Daniel Olortegui has Proudly Served Over 17 Years

I have been in the United States Navy for over 17 years now. I proudly served my country. I have traveled the world and enjoyed every minute of it.

I also had the opportunity to be a part of OIF/OEF 2008-2009 (Operations Iraqi Freedom/Operations Enduring Freedom). I was part of a Convoy Security Element, which patrolled the combat zone in Iraq.

Our main mission was to clear IED’s, interrogate suspects, clear buildings and escort VIP’s. My primary duty was Navigator in the lead armored vehicle. I served as Gunner the last three months of our tour.

I was put to the ultimate test for 18 months. I was away from my pregnant wife and son, and  faced death on a daily basis, all under a scorching 140 degree plus sun with an occasional sand storm here and there. I am blessed to have returned to a new baby girl and the waiting arms of my wife and son.

I am touched when I hear, “Thank you for your service”. I reply, “It’s because of YOU, that I do it”. Meaning, the true American that really deep down appreciates what their military is doing!

Here is to my fellow US Navy, US Army, US Air Force, and US Marine, brothers and sisters. Especially those who didn’t make it back home. Here is to the RED, WHITE & BLUE!

God Bless America

1st Class Petty Officer
QM1 (ss/scw/sw) Daniel Olortegui
United States Navy
Stanbridge College Nursing Student, FTN

Words from Jane Germaine About Her Father

The passing of my father, Alan Michael, inspired me to focus myself and my career on the care, safety and needs of our elder population.  My father was a patriotic American who served his country honorably in the Navy during the mid to late 1950’s.  Last winter he escaped from his Nursing Care facility in the Midwest and died from exposure to the cold elements.  He died not as a result of disease but from neglectful care.

My father was a physically fit and healthy man but suffered from the ravaging neurological effects of Alzheimer’s disease.  Towards the end he did not know who I was but he could still sing the Star Spangled Banner, cite the Pledge of Allegiance and knew the state capitals of all 50 states.

When I toured Stanbridge College for the first time I noticed all of the American flags throughout the building.  I thought of my Dad, always wearing his favorite ball cap with a flag on it, and knew somehow I had found the right place.  I am grateful to Stanbridge College for playing an integral part in my journey to honor my father.  He would be so very proud.

Here is a picture of my father in uniform in 1954 and of me holding his uniform today. Thank you for giving us students a chance to recognize and honor our veterans.

Respectfully,
Jane Germaine, FTO

Jacqueline Yencer has Served 23 Years as a Hospital Corpsman

I am attending Stanbridge College under the 9/11 GI Bill after serving 3 tours (Iraq, Kuwait, and Port Hueneme, CA) during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle.There is a need for Navy nurses especially for the war in Afghanistan and I am answering the call. I have been stationed at various bases in the U.S. and have served on the USS Dubuque LPD-9.
I have been in the Navy for 23 years as a hospital corpsman and have valued the medical education received from corpsman, medics, nurses, and doctors who have served from past wars and conflicts. Dedication and devotion to saving lives is paramount in every military medical personnel’s agenda.

I am currently in reserve status and serving as the Senior Medical Department Representive for the Navy Cargo Handling Battalion Group14 in Port Hueneme, CA where I supervise 8 corpsman looking over the physical and emotional well-being of 260 sailors stationed in 5 different states. I am thankful for being born, raised, and living in America and serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Last but not least, I am thankful for the beautiful friendships created from Stanbridge College. You are all dear to my heart and will take the memories made when I have to return to the Middle East.

Chief Hospital Corpsman
Jacqueline Yencer
United States Navy Reserve
(1987 to current)

Richard Huband Served in the Navy & Marine Corps

I joined the Military a year before graduating high school in 1986. Two weeks after accepting my diploma I left for boot camp and was stationed in Orlando for initial Navy training.

After training I went to Millington Tennessee for aviation electronics and ordnance. My first duty station was in Kingsville Texas, a base for pilot training, where I was in charge of all aircraft weapon systems.

I then went to a ship, The USS America cv66. I traveled around the world, visiting various places, like Turkey, France, Italy, Singapore and Australia. The ship traveled around the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans. I served a total of 4 years in the Navy and then I joined the Marine Corps.

I served 19 years with the Marine Corps as an Expeditionary Airfield Technician, building Matting Airports and installing and maintaining Arresting Gear. I have done tours in Japan, Somalia and Iraq. I’ve also been stationed in Arizona and California. I am retiring as an E-7 Gunnery Sergeant.

My goal is to graduate from Stanbridge College as an LVN and continue working at the Veterans Hospital in Long Beach. I will continue to serve my country by helping the veterans who were injured during their tour of duty.

Richard Huband
Stanbridge College Nursing Student, FTN

Husband & Wife Serve in the Marines

Noelle Andres, Stanbridge nursing student  FTO, was in the United States Marine Corps & her rank is an E-4, also known as a CPL. She was stationed in Camp Pendleton where she worked in logistics at least 12 hours a day or even more if there was heavy equipment flow (ex. weapons, gear, ammo).

A huge percentage of the equipment was sent to Iraq and to the ships out at sea. She also assisted during wildfire disasters. Noelle received a Letter of Appreciation because of her leadership and dedication during a wildfire behind her barracks. By herself, she safeguarded the entire barracks, by restricting people to their rooms, overseeing the wildfire’s progress, reporting to her commanding officer & the fire stations, ultimately keeping everyone safe.

Noelle’s husband is also in the Marine Corps & his rank is an E-6, which is a Staff Sergeant.  He is currently a recruiter and was stationed on Camp Pendleton. Noelle’s husband has served 3 tours in Iraq and 1 tour in Afghanistan working with helicopters and their weapons.

Stanbridge Staff Member Served 22 Years

David is a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, who served 22 years. He was as a Heavy Equipment Operator with WES-17 and served as a Marine Security Guard guarding the United States Embassies; in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Vienna, Luxembourg, Beijing, and Lima. He deployed with the USS EssexLHD-2, the USS Peleliu LHA-5, and the USS Belleauwood LHA-3.

David also served as an instructor at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy at El Toro. He served as an Intermediate Level Helicopter Mechanic and as an Individual Material Readiness List (IMRL) Custodian for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS)-16 MALS-36 and MALS-11. He served as a CMS Custodian with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Command Element. His final deployment was with the 31st MEU.

The Marine Corps taught David about leadership traits and principles. The trait he carries with him the most is integrity; “You put honesty, sense of duty, and sound moral principles above all else.”  The other principles he lives by are Know Yourself and Seek Self-Improvement.

David advises that, “people should stop and think about all the veterans who are currently serving and those who have served. Remember the sacrifices each one has endured, not because they had to, but because they chose to. When you see a veteran throughout your day do not be shy walk right up and say Hi.”

– David Madden

Sergio Derosas Deployed on Three Tours

My name is Sergio Derosas and I am 25 years old. I served with 1st Battalion / 3 Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan, stationed at Camp Blessing, in January of  2006. I then moved to Camp Asadabad and finally resided in Camp Korengal. At Camp Korengal we set up for the !0 Mountain Div “ARMY” during “Operation Mountain Lion”.  After this tour I re-deployed to Iraq in February of  2007 and my third deployment was to Iraq in 2008.

In Iraq, I spent most of my time on the streets. I was able to enjoy the fine cities of  Haqlaniyah and Bonidahar in the Haditha providence. I went on over 150 foot patrols and received constant Sniper and IDF fire. I then lived between Karma and Fallujah going back and forth keeping the peace.  All my time in the Marines was spent in combat zones. I am very proud of making it through. Looking back, it was worth the long, cold and snowy nights in the hills of Afghanistan and the 140 degree summers in Iraq.

SEMPER FI
Sergio Derosas

Dean of Instruction Served 20 Years

I joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at my college in order to obtain a scholarship to complete my bachelor’s degree.  The day before graduation, I was commissioned in the U. S. Navy.  I served in USS Monticello (LSD-35) as Combat Information Center Officer and Navigator, then in USS Bristol County (LST-1198) as Operations Officer.

While not pretty or graceful ships (when we did maneuvering drills, the destroyermen called it “the dance of the dinosaurs”), we could land a USMC Battalion Landing Team anywhere there was a beach.

I made three deployments to the Western Pacific while on active duty, visiting ports in Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines Islands, Korea and Guadalcanal, crossing the equator at the international date line, becoming a Golden Shellback.

After leaving active duty, I affiliated with the Naval Reserve, serving with Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 107 (a radar-sonar surveillance unit) and on Inshore Undersea Warfare Group One staff.  I deployed to Kuwait in 1994 to surveil Iraqi seaborne traffic (oil tankers breaking the UN embargo) in the Shatt-al-arab and the Northern Arabian Gulf.

I retired from the U. S. Naval Reserve in 1999.

Tim Powers
Dean of Instruction
Stanbridge College