Title
Honoring Master Gunnery Sergeant James J. Babst Jr.'s retirement from the United States Marine Corps and celebrating his 30 years of faithful and honorable service.
Body
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from Archbishop Ryan High School, Master Gunnery Sergeant Babst enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 3, 1984. MGySgt Babst completed a Basic Electronics Course before reporting to 7th Communication Bn, in Okinawa, Japan in 1986 where he was recognized as the 7th Communication Bn "Marine of the Quarter" for FY87 (3rd Quarter) and meritoriously promoted to Corporal prior to redeploying back the states; and
WHEREAS, In November 1987, MGySgt Babst reported for duty at Camp LeJeune, NC where he was promoted to Sergeant in November 1988. While attending college full time, MGySgt Babst joined the reserves with Head Quarters Battery, 3rd Bn, 14th Marines (Philadelphia, PA) in September 1989. He graduated from Robert Morris University in 1993; and
WHEREAS, In March 1993, MGySgt Babst became the Squadron Training Chief, Marine Wing Support Squadron 474, Naval Air Station in Willow Grove, PA. MGySgt Babst was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 1995; and
WHEREAS, In January 2001 MGySgt Babst transferred to Marine Heavy Helicopter 772. The reserves unit was activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and subsequently attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and deployed overseas. During that time, the MEU participated in Operation Dynamic Response (Kosovo), Operation Southern Watch (Persian Gulf), Horn of Africa and Operation Iraq Freedom; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, MGySgt Babst assumed the role of Ground Movement Chief and Senior Enlisted Advisor and deployed to Korea where he was promoted to Master Sergeant and Operation Chief; and
WHEREAS, In January 2011, MGySgt Babst was activated again. He deployed to Afghanistan and was responsible for Marines throughout Regional Command South and Southwest. He also assisted the 738th Air Expediti...
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