Colonel Dowdys command assignments include: rifle and Dragon platoon commander, Second Battalion, Eighth Marines (1980-83); Company Commander, Company E, Second Battalion, Sixth Marines (Second Battalion, Sixth Marines was redesignated as Second Battalion, Eighth Marines) (1988-1990); Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, Second Battalion, Eighth Marines (1990); Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Keflavik, Iceland (1990-1992); Commanding Officer, First Battalion, First Marines (1998-2000).
Colonel Dowdys staff assignments include: Marine Corps Recruiting Station LittleRock, Operations Officer and Executive Officer (1983-1986); Assistant Operations Officer (S-3A), Second Battalion, Sixth Marines (1987-1988); Operations Officer (S-3), Second Battalion, Eighth Marines (1990); Crisis-Action Plans Officer, Operations Directorate (J-3), United States Central Command (1993-1996); G-3 Operations Officer, 1st Marine Division (1996-1998); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 1st Marine Division (2000); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5, First Marine Expeditionary Force (2001-2002). .
Colonel Dowdys personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.