I served in the USMC (United States Marine Corps) from August 1989 to August 1993.
My primary MOS was 6046 Aviation Maintenance Administration and Secondary MOS was 6199, Aerial Observer.
I was awarded a Naval Achievement Medal for developing a computerized maintenance system for tracking of life limited components on helicopters. This computer program reduced the amount of faulty addition and subtraction and improved the safety of aircraft maintenance. In the 1990’s this was a big thing as our Squadron had only a few computers. For junior officers and enlisted personnel whose professional and/or leadership achievements on or after 1 May 1961, are clearly of a superlative nature. Originally designed for recognition of non-combat professional and/or leadership achievements, the Navy Achievement Medal may now also be presented for combat valor, to members of the Navy or Marine Corps. It holds the same level of precedence as the Achievement Medals of the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Spent 30 months of my 48 months enlistment deployed (normally you only deploy for 12 to 18 months in a 4-year enlistment).
During my time of service, I deployed to:
Okinawa Japan from April 1990 to September 1990
Subic Bay Philippines from September 1990 to April 1991
Set sail on the USS Peleliu from May 1991 to November 1991 (Crossed the Equator and became a Shellback after participating in the Wog Day Ceremony)
Set sail on the USS Tarawa from August 1992 to March 1993
Places traveled for military service were:
US – Anchorage, AK
US – Phoenix, AZ
US – Yuma, AZ
US – 29 Palms, CA
US – San Diego, CA
US – San Francisco, CA
US – El Paso, TX
US – Meridian, MS
US – Pearl Harbor, HI
US – Waikiki Beach, HI
Mazatlán Mexico
Juarez Mexico
Guam
Wake Island
Midway Island
Okinawa Japan
Cebu Philippines
Manilla Philippines
Subic Bay Philippines
Singapore, Malaysia
Bangkok Thailand
Phuket Thailand
Kowloon Hong Kong
Mogadishu Somalia
Mombasa Kenya
Muscat Oman
Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
Dubai United Arab Emirates
Manama Bahrain
Saudi Arabia (Aerial operations over land)
Kuwait (Aerial operations over land)