Sgt. Zachary Borley, MACS-23

Published April 8, 2009

WARRIOR OF THE WEEK -- Marine Sgt. Zachary Borley, a radar crew chief from Marine Air Control Squadron 23 is Team Buckley's Warrior of the Week for April 17 - 23.

Sergeant Borley has been a Marine for four years and four months. He hails from Endicott, N.Y., which he says is the home of the "Square Deal." He enjoys shooting, weight lifting, playing sports and hanging out.

What is the combat capability that this person exemplified to earn the title, "Warrior of the Week?"
"From July 2008 to January 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant Borley's efforts resulted in more than 3000 hours of uninterrupted radar coverage over a vital region of Iraqi Airspace," said Capt. Casey McKinney, MACS-23 F-6 officer. "By serving in a senior billet and having to operate and maintain an aging AN/TPS-59 (V) 3 radar system, Sergeant Borley successfully troubleshot more than 20 components that were critical to the operation of the radar. Additionally, he trained the trainer by teaching several junior radar Marines how to effectively isolate faulty components. In addition to his normal duties, Sergeant Borley coordinated unit level cardiopulmonary resuscitation training that resulted in 20 Marines being certified to administer CPR and worked to increase the unit's safety posture."

How do your day-to-day duties impact the Marine Corps mission?
My day-to-day duties impact the Marine Corps by supplying tactical surveillance, controlling and combat support of the skies.

If you could change one thing about the Marine Corps what would it be?
One thing about the Marine Corps I would change would be more funding for research and development for our gear and equipment.

Why do you serve?
I serve for many reasons but a few would be to protect my country and those in it, and to provide freedom for all.

What has been your most memorable experience in the Marine Corps?
My most memorable experience in the Marine Corps would have to be my first deployment to Ramadi, Iraq.

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
During my deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, I positively identified an insurgent sniper that was targeting my dismounted team members then denied the sniper the opportunity to fire upon my team.

If you were not in the military, where would you be? Why?
If I was not in the Marine Corps I see myself being a police officer in New York -- to protect and serve my fellow Americans at home.

Where would you like to be in 10 years? What will you be doing?
In 10 years I would like to still be serving in the Marine Corps, mentoring, leading and taking care of fellow Marines, whether it be here or in a combat zone abroad.

Military accomplishments:
-- Army, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals
-- Certificate of Appreciation from my first combat tour to Ramadi, Iraq
-- For my second tour to Iraq I received a second Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
-- Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal for four years of Faithful and Honorable service
-- Meritoriously promoted to corporal
-- Also while serving in Iraq as an Aviation Radar Repairman I filled the billet of Aviation Radar Technician, which is the second level of my military occupation specialty
-- As well as filling a higher billet I also was the crew chief as a corporal for several months before being promoted to the rank of sergeant