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.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Makis A. Sebastien/St. Thomas
June 1, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Makis A. Sebastien 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.
He is the son of Gladys Sebastien of Allen St., New Britain, Conn., and Maurice Sebastien of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The airman is a 2002 graduate of New Britain High School in Connecticut.
Navy Seaman Recruit Eugene T. Sello/St. Thomas
June 1, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Eugene T. Sello recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, the seaman 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.
He is the son of Eugenia A. Cruse of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Sello is a 2007 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School of St. Thomas, V. I.
Air Force Senior Airman Kendra S. Ford/St. Croix
June 2, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Senior Airman Kendra S. Ford is deploying overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces have been mobilized, activated and deployed along with active duty members to support the war against global terrorism. Mission objectives encompass combating the international terrorist network or regime forces outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific and in numerous other countries.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq. Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Ford, a security forces controller with more than three years of military service, is assigned to the 437th Security Forces Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
She is the daughter of Cyrillia Joseph of Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The airman graduated in 2005 from St. Croix Central High School, Christiansted.
Army Pvt. Andra M. Fombrun/St. Thomas
June 5, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army Pvt. Andra M. Fombrun 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.
Fombrun is the daughter of Attalia Wheatley Lopera and Jairo Lopera of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The private is a 2002 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Pvt. Courtney C. Hicks/St. Croix
June 5, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Courtney C. Hicks 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.
Hicks is the daughter of Barbara A. Williams of Strawberry Hill, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The private is a 2008 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
