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Michael Bachand
Home town; Burlington, Vermont
Military Career; Enlisted in the Navy 1982, SEABEES, Active duty 3.5 years, Construction Mechanic
Joined for 3X6, 3 years active, 2 years active reserve, 1-year inactive reserve
Joined Naval Reserve in Brunswick Maine, in 1990
Presidential recall deployment to Rota Spain, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
Navy Reserve, Senior Chief
Joined Army National Guard 2002, Worked at RTI in IT developing courseware
25 Bravo, Information Technology Specialist, 79 Tango
Joined AGR in 2005 until retirement in 2017 as a recruiter and Automation Specialist
Graduated from Champlain College with a degree in Information Technology
What was the most rewarding part of serving?
I was a Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP) Instructor on drill weekends for Red Phase, which is their very first drill. We taught the recruits how to salute, how to wear the uniform and tell military time, and stuff like that. That kind of teaching was the highlight of my career, I did that for 13 years. I also taught Information Operations (IO) in the IO battalion. The uniform was good for me, I spent 34 years total between National Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty. I liked it, I liked what I did. It’s always nice when people ask what you do, especially about the RSP side of the work. Training young people was very rewarding. I still see Soldiers around that I trained in RSP.
What would you tell someone that’s thinking of joining the military?
Don’t be afraid of it, it’s a good thing. You make a lot of friends. I still talk to people I was stationed with at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, during my first enlistment. I would say do it, and also look at all the opportunities that are offered, warrant officer, or commissioned officer. It’s a good gig!
Is there something you know now that you wish you knew then?
I guess I would have joined earlier than I did, like right after high school. I don’t regret joining at 25, I still loved it. My Navy career was awesome, a lot of good Annual Training (AT) overseas.
What’s your job today?
I work for the State of Vermont as the Electronic Security Systems Manager. I handle all the gate access, security cameras, and alarm systems. I retired 6 years ago and have been doing that ever since. I moved my office about 30 feet or so! I get to work with people I know and my friends are all around. It really wasn’t a transition at all! The only real difference is I no longer wear the uniform. It’s been a great opportunity! (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alvarez)
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2023 11:16 |
| Photo ID: | 7714460 |
| VIRIN: | 230330-Z-AC359-462 |
| Resolution: | 2343x3514 |
| Size: | 728.03 KB |
| Location: | COLCHESTER, VERMONT, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, Vermont National Guard Alumni Still Works Here, by SFC Jason Alvarez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
