Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Master Gunnery Sergeant Kephas Retired from US Marine Corps

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): April 6, 2009 - On March 06, 2009 Master Gunnery Sergeant Rudy A. Kephas retired from the United States military after 30 years of honorable and faithful service. He is from the remote village of Wallage in Kosrae. In honor of his service, we are telling his story.

Rudy A. Kephas was born on August 30, 1956 on the island of Kosrae, in the Federated States of Micronesia. He attended Kosrae High School and graduated in 1975. He spent two years in Nursing School on Saipan and then moved on to the United States to further his education at Eastern Oregon State College.

In March of 1979 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp under the Delayed Entry Program and attended the recruit Training at San Diego, California. After graduating from the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Private First Class Kephas attended Correction School at Ft McClellan, Alabama and received his first duty order to Marine Corp Base, Quantico Virginia as a Correctional Specialist. In January of 1980, Lance Corporal Kephas transferred to Camp McTourous in Okinawa, Japan where he spent a year and a half and transferred back to the United States where he was assigned to Marine Corp Base, Parris Island, South Carolina.

In 1983 Corporal Kephas changed his field of specialty from a Military Occupational Specialist to the Air Delivery field and was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During the same year he attended the Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia and Rigger School in Ft. Lee, Virginia. Cpl Kephas returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was assigned to the 2nd Air Delivery Platoon. During this assignment, he participated in numerous Combined Arm Exercises in 29 Palms, California, and later was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of the 10th Marines.

In 1985 Corporal Kephas returned to Okinawa and was assigned to the 3rd Air Delivery Platoon, under the 3rd Landing Support Battalion where he participated in Combined Military Exercises in South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Guam and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1987 Sergeant Kephas was a Primary Marksmanship Instructor for his unit and participated in the Far East Division Matches on Okinawa. During the same year Sergeant Kephas returned to Camp Pendleton, California and was assigned to the 1st Landing Support Battalion and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1989. During this tour, he successfully completed the Jump Master School in Ft. Genning Georgia. In 1990 SSgt Kephas was deployed to Hawaii in support of the 3rd airdrops missions at Pohakolua Training area, and in January of 1991 SSgt Kephas deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert/Storm. There, he participated in Operation Provide Comfort in Incerlik Air force Base, Turkey where they provided humanitarian airdrop mission for Kurdish refugees in Northern Iraq. During the same year in September he received orders to go to Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Lee, Virginia as an instructor at the Air Delivery and Field Services Department; a combined military school for Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Allied Nation soldiers. During this tour he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.

In 1995 Gunnery Sergeant Kephas returned to Okinawa where he was assigned to the 3rd Force Service Support Group as the Operation Chief. In June of the same year he was reassigned to the Marine Expeditionary Unit where he spent 2 years as the Logistic Chief. During this tour he participated in Combined Military Exercises in Thailand, Korea and Australia and was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. Upon completion of his tour on Okinawa he returned to the United States where he continued his duty with the Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 in Cherry Point, North Carolina as the Operation Chief.

In 2001 Master Sergeant Kephas received orders back to Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Lee, Virginia as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of the Airborne and Field Services Department.

In November 2002 Master Sergeant Kephas was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant. In November 2003 he received orders to Camp Smith, Hawaii as the G-4 Strategic Mobility Chief, and in August of 2004, he was reassigned to Combat Service Support Group-3 at Marine Corp Base, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as the Operation Chief. In August 2006, Master Gunnery Kephas reported to his last duty station as the 2nd Marine Logistic Group G-3 Chief, where in September of 2006 he participated in exercise Nobel Midas in Split Croatia.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Kephas's decoration includes: Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star), Navy-Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Service Medal and various unit awards.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Kehpas is married to former Suzanne Marie Mason of Cincinnati, Ohio and they have two children, Ryan and Shane.