John Pownall

I am John Pownall, the new Physician/Provider Recruiter (PPR) for Beckley, based out of Falling Waters, WV. I'm incredibly grateful and honored to be selected for this position to serve veterans like myself who have sacrificed for our country's freedom.

I want to share a little about my experience, my relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. I was born in Romney, West Virginia where I lived for most of my life until my family moved to Cumberland, Maryland.  After High school, I joined Active-duty Army in September 1993 for 8 years, then I decided to return to the area to pursue my education. My assignments include serving in 1-5th INF, Korea, 1-16th INF, Ft. Riley, KS, and 1-23rd INF, Ft. Lewis, WA. After serving 8 years on Active duty, I joined the Maryland Army National Guard where I was assigned to A Co 1-115th INF, Frederick, MD, for 2 years and then reassigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion for 15 years. My positions include Recruiting and Retention NCO, Recruiting Team Chief, Senior Guidance Counselor (Baltimore MEPS), Recruiting Supervisor, Recruiting Company 1SG, Recruiting Operations SGM and retiring as the Recruiting Battalion Command Sergeant Major. I served in Afghanistan from May 2011 to June 2012 as Operations Non-commissioned officer for the 1297th Logistics Battalion. My service between Active-Duty Army, and the Army National Guard totals over 28 years.

I’m a graduate of the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy (2019) and Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Business. Other Military education include: Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Human Resources Course (42A), Infantry Basic and AIT (11B), Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention NCO SQI4 Course (79T), Company Command First Sergeant Pre-Command Course (CCFSPC), Advanced Non - Commissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Army National Guard Guidance Counselor Course, Army National Guard Recruiting Non-commissioned officer Course, Airlift Planners Course, Air Mobility Operations Group Course, Master Gunners Course, Air Assault Course, Airborne School, Fire Safety Course, and Bradley Evaluator Course.

I started working for VISN 5 in September 2021, where I was assigned as a Recruitment and placement Specialist for Echo team. I was assigned Title 38 Onboarding for Beckley, Huntington, Clarksburg, and Martinsburg Medical centers from January 2022 until June 2022. Then in July, due to the Staffing realignment, I was reassigned to Clarksburg, and Martinsburg until December 2022. January 2023 until July 30 was assigned to the SBU team at the Washington DC medical Center. I attended the Physician Recruiter University training in March 2023.

My experience with the VA started my father. He was a Vietnam Veteran and received all his care at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center for many years. I would visit him and saw how well he was cared for during his appointments and admissions within the Center. I remember him telling me it was the best care a Veteran could receive.  Since retiring, I started receiving my care at the Martinsburg facility. My personal experience with the VAMC began with my father and continues today.

I’m looking forward to my new assignment here at Beckley as the PPR. 

Thank you,

John Pownall

(304) 261-9780