Editor’s note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see previous months’ files in this section. Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to visource@gmail.com. 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.
Marine Corps Pvt. Brendon D. Samuel/St. Thomas
Oct. 3, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Marine Corps Pvt. Brendon D. Samuel, son of Juliana J. Charles of St. Thomas, V. I., earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C.
For 13 weeks, Samuel stayed committed during some of the world’s most demanding entry-level military training in order to be transformed from civilian to Marine instilled with pride, discipline and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Training subjects included close-order drill, marksmanship with an M-16A4 rifle, physical fitness, martial arts, swimming, military history, customs and courtesies..
One week prior to graduation, Samuel endured The Crucible, a 54-hour final test of recruits’ minds and bodies. Upon completion, recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem and called Marines for the first time.
Samuel is a 2011 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I.
Air Force Airman Clinton Todman/St. Thomas
Oct. 3, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman Clinton Todman graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Todman is the son of Maria and Clinton Todman of St. Thomas.
He is a 2007 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Army Pvt. Carlos E. George/ St. Thomas
Oct. 4, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Pvt. Carlos E. George has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
George is the son of Juliet George of Hidden Valley, St. Thomas.
He is a 2001 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Navy Seaman Recruit Kathleen M. Andrews/St. Croix
Oct. 10, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center )–Navy Seaman Recruit Kathleen M. Andrews, daughter of Jennifer H. and Larry F. Andrews of Frederiksted, V. I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Andrews completed a variety of training which 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.
Andrews is a 2012 graduate of South Windsor High School of South Windsor, Conn.
Army Pfc. Kenesha C. Graham/St. Thomas
Oct. 11, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Army Pfc. Kenesha C. Graham has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
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.
Graham is the daughter of Annette Hodge of St. Thomas.
She is a 2008 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
Technical Sergeant Vernon J. Forbes/St. Thomas
Oct. 11, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Vernon J. Forbes has been promoted to the rank of technical sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Forbes is a vehicle operator dispatcher assigned to the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The technical sergeant has served in the military for 18 years.
He is the son of Ena C. Spencer of Lindberg Bay, and Cecil O. Forbes Sr. of Contant, both of St. Thomas.
Army Reserve Pfc. Michael J. Hilaire/St. Thomas
Oct. 24, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Army Reserve Pfc. Michael J. Hilaire has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values and physical fitness. He 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.
Hilaire is the son of Anna and Justin Francis of St. Thomas.
He is a 2008 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Marine Corps Pfc. Joel A. Deserve/St. Thomas
Oct. 25, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Marine Corps Pfc. Joel A. Deserve, son of Jennifer Xavier- Callwood of St. Thomas, V. I., recently graduated from the Basic Water Support Technician Course while assigned as a student at Marine Corps Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, N. C.
Deserve and fellow students received instruction in subjects such as maintenance management, plumbing, military water supply and field sanitation. Upon completion of the course, graduates are qualified to perform tasks expected of a basic water support technician.
Deserve is a 2011 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I. and joined the Marine Corps in January 2012.
