BIO

(Resume)

SFC James P. Caras
Battalion Master Gunner
HQ 1st Bn 252d Armor
Fayetteville, NC
http://www.angelfire.comnc3/master_gunner/

http://www.angelfire.comnc3/master_gunner/
mstergnr@aol.com

The picture above is A12. The "Top Gun" Crew of A/1-252d Ar in 1997. We had just finished qualifying and were getting ready to do some maneuver training. As "Top Gun" we were selected to give some dignataries a "demonstration ride" (dog and pony show).

Pictured standing right to left are:

1. SPC (now SGT) Norm Zanders, Gunner

2. then NC Secretary of Crime control and Public Safety, Honorable Richard Moore

3. unknown guest of Scretary Moore

4. Me (then a SSG), Tank Commander

5. SPC Donald Avant, Driver

Kneeling is PFC Eastman, Loader

That was one damn good crew! I was VERY proud to work with them.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
(Resume)


Name: Caras, James P.               Date: 15 September 2001

Primary MOS: 19K40A8                Duty MOS: 19K40A8

Present grade: SFC/E7               Date of rank: 27 September 1996

Years of active service and BASD: 15 years, 6 months, 15 March 1986

Total years of service and PEBD: 19 years, 6 months, 16 March 1982

Date of birth: 8 September 1964        Place of birth: Munich Army 
                                                       Hospital, Munich,
                                                       Federal Republic of
                                                       Germany

Marital status: Married, Maria Caras, 1 Daughter, Emily Caras

Business telephone number: 910-484-1849

Civilian Education: Graduated South View Senior High School 1982, Hope Mills, NC
                    Enrolled University of North Carolina-Pembroke, Pembroke, NC – Senior, BS Business Management,
                    Projected graduation date: May 2002

Military Education:

M1A1 Conduct of Fire Trainer Instructor/Operator Certification Training – 
     40 hours – Southern Pines, NC, 2000
Tank Weapons Gunnery Simulation System Train the Trainer Course – 40 hours – 
     Ft. Bragg, NC, 1999
Standard Army Training System 4.1 – 40 hours – Ft. Bragg, NC, 1998
Tank Weapons Gunnery Simulation System – 40 hours – Ft. Knox, KY, 1998
M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course – 10 weeks – Ft. Knox, KY, 1998
M1A1 Tank Commander’s Certification Course – 2 weeks – Boise, ID, 1997
Abrams Full Crew Interactive Simulation Trainer Senior Instructor/Operator –
     40 hours – Ft. Bragg, NC, 1996
Phase II 19K MOSQ – 2 weeks – Boise, ID, 1996
Unit Supply Specialist Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course – 109 – 
     hours - Ft. Lee, VA, 1995
Unit Supply Specialist Skill Level 40 Correspondence Course – 38 hours – 1995
Unit Supply Specialist Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course – 8 weeks – 
     Ft. Lee, VA. 1990
Operation and Unit Maintenance Course M8A1 Chemical Alarm – 8 hours – 
     Fayetteville, NC, 1989
Unit Supply Specialist Skill Level 20 Correspondence Course – 8 hours - 1988
IBM Operations – 40 hours – Fayetteville Technical Institute, 1987
Primary Leadership Development Course – 4 weeks – Ft. Bragg, NC, 1987
Unit Supply Specialist Advanced Individual Training – 7 weeks – 
     Ft. Jackson, SC, 1985
US Army Basic Infantry Training – 9 weeks – Ft. Dix, NJ, 1982

Decorations, awards and citations: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd Oak Leaf 
Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National 
Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Non-Commissioned 
Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component 
Overseas Training Ribbon, North Carolina State Active Duty Award (Numeral 2), North Carolina 
National Guard Service Award (15 year device)

Civilian affiliations: Life member of North Carolina National Guard Association, Life member 
National Rifle Association, Member Non-Commissioned Officer’s Association, Member of Pi Kappa 
Alpha Fraternity

Significant experience:

Active Guard/Reserve Status – 30 September 1986 to present
Battalion Master Gunner - 1 December 1999 to present, HQ 1st Bn 252d Armor
Tank Commander/Master Gunner/HQ Platoon Sergeant – 15 October 1996 to 30 November 1999, 
     A Co. 1st Bn 252d Armor
Tank Commander – 15 March 1996 to 14 October 1996, A Co. 1st Bn 252d Armor
Supply Sergeant – 1 August 1989 to 14 March 1996, HHC(-) 1st Bn 252d Armor
Armorer – 1 September 1988 to 31 July 1989, HHC(-) 1st Bn 252d Armor
Supply Specialist – 21 August 1984 to 31 August 1988, HHC(-) 1st Bn 252d Armor
ROTC Cadet – 16 March 1982 to 20 August 1984, HHC 1st Bn 252d Armor
Enlistment – 16 March 1982, HHC 1st Bn 252d Armor