned about fear to be the most significant, reminding himself that “…you have to keep moving forward even when you are scared. If you push through, you come out stronger on the other side.”

John Dugan’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and forward motion—a reminder that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. The lessons he carried home from combat and beyond continue to shape the way he leads, works, and lives today. Whether guiding clients through the complexities of a real estate transaction or navigating the challenges that come with everyday life, he approaches each moment with the same clarity, discipline, and compassion forged from his time as a United States Marine. For John, living life to its fullest is about continually pushing yourself forward– in doing so, he not only builds his own life, but inspires others to keep building theirs.