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.
Army National Guard Pvt. Maleek A.M. Leonard/St. Thomas
May 1, 2013 (Defense Media Activity) — Army National Guard Pvt. Maleek A.M. Leonard 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.
Leonard is the son of Jahmel Leonard of Estate Tutul, Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
He is a 2012 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
Lena J. Natta/St Thomas
May 14, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News Center) — Civilian Lena J. Natta, daughter of Merle J. Natta and John-James Natta, both of St. Thomas, V. I., recently enlisted in the United States Navy under the Delayed Entry Program at Navy Recruiting District, Jacksonville, Fla.
The program allows recruits to enter the Navy and take up to one year to complete prior commitments such as high school. Using recruiters as mentors, this program helps recruits ease into the transition from civilian to military life.
Natta will report for active duty to undergo basic training at the Navy’s Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.
Natta is a 2005 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St. Thomas, V. I.
Army Pfc. Dondre A. DuBois/ St. Croix
May 24, 2013 (Defense Media Activity) — Army Pfc. Dondre A. DuBois 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.
DuBois is the son of Deborah Boone of Frederiksted, St. Croix.
He is a 2011 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, Christiansted.
Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs/St. Thomas
May 30, 2013 (Fleet Hometown News) — Navy Seaman Apprentice David B. Gumbs, son of Hazra Gumbs of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Louis Gumbs, of St. Thomas, V. I., and other sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 recently deployed to Camp Shelby, Miss. to begin their evaluated field exercise (FEX).
FEX consists of scenario-based training and assessments to certify the battalion as the "ready battalion." Seabees will demonstrate knowledge and skills by satisfactorily completing predefined tasks, and appropriately reacting to drills facilitated by Naval Construction Group (NCG) 2.
The battalion must build up their self-contained operations at Camp Shelby with everything from command posts and a combat operations center to a galley and shower facilities. Operations will run 24 hours per day including fighting positions and watch-stations.
The length of FEX depends on how well the battalion performs. Any evolution that produces unsatisfactory results must be repeated. Once NCG-2 is confident that NMCB-11 has demonstrated the required proficiency in all areas of evaluation, the exercise will end, and NMCB-11 can return to Gulfport as the ready battalion.
NMCB-11 is a Seabee battalion specializing in contingency construction, disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
Gumbs is a 2006 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School of St. Thomas, V. I. and joined the Navy in April 2011.
Army National Guard Pvt. Tavia S. Morton/St. Thomas
May 30, 2013 (Defense Media Activity) — Army National Guard Pvt. Tavia S. Morton 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.
Morton is the daughter of Paulette Harris and the grandson of Rosetta Harris, both of Circle Street, St. Thomas.
She is a 2008 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
