CORPORAL CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
ENLISTMENT AND EARLY YEARS
Coming from such a humble beginning, Judge Buckley wanted to get a fresh start on life. He decided to get this fresh start in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in the Marine Corps upon turning 18, but was in the delayed entry program until August 11, 1998 after graduating from Chesterton High School. Judge Buckley originally planned for a life in the Marine Corps Band, having been auditioned and accepted. He began Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on August 11, 1998, followed by Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, California. After surviving Marine Combat Training, he was sent to Little Creek, Virginia to develop his skill as a musician. But the Marine Corps had different plans. Through a variety of unforeseen circumstances, Chris was eventually assigned to Third Battalion, Third Marines--an infantry battalion--as a motor vehicle operator and machine gunner.
Deployments and Distinction
Throughout his four (4) honorable years in the United States Marine Corps on active duty, Chris had a number of hardships, experiences, and acts of service. Chris served on regular deployments to Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and Australia, among others. Chris served in peacetime as well as hostile environments. Chris received three (3) regular promotions, and earned a number of medals and awards, including the Navy/Marine Corps Medal (Of Heroism) awarded by the Commandant on behalf of the President of the United States. Chris was honorably discharged on August 10, 2002 as a Corporal of Marines.