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. Jahkeem E. Ponce/St. Croix
January 11, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News Center ) — Marine Corps Pvt. Jahkeem E. Ponce, son of Daniel Ponce, of Christiansted, 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, Ponce 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, Ponce 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.
Ponce is a 2012 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex of Frederiksted, V. I.
Marine Corps Pvt. K’Yan I. Gibbs/St. Thomas
January 11, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News) — Marine Corps Pvt. K’Yan I. Gibbs, son of Memorell Parson of Orlando, Fla. and Fransisco Gibbs 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, Gibbs 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, Gibbs 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.
Gibbs is a 2012 graduate of East River High School of Orlando, Fla.
Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs/St. Thomas
January 10, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News Center ) — Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs, son of Hazra and Louis Gumbs of St. Thomas, V. I., along with Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, donated 10 large boxes of food items to the Seabee Pantry at Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Miss.
Gumbs’ battalion had accumulated about 500 pounds of donations including items such as canned foods, boxes of cereal, condiments, snack foods and many other food items.
Located in NCBC’s Base Chapel, the Seabee Pantry provides help to military members and their dependents to include active duty, reservists, and retirees.
The Seabee Pantry is dependent on donations like those from NMCB-11 to continue to provide food to service members, retirees and dependents. Individuals, organizations, and other groups are encouraged to donate as well.
The Seabee Pantry is open for patrons as well as donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (228) 871-2454 for details.
NMCB-11 is currently in the midst of a homeport cycle following an eight-month deployment to Afghanistan and is preparing for its next deployment, set to begin near the end of the summer next year.
Gumbs is a 2006 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St. Thomas, V. I. and joined the Navy in April 2011.
For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb11
Marine Corps Pvt. Navon A. Durand/St. Croix
January 16, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Marine Corps Pvt. Navon A. Durand, son of Agnes and Julian Durand of Frederiksted, Virgin Islands, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C.
For 13 weeks, Durand 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, Durand 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.
Durand is a 2012 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex of Kingshill, V. I.
Air Force Airman Henson M. Greene II/St. Croix
Jan. 22, 2013 (Joint Hometown News Service) — Air Force Airman Henson M. Greene II 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.
Greene is the son of Angela Burt and Henson Greene of Enfield Green, both of Frederiksted.
He is a 2012 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, Kingshill.
Army Pvt. Denrick E. Ragguette/St. Croix
Jan. 25, 2013 (Defense Media Activity) — Army Pvt. Denrick E. Ragguette 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 as well as 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.
Ragguette is the son of Denise Ragguette of Christiansted, St. Croix.
He is a 2011 graduate of Central High School, Christiansted, St. Croix.
Marine Corps Pfc. Khasim K. Williams/St. Thomas
Jan. 29, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Marine Corps Pfc. Khasim K. Williams, son of Juliet Assam of Cooper City, Fla. and Denley Williams, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C.
For 13 weeks, Williams 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, and customs and courtesies.
One week prior to graduation, Williams 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.
Williams is a 2012 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I.
Army Sgt. Jermaine O. Hanley/St. Croix
Jan. 30, 2013 (Defense Media Activity) — Army Sgt. Jermaine O. Hanley has returned to the U.S. after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific and Europe.
Hanley has served in the Army for more than seven years. He is the son of Marissa Joseph and Oliver Hanley, both of St. Croix.
The sergeant is a 2004 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex.
