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 [email protected]. 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 Michael J. Edwards/St. Croix
April 21, 2011 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman Michael J. Edwards 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 Kenneth and Linnella Edwards of St. Croix. He is also the nephew of Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis. Airman Edwards is currently stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Witchita Falls, Texas, training as an aerospace apprentice.
Edwards graduated in 2010 from St. Croix Central High School, U.S. Virgin Islands.
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 Kenneth and Linnella Edwards of St. Croix. He is also the nephew of Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis. Airman Edwards is currently stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Witchita Falls, Texas, training as an aerospace apprentice.
Edwards graduated in 2010 from St. Croix Central High School, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Navy Seaman Recruit Breanya E. Dowdye/St. Thomas
April 1, 2011 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Breanya E. Dowdye, granddaughter of Golda B. Buckley of St. Thomas, V. I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Dowdye 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.
Dowdye is a 2010 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School of Brooklyn, N. Y.
During the eight-week program, Dowdye 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.
Dowdye is a 2010 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Army National Guard Pfc. Ortiz D. Browne Jr./St. Croix
April 1, 2011 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pfc. Ortiz D. Browne Jr. has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
He is the son of Dian Browne of Mon Bijou, Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
Browne graduated in 2010 from St. Croix Central High School, Christiansted.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
He is the son of Dian Browne of Mon Bijou, Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
Browne graduated in 2010 from St. Croix Central High School, Christiansted.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Shawn A. Gittens/St. Croix
April 16, 2011 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Shawn A. Gittens, son of Erica C. Benjamin of Christiansted, V. I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Gittens completed a variety of training that 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.
Gittens is a 2009 graduate of St. Croix Central High School of Kingshill, V. I.
During the eight-week program, Gittens completed a variety of training that 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.
Gittens is a 2009 graduate of St. Croix Central High School of Kingshill, V. I.
Army National Guard Spec. Keiron D. Hendrickson/St. Thomas
April 20, 2011 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Spec. Keiron D. Hendrickson is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn, or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.
The soldiers return to Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.
Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq’s civil capacity.
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.
He served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
The specialist, a military police member with three years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 442nd Military Police Company, based out of Jamaica, N.Y.
Hendrickson is the son of Kurtley C. Hendrickson of Walton Ave., Bronx, N.Y., and Jessica M. Hendrickson of Estate Contant, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The soldiers return to Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units.
Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq’s civil capacity.
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.
He served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
The specialist, a military police member with three years of military service, is regularly assigned to the 442nd Military Police Company, based out of Jamaica, N.Y.
Hendrickson is the son of Kurtley C. Hendrickson of Walton Ave., Bronx, N.Y., and Jessica M. Hendrickson of Estate Contant, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.