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.
Navy Seaman Apprentice David Gumbs/St. Thomas
March 1, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center)–Navy Seaman Apprentice David Gumbs, son of Hazra and Louis Gumbs of St. Thomas, V. I., Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 transferred authority of Camp Krutke to NMCB-11 during a ceremony on Camp Krutke, a part of Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The process of turning the camp over to NMCB-11 began when NMCB-11’s advanced party personnel arrived on Camp Leatherneck. The battalions worked together to turn over materials, equipment and tools to NMCB-11 whose delayed party personnel are due to arrive in the near future.
While deployed to Afghanistan, NMCB-11 will conduct general, mobility, and survivability engineering operations, defensive operations, Afghan National Army (ANA) partnering and detachment of units in Combined/Joint Operations Area (CJOA)-Afghanistan in order to enable the neutralization of the insurgency and support improved governance and stability operations.
Homeported in Gulfport, Miss., NMCB-11 has completed deployments to the Pacific and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and has consistently met the overwhelming demand for Naval Construction Forces (NCF) throughout the world.
The process of turning the camp over to NMCB-11 began when NMCB-11’s advanced party personnel arrived on Camp Leatherneck. The battalions worked together to turn over materials, equipment and tools to NMCB-11 whose delayed party personnel are due to arrive in the near future.
While deployed to Afghanistan, NMCB-11 will conduct general, mobility, and survivability engineering operations, defensive operations, Afghan National Army (ANA) partnering and detachment of units in Combined/Joint Operations Area (CJOA)-Afghanistan in order to enable the neutralization of the insurgency and support improved governance and stability operations.
Homeported in Gulfport, Miss., NMCB-11 has completed deployments to the Pacific and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and has consistently met the overwhelming demand for Naval Construction Forces (NCF) throughout the world.
Air Force Airman Dane W. Stewart/St. Croix
March 28, 20012 (Defense Media Activity) – Air Force Airman Dane W. Stewart 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.
Stewart is the son of Paul Stewart of Christiansted.
He is a 2008 graduate of The Good Hope School, Frederiksted.
Marine Corps Pvt. Ramaique S. Tota/St. Thomas
March 22, 2012 (Fleet Hometown News Center)–Marine Corps Pvt. Ramaique S. Tota, a 2011 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Charlotte Amalie, V. I., recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Tota and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, he spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments that included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Tota and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values–honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Tota and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time in their careers.
Tota and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, he spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments that included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Tota and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values–honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Tota and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time in their careers.
