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Marines


Biography

 

First Sergeant Joseph L. Bonnin
Unit Senior Enlisted Leader
Support Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion

1stSgt. Bonnin is a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1999.  On 3 November 2003, he reported to Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, 2nd Battalion, Echo Company and graduated on 28 January 2004.  Private Bonnin reported to Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, CA. After completing Marine Combat Training in March 2004, he reported to Fort Lee, VA to attend Military Occupational School to be a 1391, Bulk Fuel Specialist, graduating as a squad leader in April 2004.

Upon graduation from his Military Occupational School, Pvt Bonnin reported to Detachment Bulk Fuel Company Bravo in Green Bay, WI.  In June of 2004, he was promoted to Private First Class and was attached to 3rd platoon.  In March 2005, he was promoted to Lance Corporal and appointed a Fire Team Leader in 3rd platoon.  In June 2005, he attended his first Annual Training exercise in Okinawa Japan at Camp Hanson.  In April 2006, he attended another Annual Training exercise in Alaska with 10 Marines from Green Bay, WI to complete the initial set up of a 40,000 Gallon fuel site.  The site was used to resupply fuel to the contract companies digging roads on an Alaskan Island.  He received 32,000 gallons and issued 18,000 gallons while being there.

In May 2006, he was promoted to Corporal, and in July 2008, he was promoted to Sergeant and appointed a Squad Leader for 3rd Platoon.  In July 2009, he was handpicked to be the only bulk fueler to attend an Annual Training Exercise in Norway.  During this exercise, he was assigned the mission to do a complete inventory of an Amphibious Assault Fuel System and maintain accountability of 16 other Marines.  In the fall of 2010, he attended Combat Marksman Coach at Camp Pendleton, CA in order to be a CMC for his Reserve Unit.  He was appointed Platoon Sergeant upon his return to the unit.

In January 2011, he was sent back to Fort Lee, VA to attend Petroleum Laboratory Specialist school to aide a unit that he was being deployed with.  He finished 2nd out of 21 in the class.  Upon graduating from Lab Course, he was attached to Support Platoon, Engineer Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6 and appointed as Platoon Sergeant.  While Platoon Sergeant, he was put in charge of maintaining accountability of 10 Bulk Fuelers, 12 Water Purifiers, and 13 Electricians.  He ensured they were receiving proper training in order to prepare for deployment.  In August 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he was appointed Bulk Fuel Chief.  His duties included maintaining accountability of 4 fuel sites ranging from the largest at 300,000 gallons to the smallest at 40,000 gallons.  He received numbers from each site and reported accountability to MEF.  He received a Certificate of Commendation for his efforts.

Sgt Bonnin returned to Det. Bulk Fuel Company Bravo in January 2012 and was reappointed Platoon Sergeant for 3rd Platoon.  He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in Oct 2012, and in January 2013, SSgt Bonnin was appointed Platoon Commander of the 3rd Platoon.  In February 2014, he attended Combat Marksmen Trainer at Quantico, Va.  He attended Career Course in July 2014 at Quantico VA, was appointed Class Leader for his group, and received a Letter of Appreciation for his hard work.

In October 2014, SSgt Bonnin was appointed as Operations Chief for Det. Bulk Fuel Company Bravo.  He ensured that Drill Schedules were made, that training was being accomplished and overall ensuring the Marines were deployable.  In December 2015, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and appointed as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Detachment Bulk Fuel Company Bravo in February 2016.

On 1 August 2017, GySgt Bonnin was selected as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for a group of Marines reporting to Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, GA.  An F3 tornado went down the middle of the base, destroyed various equipment, and damaged several buildings that held much of the storage supplies.  The 140 Marines were used to repair equipment and ensure accountability of the supply warehouses.  GySgt Bonnin maintained accountability of the Marines and handle administrative and logistical requirements for the Marines.  He received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his work there.

In July 2019, GySgt Bonnin returned to Detachment Bulk Fuel Company Bravo and was reassigned as the unit’s senior enlisted advisor.  In March 2020, He was selected for the rank of First Sergeant.  On 1 July 2020 he reported to Support Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion in Saint Paul, MN.  1stSgt Bonnin received his 2nd Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for the work he performed at Detachment Bulk Fuel Company.

1stSgt Bonnin’s personal decorations include the (2) Letters of Appreciation, (2) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, 5th award, a Certificate of Commendation, and a Meritorious Mast.