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 wordsWe welcome photos..
Marine Corps Pvt. James E. Rabsatt/St. Thomas
Dec. 4, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Marine Corps Pvt. James E. Rabsatt, a 2011 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, 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, Rabsatt 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, Rabsatt 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.
Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs/St. Thomas
Dec. 4, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs, son of Hazra and Louis Gumbs of St. Thomas, V. I., along with Seabeeslang9 assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 have returned home to Gulfport, Miss. after providing disaster response support in New Jersey and New York.
NMCB-11 was ordered to support federal, state and local authorities in disaster recovery operations in the New Jersey and New York areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. The order came just days after the battalion’s Air Det reorganized into its traditional structure of 89 Seabees, who are ready on a moment’s notice to respond worldwide to contingency, disaster and humanitarian relief operations.
The Air Detachment was able to mount out a total of 90 people, 94 pieces of civil engineering support equipment including front end loaders, backhoes, pumps, generators and storage containers. Additionally, more than 75 various tool kits and other support equipment were safely loaded for the convoy north.
The Seabees’ first mission saw 45 people with heavy equipment support, involved clearing hundreds of tons of debris from Seaside Heights, N. J. In addition to debris, the team removed more than 80 cars, boats and other large objects that had been swept away and displaced during the storm surge. They also successfully tackled a more than 210,000-gallon dewatering project to aid local authorities in gaining access to water and gas lines for repair, and to reach roadways inaccessible from sink holes and storm damage.
In addition to the efforts in the Seaside Heights area, another detachment worked diligently in the Sea Bright area and they also worked feverishly to unearth and completely clean up a local World War II Veterans Memorial in time for Veterans Day on Staten Island.
Elsewhere on Staten Island at Floyd Bennett Airfield in New York, a team of 25 Seabees supported clean up and debris removal operations in and around the Breezy Point area along with multiple other military and civilian support teams.
While the Seabees accomplished quite a bit in support of relief efforts, moving them 1,400 miles from their home base in Gulfport was a logistical challenge of its own.
NMCB-11had recently returned home to Gulfport, Miss., following a successful eight-month deployment to Afghanistan. The battalion continues training and exercises in preparation for its next deployment less than a year from now.
Navy Seaman Recruit Michael P. Johnston/St. Croix
December 10, 2012(Fleet Hometown News Center) — Navy Seaman Recruit Michael P. Johnston, son of Gail L. Riggs of Christiansted, V. I. and Steve P. Johnston, of Foster City, Calif., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Johnston 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.
Johnston is a 2010 graduate of Crystal Lake Central High School of Crystal Lake, Ill.
Air National Guard Airman Darren D. Williams/St. Croix
Dec. 13, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Air National Guard Airman Darren D. Williams 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.
Williams is the son of Sharon and Darren Williams of Kingshill.
He is a 2008 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, Kingshill.
Navy Seaman Recruit Akeyeem J. Perpie/St. Croix
Dec. 19, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Navy Seaman Recruit Akeyeem J. Perpie, son of Susan Perpie of Frederiksted, V. I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Perpie 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.
Perpie is a 2012 graduate of Central High School of Christiansted, V.I.
Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Moses A. President/St. Croix
Dec. 28, 2012 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Moses A. President 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.
President is the brother of Sylvester President of Upper Love, Kingshill.
He is a 1998 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex High School, Kingshill.
