Provencher, Robert, Jr., 1stSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
As a young man I wanted to be part of the worlds Elite Fighting Force, to tour the world and make the world a better and safer place for all.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Robert J Provencher Jr. was born on April 2, 1961 in Salem, Massachusetts. He graduated from Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Computer Science. First Sergeant Provencher's formal military education includes MCRD Parris Island (1979), Infantry Training School (1979), Primary Marksmanship Instructor (1982), Instructor Management School (1986), United States Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Summer and Winter Leaders Course (1986), United States Marine Corps Recruiters School (1988), Infantry Platoon Sergeants Course (1991), Staff planning and briefing of Naval Marine Corps Operations (1992), Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Career Course (1992), United States Army Engineering and Development of Weapons Ranges (1993), Small Arms Weapons Instructor Course (1994), Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Advance Course (1995), and Force Protection and Anti-Terrorism Officers Course (2000).

First Sergeant Provencher enlisted in the USMC and served as a Machine Gunner with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 3rd Marines supporting operational world wide deployments (1980 to 1983) (Awarded Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for Operations in the Persian Gulf during the US embassy hostage taking in Iran-Desert One and Korean Defense Service Medal for Operations Team Spirit). He also was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii Rifle/Pistol Range as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor (1982) and supported operations for the G3 First Marine Expeditionary Brigade as a Sergeant (1983).

Sergeant Provencher's further career assignments led him to Marine Barracks Naval Weapons Station Goose Creek, SC as a Sergeant of the Guard (1984-1986), Mountain Warfare Training Center as a Summer/Winter Mountaineering Instructor (1986-1988) and Marine Corps Recruiting in Mine Hill, New Jersey (1988-1991). Sergeant Provencher was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant on recruiting duty after being selected as USMC Recruiter of the year and received the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

While a Staff Sergeant he served as Platoon Commander for 3rd Marine Regimental TOW Platoon (1991-1994). He also served as a Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant for Combined Arms Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion 2nd Marines during JTF operations in Cuba Sea Signal (Received Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Humanitarian Service Medal) and deployments to Okinawa, Japan (1994-1995).

Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, he served as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Charlie Company 1st Battalion 2nd Marines (1996-2000). While Supporting Charlie Company Gunnery Sergeant Provencher was assigned to stand up the Commandant of the Marine Corps, USMC Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) (Received Joint Meritorious Unit Award) and supported Security Force operations during the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia (1996). Gunnery Sergeant Provencher further supported deployments and Operations (Silver Wake) to the Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Brigade Landing Teams Boat Company (1997), and 1st Battalion 2nd Marines S4 Logistician Chief deployments to Canada and Okinawa, Japan (1998-1999). He received a Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

In 2000 Gunnery Sergeant Provencher served as the Base Company Gunnery Sergeant for Support Schools Camp Johnson, North Carolina and received a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Promoted to First Sergeant he was assigned to the Inspector-Instructor Staff Fort Knox, Kentucky. First Sergeant Provencher was the senior adviser to the Inspector-Instructor and to the Company Commander for Alpha Company, 8th Tank Battalion. He was also assigned duties by the Inspector-Instructor as the Force Protection/Anti Terrorism Officer, and Burial Detail Officer. First Sergeant Provencher also coordinated the Toys for Tots program, Yearly USMC Tank Competition at Fort Knox and was responsible for the successful deployment of Alpha Company to operations in Iraq during operation Iraqi Freedom. First Sergeant Provencher received a Meritorious Service Medal and retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2005.

Robert J. Provencher Jr. is married to the former Cynthia Anne Lindenmeyer of Flanders, New Jersey they have one Daughter, Jamie (27).

His personal decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ gold star.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The Esprit De Corp I shared with Marines over the years. All of my duty was enjoyable but the times I spent in Bridgeport, California as a Summer/Winter Mountaineering Instructor was the best. I got to experience Marines from different units and different geographical locations working to hone their skills.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Meritorious Service Medal- It rolled up 25 plus years of faithful service to Marines I served with. For Outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States. Established in 1969, the Meritorious Service Medal is a junior award of the Legion of Merit and is presented for either outstanding achievement or meritorious service in a non-combat situation or setting. Prior to introduction of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal was awarded for such achievement or meritorious service that is now designated by the MSM.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
John Basilone - His inspiration taught me how to take care of Marines and to be a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I am a Program Manager for BAE Systems. I now protect those who protect us.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The Marines showed me the path to live a clean (No drugs and clean record), disciplined and focused life. The attention to detail, leading and work ethic has brought me to the way of life I live today.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Thanks for serving and doing the things you do. Stay in for as long as you can, use your GI Bill!! Stay in touch with your brothers and sisters. Semper Fi

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US MARINES

TWS keeps me connected to my Brothers and Sisters.


*J*