Sky Busk:
CLASS OF 1985
Tumwater High SchoolClass of 1985
Tumwater, WA
Tenino Elementary SchoolClass of 1985
Tenino, WA
Tumwater Junior High SchoolClass of 1985
Tumwater, WA
Clover Park High SchoolClass of 1985
Tacoma, WA
Clover Park High SchoolClass of 1985
Tacoma, WA
Sky 's Story
After graduating from Tumwater High School (happily, and I got to walk Danette Waldrop), I moved to Tacoma and attended Tacoma Community College. When I ran out of money, I moved back to Olympia. I started working multiple jobs. Not going anywhere in any corporate ladder, I walked into the Marine Corps' recruiting office in 1988 and asked, "Where do I sign up?" I figured since Lorne Curl, Russel Milarch, Brian and Keith Berisford, and even David Smith joined the Marine Corps, then I could. I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into.l About two months later I was on a plane bound for Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.
I graduated Marine Corps bootcamp in May 1988. When I enlisted, I went in “open contract” so that I could join quicker rather than wait to go when signing up for a specific field. I knew I was rolling the dice by doing so because I would be at the whims of the Marine Corps, but I had very good ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) scores so I counted on good judgment in placing me in an good occupational field. I got lucky because I was placed in Supply Administration (MOS 3043).
My first duty station was Marine Corps Air Station, Futemna, Okinawa. I was attached with the Marine Corps Air Wing, MAG 36. I stayed there for a year, and was not shy about going out to experience the culture. At least not after I received my "Dear John" letter from Lisa. I had bought a used car overseas, and used it to drive all over that island. I even took special tours that allowed me to visit a brewery, a glass factory, a couple restaurants, and a mongoose/snake fight to the death. While there I ran into David Smith (class of ‘85)!
My next duty station was Camp Pendleton, California. While stationed in the 22 Area, I got myself a part-time job at the Carlsbad Mall. Then Desert Shield happened, and most of my battalion went. I did not go. Town had become deserted. Suddenly, I was told on Wednesday that I was leaving to go overseas on Sunday; "Pack up!" I flew to Saudi Arabia. Desert Shield suddenly became Desert Storm. I feared I would not return. The SCUD alarms were going off nearly every day. Then the war was over. I was there for 85 days. Remarkably, while there I ran into Lorne Snow (Curl). I returned to Camp Pendleton and got my job back at the mall. However, I applied at Bullock's (Macy's), and started working there. Three months later I got Orders to Detachment 36 - Iwakuni, Japan. After a year there, I then was sent to Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group. First I was attached with 2d Force Recon and then Radio Battalion. I served honorably for eight years and was Honorably discharged. After a year I missed the Corps, so I went into the Selected Marine Corps Reserves. This was an Infantry unit in Madison, Wisconsin. I served for five years...Expand for more
with the last portion spent on active duty. I was recalled with "Involuntary Presidential Recall Orders" in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I was teaching rifle and pistol skills as a Block NCO. I then became a Primary Marksmanship Instructor. I reenlisted for another year but thought I had transferred to the Inactive Ready Reserve. When I went to reinstate to Active Reserve, they then told me I was not in the computer. That meant I fell off contract, and to get reinstated I had to re-enlist. I needed to see the Prior Service Recruiter. By then I was working for the State of Wisconsin (Department of Administration).
9/2012: I now work for the federal government as a Mail and File Clerk in the Consolidated Patient Accounts Center in Middleton, Wisconsin. Ten of my thirteen years in the Marine Corps has been credited towards my federal service. That's my full-time job. Twice a week I volunteer at Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin for a program called Briarpatch. We listen to teens in crisis, and help families through conditions of instability and extreme tension. I have been doing this since July of 2011.
5/2017. In 2015 I resigned from federal service and moved back to Olympia. I rolled the dice but was confident I would get another position. Sure enough! While driving my u-haul across the nation and in Montana, I got a job offer for Supply Tech aboard JBLM at Madigen Hospital. I accepted but before I started, I. Got interviewed and selected for the position I'm in now (since 9/2015). I work again for the VA as an Enrollment Specialist. I get veterans Enrolled in VA Healthcare, and really like the position at American Lake, (Tacoma).
May 2021 I resigned from federal service (again), but this time to take a “break.” Then, in October 2021 I became a Paraprofessional at an elementary school. Not a typical Para, but one who dealt with behavioral issues and social emotional learning. During the school year I provided supervision in the lunchroom. I took advantage of those moments and periodically I would do some magic tricks. Some days the kids would chant “magic trick, magic trick,….” I invested in these kids. Sadly, I only intended to do this for this school year so during the summer of 2022, I sought to return to federal service.
After several interviews, in many agencies, I got an offer (AUG 2022) from Homeland Security at the Sumas station (Mission Support). I have accepted this offer!
I have a Bachelor of Arts in MANAGEMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE from Concordia University. I have since then taken courses from Indiana University and Upper Iowa University in Social Work.
I have four children. They are Matthew Sky Busk; Summerann Caroline Busk; Adam Scott Edward Busk; and Elizabeth Caitlin Busk. Three were born in May, and one was born in October. I am remarried now.
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