Zachary had a very interesting beginning to his Marine career in 2003. He and his Grandfather Jim, a former active-duty Marine Captain, went through the recruitment process to try to obtain a preferred MOS for Zachary’s initial assignment. When the Recruiter found out that Zachary was ½ credit from his High School diploma, he insisted that Zachary return to his high school, Reynoldsburg Ohio HS and finish his diploma requirement instead of taking the GED test. Zachary delayed his entry and returned to RHS to earn that last ½ credit and his diploma. Zachary was sent to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC for his basic training.
Once he graduated from Basic Training, he was sent to Camp Lejeune, NC for Infantry Training prior to his assignment to the Louis L Garland DOD Fire Academy located at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX. Once he completed the Air Fire rescue course, he was assigned to the MCAF Quantico, ARFF section. During his three years at MCAFQ, he returned several times to the DoD Fire Academy Training to get his certification as a Hazmat Specialist, EMT Basic, EMT advanced, MDL/CDL truck driver’s license, and he was promoted to his final rank of Corporal. He was Honorably Discharged from the Corps in 2007. He then became a DoD firefighter assigned to Al Taqaddum Air Base Iraq. He served as a Structural Fire Specialist for one year at the base, in Iraq.
When he returned to the United States, he expressed interest in returning to the Marines but decided against reenlisting when the offer was contingent on losing his NCO rank. He decided to join the US Army when they offered him a spot at the Special Forces Qualification Course Camp Mackall, NC. He completed the Special Forces training and became an 18B assigned to C Company, 2D Battalion, 3rd SFG (Airborne). He served two combat deployments in Afghanistan and rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class. Zachary died in Kenya during a deployment for weapons training for Kenya’s Special Forces.
Zachary’s USA military education included Basic Airborne Course, Basic Leadership Course, SF Weapons Sgt Course, Advanced Leader Course, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, SF Advanced Urban Combat Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, USA Sniper Course.
Zachary’s military awards and decorations include Three Bronze stars, one with the Valor Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Number 2 Device, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.
*All photos and information above were lovingly provided by the Bannister Family*
