Tully Bryant:  

Life Sergeant Major Thomas Tully Bryant joined the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program on 18 October, 1977. On June 7th, 1978 he attended Recruit Training at MCRD, San Diego with the Bayou State Platoon. All 68 recruits were from Louisiana. After graduating recruit training, PFC Bryant attended Aviation Fundamental Class, and the Basic Helicopter Course at MATSG 90 on NAS Millington, Tennessee. Upon completion of that training, he reported to HMLA 767, 4th MAW , Belle Chasse Louisiana for duty as an SMCR UH/AH-1 mechanic during November, 1978. In June, 1979, LCPL Bryant augmented back to Marine Corps active duty and reported to HMM-261, aboard MCAS New River, North Carolina. There he joined his brother, Sergeant William Bryant. Both Marines shared the same duties as CH-46 helicopter mechanics and crewchiefs (air crewmen). Cpl Bryant remained with “The Bulls” until October, 1981 when he was promoted to Sgt and assigned to HMT- 204 to assist training new pilots. In August, 1983 Sgt Bryant transferred to the Search and Rescue (SAR) Detachment at MCAS, Beaufort, South Carolina. While there he served as a SAR crewchief and also a rescue swimmer. While stationed at Beaufort, he was promoted to SSgt and held billets as NCOIC of the Line Division; Maintenance Control; Quality Assurance; Search and Rescue; and NATOPS. In January, 1988, SSgt Bryant reported to MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina for Drill Instructor duty. During that tour, he worked six platoons and his final role was as a Marine Corps Combat Water Survival Instructor-Instructor. After Parris Island, SSgt Bryant returned to MCAS Beaufort for SAR Duty in March, 1990. In August he was offered the billet as Line Division Chief for the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor airplane being tested by the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. In January, 1991 he reported to MCAF Quantico, Virginia for duty. While at HMX-1, SSgt Bryant qualified as an Operational Test Director for Marine Corps Aircrew systems. In that role he performed developmental testing on items such as Night Vision Goggles, crew-served weapons, aircrew clothing and the helicopter aircrew helmet. In May, 1995 GySgt Bryant transferred back to the fleet and joined “The Black Knights” of HMM-264 at New River. While deployed in Bosnia 18 months later he...Expand for more