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HomeNewsArchivesMilitary News of Virgin Islanders – August 2008

Military News of Virgin Islanders – August 2008

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 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.
Air Force Airman Edward W. Gussman/St. Croix
Aug. 1, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Edward W. Gussman has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
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.
He is the son of Norman and Ana Gussman of Estate Carlton, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands.
Gussman is a 2000 graduate of Educational Complex High School, St. Croix, V.I.
Army Pvt. Rasheena L. Skeete/Saint Thomas
Aug. 1, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Rasheena L. Skeete 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. She also 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.
Skeete is the daughter of Angela Skeete of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, and sister of Stacey-Ann Wilson of Tallahassee, Fla.
Navy Airman Nicholas W. Endorf/St. Thomas
Aug. 6, 2008 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Airman Nicholas W. Endorf, son of Colleen M.
Kirk of Omaha, Neb. and William R. Endorf of Christiansted, V. I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Endorf 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. It 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.
Endorf is a 2007 graduate of Roncalli Catholic High School of Omaha, Neb.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert C. Thomas/St. Croix
Aug. 8, 2008 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert C. Thomas was recently selected as Senior Petty Officer of the Quarter for the Naval Support Activity South Potomac, Dahlgren, Va.
Gilbert, 35, son of Hildred Cochrane of Williams Delight, St. Croix, is a former resident of Williams Delight and attended Claude O. Marko School there before moving to New York and finishing high school.
In the Navy he is a gas turbine systems technician and has been at NSASP for approximately one year.
His prior service includes duty aboard USS Stethem (DDG-63), Naval Recruiting District New York, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Ramage (DDG-61) and various Navy schools.
This is his second selection of Senior Petty Officer of the Quarter in his Navy career.
At NSASP Dahlgren, Thomas serves as the command career counselor and advises sailors on vocational choices and educational opportunities to benefit careers.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kareem J. Turnbull/St. Thomas
Aug. 12, 2008 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class
Kareem J. Turnbull, along with members of Patrol Squadron 9 (VP-9) "Golden Eagles" stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, recently deployed to Ali Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
VP-9 replaced Patrol Squadron 47 (VP-47) following its seven-month deployment and will assume its sister squadron's mission in Iraq. The squadron deployed 155 personnel from VP-9 including 12 aircrews as well as support and intelligence personnel.
Traditionally used for anti-submarine warfare, the PC-3 Orion aircraft flown by VP-9 with upgraded sensor capabilities are a proven overland asset in the Global War on Terror. Working with the Army, Air Force, Marines, and in combination with multi-national forces, VP-9 provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) support for ground troops.
Turnbull is the son of Margaret R. and Winston Turnbull of St. Thomas, V. I. He joined the Navy in May 2005.
For more information on VP-9, go to http://www.vp9.navy.mil
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Beverly L. Castor/St. Croix
Aug. 14, 2008 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Beverly L. Castor, V. I., recently retired from active duty after 20 years of service.
Castor most recently served at Naval Medical Education and Training Command, Bethesda, Md.
The officer is the daughter of Cecille Serville of St. Croix, V. I. and Archie G. Castor of St. Croix. She is a 1988 graduate of St. Croix Central High School of Kingshill, V. I. and joined the Navy in November 1988. She graduated from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., with a B.S. degree in 2001; she earned an M.B.A. from Touro University International, Cypress, Calif., in 2006
Air Force Airman Jonathan W. Estrill/St. Croix
Aug. 14, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Jonathan W. Estrill has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
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 in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Estrill is the son of Roy Estrill of Two Brothers, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex School, Kingshill, V.I.
Army National Guard Pfc. Kevin A. Charles/St. Thomas
Aug. 18, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pfc. Kevin A. Charles 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, was trained in 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.
He is the son of Laurizene Richards of Annasville and O'Brien Charles of Anna's Retreat, both of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Charles graduated in 2006 from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thoma
s, and received an associate degree in 2007 from Nashville Auto Diesel College, Tenn.
Army National Guard Pfc. Shawn B. Tyson/St. Thomas
Aug. 19, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pfc. Shawn B. Tyson 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 trained in 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.
He is the son of Julie France and grandson of Hansel Tyson of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Army National Guard Pvt. Sherina C. Springer/St. Croix
Aug. 20, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Sherina C. Springer 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 trained in physical fitness. She 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.
Springer is the daughter of Sherise Springer of Harrigan Court, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands, and granddaughter of Rosellen Eastman of Azalea Court, Troy, Ala.
In 2007, the private graduated from the Montgomery Job Corp Center, Ala.

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