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 Joel Gilbert/St. Croix
Aug. 1, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Joel Gilbert 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 Adele Gilbert of Frederiksted, Virgin Islands, and brother of Magnolia Gilbert of Lithonia, Ga.
Gilbert is a 2003 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, Frederiksted.
Air Force Airman Vernal Burnette/St. Thomas
Aug. 3, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Vernal Burnette 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. He 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.
Burnette is the nephew of Cyprain Cuffy of Estate Thomas, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Leslie A. Dalmyda/St. Croix
Aug. 7, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Leslie A. Dalmyda has deployed overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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.
Dalmyda, a company first sergeant with 19 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion.
He is the son of Beverly A. King of Grove Place, Kingshill, Virgin Islands.
The sergeant graduated in 1987 from St. Croix Central High School, Kingshill, and received an associate degree in 2001 from San Antonio Community College, Texas.
Army Pvt. Julio F. Petersen III/St. Croix
Aug. 8, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Julio F. Petersen III 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. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare, bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.
He is the son of Lynette Johannes of LaGrange, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands.
Petersen is a 2006 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex High School, Christiansted, V.I.
Air Force Airman Raynelle L. Walters/St. Thomas
Aug. 10, 2007 – (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Raynelle L. Walters 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. She performed drill and ceremony marches, 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.
She is the daughter of Monica and Raymond Walters of Anna's Retreat, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Walters is a 2003 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas.
Army National Guard Pvt. Yashira M. Ramos/St. Croix
Aug. 11, 2007 – (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Yashira M. Ramos has graduated from the Food Service Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
The course is designed to train servicemembers to perform preliminary food preparation procedures according to Army production schedules and recipes; cook, bake and serve food in large and small quantities; field and garrison kitchen operations; and general operation of Army dining facilities, including cleaning and housekeeping, sanitation measures, and storage of subsistence items.
The private is a 2005 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex School, Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
Army National Guard Pfc. Celina R. James St. Croix
Aug. 11, 2007 – (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pfc. Celina R. James has graduated from the Food Service Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va.
The course is designed to train servicemembers to perform preliminary food preparation procedures according to Army production schedules and recipes; cook, bake and serve food in large and small quantities; field and garrison kitchen operations; and general operation of Army dining facilities, including cleaning and housekeeping, sanitation measures, and storage of subsistence items.
James is the daughter of Anesta James of Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
The private is a 2005 graduate of St. Croix Country Day School, V.I.
Navy Seaman Recruit Victor V. Simmiolkjier/St. Croix
Aug. 21, 2007 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Victor V. Simmiolkjier recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, he 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.
The navy seaman is the son of Victor V. Simmiolkjier of Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
Simmiolkjier is a 2002 graduate of St. Croix Central High School of Christiansted.
Air National
Guard Airman 1st Class Carl K. Christopher/St. Croix
Aug. 21, 2007 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Carl K. Christopher 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. He 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.
Christopher is the son of Carol Huggins of Peters Rest, Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
