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Current Service Status
USMC Retired
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Current/Last Rank
Master Sergeant
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Current/Last Primary MOS
6391-Avionics Maintenance Chief
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Current/Last MOSGroup
Avionics
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Previously Held MOS
2311-Ammunition Technician
6353-Aircraft Weapons Systems Specialist, A-6/TC-4C
6362-Aircraft Weapons Systems Specialist, F-4
6657-Aircraft Weapon Systems Specialist, F-4J
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Primary Unit
1986-1989, 6391, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), US Navy
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Service Years
1967 - 1989
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1967-1968, 2311, H&S Bn, MCB Camp Lejeune, NC
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1969-1970, 2311, Force Logistics Command
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1970-1975, 6353, VMAT(AW)-202
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1975-1979, 6353, VMA(AW)-533
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1980-1983, 6362, VMFA(AW)-312
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1983-1986, 6657, VMFA-212
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1986-1989, 6391, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), US Navy
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Reflections on MSgt WIGGINS's
US Marine Corps Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
I was very young, and wanted to leave home to serve my country.
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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?
To retrain from being a grunt to find a profession that I could use on the outside. I chose to be an avionics tech.
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Yes, however I was the senior Marine during a rocket and mortar attack real early in the morning, all the other OIC's and NCOIC'S had not arrived at the ammo dump to replace us.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
MCAS Kanohe Hawaii. I received many awards and was made the acting SGT/MAJ at the end of my tour with VMFA-212.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My retirement from the Marine Corps at NTSC Orlando Fl. 1989.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I don't feel any of my awards are worthy of being for valor, others made the ultimate sacrifice, they deserve the awards for valor.
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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?
Being the first award that I received after boot camp, the National Defense Service award, I don't feel any other award is more satisfying to wear with pride.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
MSgt. Floyd Dooley, I was a very young SNCO with little experience in the Air Wing, this Marine lead by example, taught me leadership, respect for my men, and satisfaction for doing a job well done.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I cannot remember any funny incidents, I always prided myself on being a picture perfect Marine, and you never see a poster board Marine laughing or smiling.
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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 remained in the aviation and security fields and was retired from federal service as a TSA Lead and Supervisor.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I no longer belong to any military associations except to a local V.A. service center.
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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?
It gave me self respect, pride, self confidence, devotion and the ability to suceed in any position that I applied for.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Keep serving, go or stay in a profession that you can use for once you decide to retire. Try to keep in contact with your fellow Marines, they will always be there for you should you ever need a close friend to talk to.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I suffer from some disabilities and just wanted to look up fellow friends and Marines to stay in contact with which helps with my depression.
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