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HomeNewsArchivesMilitary News of Virgin Islanders - December 2004

Military News of Virgin Islanders – December 2004

Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see separate files in this section.
Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to source@viaccess.net. Provide the individual's full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. Please limit the information to about 200 words. We welcome photos.
Army Sgt. Augistine Auguste / St. Croix
Dec. 28, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Augistine Auguste has been promoted to the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army while deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Auguste is a truck driver with three years of military service. His parents, Oswald and Mary R. Auguste, reside in New Works, Saint Croix.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the operational mission objectives for U.S. armed forces members and coalition forces will focus on peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi Governing Council assumes full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq. The U.S. service members and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing its military to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence.
Air Force Senior Airman Monique F. George / St. Thomas
Dec. 26, 2004 (personal communication) – Air Force Senior Airman Monique F. George, a senior emergency actions controller at the Tyndall Air Force Base Command Post, will deploy for Operation Enduring Freedom to Iraq for the next six months.
George, 21 and a St. Thomas native, graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in 2001. She is the daughter of Theodora Creque-Smith of St. Thomas.
An emergency actions controller is the executive agent to the installation commander. Controllers normally works in a 24-hour operations center where they process reports, coordinate search and rescues and other emergencies, and monitor all base activities and functions. They also scramble aircraft that are on alert to protect the skies over the United States and Canada. Emergency action controllers also perform numerous other functions which are dependent on the base's mission.
Airman George has won numerous awards in recognition for her work performance
and ethics and was Airman of the Quarter for the Third Quarter of 2002.
She graduated basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base Texas in September 2001, and graduated technical training at Keesler Air Force Base Mississippi in November 2001. She was immediately assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing Tyndall in Florida.
Army National Guard Pvt. Nikima S. Richards / St. Croix
Dec. 21, 2004 – (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Nikima S. Richards has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
She is the daughter of Judith Austin of Estate Whim, Frederiksted, and a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex Vocational School.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
Army National Guard Pvt. N'Kiella Barthlett / St. Croix
Dec. 20, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. N'Kiella L. Barthlett has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Barthlett, the daughter of Shyluer and Alvis Barthlett of Sion Hill, St.
Croix, is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Army Lt. Col. James L. Collins / St. Thomas
Dec. 16, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – James L. Collins has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.
He is the grandson of Mae de Lugo of St. Thomas and the son of Beverly A. Collins of Silver Spring, Md.
Collins is an executive assistant to the Director of Intelligence with the U.S. Southern Command, Miami, Fla. He has 16 years of military service.
The lieutenant colonel graduated in 1983 from John F. Kennedy High School, Silver Spring, and received a bachelor's degree in 1987 from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Air Force Airman Everton Gardiner / St. Thomas
Dec. 15, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Everton A. Gardiner has graduated from basic military
training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
A 2004 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, Collins is the grandson of Ethel Trotman of St. Thomas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Army National Guard Pvt. Chandy Baptiste / St. Croix
Dec. 14, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Chandy Baptiste has graduated from the automated logistical specialist advanced individual training (AIT) course at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
She is the daughter of James and Abolina Baptiste of Williams Delight, Frederiksted.
The course is designed to train soldiers to establish and maintain stock records and other documents such as inventory, materiel control, accounting and support reports, automated and manual accounting records; perform stock record/ warehouse functions pertaining to receipt, storage, distribution and issue and maintain equipment records and parts; review and verify bills of lading, contracts, and purchase orders; repair and construct shipping crates for equipment and supplies, and perform prescribed loads and shop stock lists in manual and automated supply applications.
Navy Airman apprentice Kelvin Hosein / St. Croix
Dec. 14, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Airman Apprentice Kelvin Hosein, son of Dawn H. and stepson of Antoine Marquis of Kingshill, St. Croix, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Hosein is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
During the eight-week program, Hosein completed a variety of training, including classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the
core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Army National Guard pvt. Keitha Joyce / St. Croix
Dec. 13, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Keitha A. Joyce has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Joyce is the daughter of Ellenmay J. Merrick of Frederiksted and Keith A. Joyce of Christiansted. She is a 2003 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Seaman Apprentice Alex Brache / St. Croix
Dec. 10, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News)–Navy Seaman Apprentice Alex F. Brache, son of Paulina R. Brache and Francisco Brache Sr., both of St. Croix, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Brache is a 2003 graduate of St. Croix Central High School
During the eight-week program, Brache completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Seaman Apprentice Peter W. James Jr. / St. Croix
Dec. 9, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Peter W. James Jr., son of Cereta James of Christiansted, and Peter W. James Sr. of Ellenwood, Ga., was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
James is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
James received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle. Training included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Army Reserve Lt. Col. Marilyn Georges / St. Thomas
Dec 7, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Reserve Lt. Col. Marilyn Georges has arrived in Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, to serve as a member of the Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. The competitively selected members from the five branches of U.S. military services arrive according to a time-phased plan at the direction of the Secretary of Defense.
The committee is a joint service organization charged with coordinating all military ceremonial participation and support for the 2005, 55th Presidential Inauguration. The committee establishes a location from which to operate, retrieve and review all available historical documentation, and establish operating and contracting procedures.
The inaugural team is responsible for a range of planning, operational, communications, logistics, personnel, and public affairs support related to inaugural ceremonies and activities. Military participation traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, firing details and salute batteries, and provides a limited amount of approved logistical support. When fully manned, more than 700 people will be working within the group to provide military support during the 10-day inaugural period, Jan. 15-24.
The lieutenant colonel is a presidential inaugural committee liaison with 23 years of military service. She is the daughter of Eileen Georges of Estate Bovoni, St. Thomas. Her husband, Chouhiboy, is the son of William and Lillian Hardy of Detroit, Mich.
Georges graduated in 1977 from Charlotte Amalie High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 1987 from Long Island University, Brooklyn, N.Y. She earned a master's degree in 1989 from Brooklyn College.
Airman Julissa Copemann / St. Croix
Dec. 3, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Julissa D. Copemann has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The daughter of Torea Chancellor of Estate Little Fountain Road, Christiansted, Copemann graduated in 2004 from Central High School.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches; and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

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