1stSgt Joseph Kapala

1. The Journey From the Marine Corps Joseph A. Kapala

2. Life Before the Corps Born: Saginaw Michigan, 9/3/1962 Grew Up: Frankenmuth Michigan Graduated: Frankenmuth High School 1980

3. Transformation of a Marine 1. Departed 28 September 1981 2. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego California

5. 28 September to 18 December 2001

6. 04 January 1982 to 25 February 1982

7. REDEYE/STINGER MISSILE SCHOOL

8. 27 February 1982 - 12 November 1983

9. 04 December 1984 - 06 December 1986

11. 11 January 1987 - 10 March 1989 USS Tripoli 6th Month West Pac NCO Leadership School

12. ROSE BOWL PARADE 31 March 1989 - 15 July 1993

13. COMMANDANT UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS - CENTURY CITY

14. COLOR GUARDS

15. DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM Pasadena Detachment Departs

16. DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM My Turn

17. DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM SAUDI ARABIA CAPTURED IRAQI EQUIPMENT

18. BIG BEAR/BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB Landers / Big Bear Earthquakes of June 28, 1992

19. STAFF NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS CAREER RESIDENCE COURSE

20. Second Tour 23 August 1993 - 17 July 1999

21. USS BELLEAU WOODS 3 Nov 1993 -13 May 1994 3 Jan 1995 -28 July 1995

22. MACG-18 Detachment Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) USS FREDRICK

23. GySgt Promotion The VPs Plane Receiving Medal Other Okinawa Events

24. Medal Awarded Mt Twister Operations/Training Section Other Okinawa Events

25. ADVANCE PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION RESIDENT COURSE EDUCATION CONTINUES 1999

26. 18 July 1999 - 1 August 2001 USS BOXER 6th Month West Pac

30. FIRST SERGEANT RESIDENT COURSE EDUCATION CONTINUES 2001

31. Unbelievable Dream Reached Promotion to First Sergeant

32. 1st Maintenance Battalion 1 August 2001 - December 2003

33. Combat Service Support Battalion 12 Operation Iraqi Freedom - 2003

34. I&I STAFF LAS VEGAS Two Marine Corps Units One First Sergeant 2nd Bn 23d Marines Det 6th MT Bn

35. Personally Coordinated over 300 + Funerals Since Jan 2004

36. Las Vegas Combat Casualties Supporting Those Left Behind LCPL Richard Perez Jr LCPL Nicholas Andersorn PFC John Lukac Cpl Christopher Weaver CPL Jesse Jaime CPL William Salazar

37. Las Vegas Ceremonial Support Coordination of all Color Guards and Parades Coordination Marine Corps Community Support Marine Corps Ball and Cake Cutting Ceremony

38. Most Important In My Life - Family

39. In the book Above & Beyond, Former Marines Conquer the Civilian World, the author writes “Marines have a different mindset and have been taught to handle problems in a different manner. They are taught to find a way to solve the problem, regardless of extenuating circumstances. They do not make excuses or try to determine why it can’t be done.” Written By Rudy Socha & Carolyn Darrow. They just get it done.