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 Caleb I. Payne/St. Croix
April 25, 2009 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Caleb I. Payne 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. 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.
He is the son of Denise P. Hilaire of Rochester, New York, and Leo M. Jackson of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Payne is a 2003 graduate of East High School of Rochester, N. Y.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Serge A. Brooks/St. Thomas
May 5, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Serge A. Brooks 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 Serge Brooks and Wanda McClendon Brooks of Tutu Blvd. 20, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The airman is a 2008 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Virgil M. Campbell/St. Thomas
May 5, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Virgil M. Campbell 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 Ivy and Eudoro Campbell of Annas Retreat, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Campbell is a 2008 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Pvt. Jah'Vena Q. Nisbett/St. Thomas
May 7, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Army National Guard Pvt. Jah'Vena Q. Nisbett 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 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.
Nisbett is the daughter of Karen Nisbett of St. Thomas, U.S. Virginia Islands, and her great aunt, Carmen Wilkins, resides on E. 52nd St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
The private is a 2008 graduate of Lower East Side Preparatory High School, Manhattan, N.Y.
Air Force Airman Dante L. Sweeney-Haynes/St. Croix
May 10, 2009 (Joint Hometown News Service) – Air Force Airman Dante L. Sweeney-Haynes 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 Esther Sweeney of St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Sweeney-Haynes is a 2003 graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex.
