Guests & Sponsors

Active Duty, U.S. Marine Corps

MSgt Gibson enlisted in the Marine Corps May 29^th 1989 after graduating from Pryor Senior High School in Pryor, Oklahoma. He attended the School of Infantry (SOI) as a 0351 Anti-Tank Assault-man and upon completion of SOI was ordered to 1^st Reconnaissance Battalion to begin training as a Reconnaissance Marine. While at 1^st Recon Bn, LCpl Gibson completed Amphibious Reconnaissance Course, Airborne School, R&S School, and numerous schools designed for Recon Marines. He deployed in Operation Desert Storm/Shield, Operation Sea Angel (Bangladesh), and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia ’92-93). Upon return from Somalia, LCpl Gibson was released from the Marine Corps and returned to Oklahoma to attend college.

On April 18^th 1995, LCpl Gibson applied for prior service entry back into the Marine Corps. Upon re-entry, LCpl Gibson was designated as a Marine Artillery Scout Observer (0861). LCpl Gibson was the distinguished Honor Graduate of MASOC and upon graduation he was ordered to 3^rd Battalion 12^th Marine Regiment, in Okinawa Japan. While at 3/12 he conducted numerous training operations and deployments with 31^st MEU. He was then transferred to 1^st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO). While at 1^st ANGLICO he attended Static Line Jumpmaster School, Fire Support Coordination School, Drop Zone Safety Team Leader Course, and numerous other schools to include; US Army Ranger School and Sergeants Course both of which he was the Honor Graduate.

Upon the deactivation of 1^st ANGLICO, Sgt Gibson was assigned to Marine Corps Recruiting Command, 8^th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station in Oklahoma City. While on recruiting duty he was the Recruiting Station Recruiter of Year and meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. SSgt Gibson completed his recruiting tour as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Recruiting Sub-Station Claremore.

After recruiting duty SSgt Gibson was assigned to 3^rd 12^th Marines as the Artillery Liaison Chief to 4^th Marine Regiment. While at 3/12 SSgt Gibson participated in 18 off-Okinawa training exercises to include, Thailand and Philippine MTWAS, UFL, and numerous relocation operations on all 5 major Japanese training bases. SSgt Gibson was promoted to GySgt on Mt. Fuji in 2004. After promotion, GySgt Gibson was specifically selected to build and activate 5^th ANGLICO, a Unit which did not previously exist. GySgt Gibson selected nearly 50 Marines to build the 1^st Brigade Platoon and trained them to deploy, within the year, to Operation Iraqi Freedom. GySgt Gibson was instrumental in developing the units Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC), Supporting Arms Liaison Teams, and Fire Power Control Teams for deployment.             

GySgt Gibson deployed as a JTAC with 1^st Brigade Platoon in January 2006. He was assigned as a Direct Support JTAC to the 1^st Iraqi Army (IA) Brigade, 1^st IA Division in Ramadi Iraq. On May 16^th, 2006 while on a foot patrol, GySgt Gibson was shot through the left knee during a fire fight. His wounds required his left leg to be amputated just above the knee. While rehabilitating at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, he started training and competing in Triathlons. From Nov. 2006 till Nov. 2007 he competed in over 12 races including one marathon, two half ironman races, and a three day adventure race in support of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

In May 2007, GySgt Gibson was released from patient status to Marine Artillery Detachment, Ft. Sill Oklahoma as the Chief Instructor of Marine Artillery Scout Observers Course and Marine Air Ground Task Force, Fire Support Coordination Course. His duties at Ft. Sill were short lived and he re-deployed to Iraq in January 2008 as the IMEF Fwd Fires Support Coordination Chief. This deployment made GySgt Gibson the first above the knee amputee to return to a ground combat area of operation.

MSgt Gibson was promoted to present grade by Lt. Gen. Kelly, on Camp Fallujah, while deployed to Iraq in 2008.

In October 2008, MSgt Gibson was selected to become one of the first two Enlisted Congressional Fellows to Congress. He attended the Georgetown Government Affairs Institute Course in December 2008 and began his fellowship assigned to the Ranking Member House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Congressman Steve Buyer.

MSgt Gibson is currently assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

MSgt Gibson’s is a recipient of the Schoville Award for Leadership, AUSA Leadership Award, GQ Integrity Award, US Army Ranger Tab, Navy/Marine Corps Parachute Badge, and a Pat Tillman Scholar. His personal awards are the Purple Heart, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor Device (2^nd Award), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 Awards), the Combat Action Ribbon (3 Awards), Volunteer Service Medal, and numerous other awards.

In his spare time he mentors his fellow wounded warriors and is a full time college student pursuing a degree in Psychology from University of Maryland, University College. His goal is to receive a PhD in Clinical Psychology in order to assist his fellow wounded warriors to live a more productive life.   

 
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FRIDAY NIGHT SPEAKER
Representative Lisa J. Billy

It is now confirmed, Representative Lisa J. Billy has agreed to be our guest speaker Friday night.  We are so privileged to have her.  She was the driving force behind the MIAP, the strengthening of the Oklahoma Funeral Picketing Act and the PGR recognition Day at the Capitol.