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President & Founder
Branch: US Marine Corps
Status: Reserves; Mobilized on Active Duty with Operation
Enduring Freedom
BACKGROUND:
Gunnery
Sergeant Jamal S. Baadani founded the Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in
Military due to the backlash against Arab Americans and the backlash directed
towards his family by Americans in response to the acts committed by the
terrorists towards
America
on September 11th, 2001. Gunny
Sergeant Baadani decided to establish APAAM shortly after 9/11 to make a
difference in Arab American Communities nationwide in an effort to organize
current and former Arab Americans in the military to help educate America and
Arab communities of their dual patriotism to their ancestral heritage, and their
burning dedication to this country by emphasizing their service and sacrifice as
military service men and women. There are approximately 3,500 Arab Americans
serving in our Armed Forces.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/ACCREDITATIONS:
·
Founded the Association
of Patriotic Arab Americans in military -APAAM shortly after September 11th,
2001.
·
Received "Immigrant
of Inspiration" Award by National Immigration Forum in February of 2002.
·
Received "Military
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal" by US Marine Corps for Founding APAAM
in June 2002.
·
Exclusive Feature on
CNN's Newsnight with Aaron Brown/Brian Cabell.
·
Part of PBS Documentary
"They Came To
America
" Profiling Immigrants Contributions to
America
.
·
Featured in People
Magazine's 9/11 Anniversary Edition.
·
Featured in over 30
Major Newspaper publications for Founding APAAM since 9/11.
BIOGRAPHY:
Gunnery Sergeant Jamal S.
Baadani recently returned from his 2nd tour with Operation Enduring Freedom as
part of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa where for 12 months he
was the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge, Administrative Officer, and
Yemen Cultural Expert for the Country Coordination Element - Yemen based at the
United States Embassy Sana'a, Yemen.
Gunnery Sergeant Jamal S.
Baadani was born and raised in
Cairo
Egypt
to Yemeni Parents. Gunnery Sergeant Baadani immigrated to the
United States
at the age of 10 with his father. After graduating High School in
Michigan
, Gunnery Sergeant Baadani enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in July of
1981 and attended Boot Camp in June of 1982.
After completing Basic Training, Private Baadani was sent to Redeye /
Stinger
Gunner
School
in
Fort Bliss
,
Texas
where he finished as Honor Graduate and subsequently promoted meritoriously to
Private First Class. PFC Baadani reported to 2nd FAAD (Forward Area Air Defense)
Battery in
North Carolina
in October of 1982. In July 1983, PFC Baadani was meritoriously promoted to
Lance Corporal, and in January of 1984, the young 19 year old Lance Corporal
Baadani was sent to combat in
Beirut
Lebanon
to participate with the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) in support of the
Multi-National Peacekeeping Force Ashore at
Beirut
International
Airport
as a Stinger Missile Gunner and Arabic Linguist. LCpl Baadani was combat
promoted to Corporal in February of 1984. Immediately after the Marines
withdrawal from
Beirut
International
Airport
, Cpl Baadani was sent to the US Embassy Beirut
Lebanon
to participate with 24th MAU as part of the embassy external security force.
Cpl Baadani returned to the
US
in June of 1984.
Cpl Baadani was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant while conducting
Cold Weather Operations in the
Sierra
Mountains
of
California
, followed by NATO operations in
Norway
in February 1987. Upon his return, Sgt Baadani was assigned to the 26th MEU
(Marine Expeditionary Unit) from May 1987 – Sept 1988. During his assignment
to 26th MEU and tour of the Mediterranean Sea, Sgt Baadani and his section were
tasked to participate in Contingency Operation “Ernest Will” in the
Persian Gulf
by providing Stinger Air Defense for the 6th Fleet Admiral on the USS Carrier
Forestall. After completing the tour with 26th MEU, Sgt Baadani was given the
responsibility of being the first Stinger Missile Tactical Instructor for the
Moving Target Simulator (MTS) at
Cherry Point
,
North Carolina
. Sgt Baadani developed the training syllabus and instructional procedures for
the newly built high tech training center for the development of the 2nd Low
Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion program.
After 12 months as Senior MTS Instructor, Sgt Baadani was assigned to Recruiting
Duty from Sept 1989-June 1992 with Recruiting Station Dallas, Texas. Sgt Baadani
was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant in July of 1991 while on Recruiting
Duty. Gunnery Sergeant Baadani left Active Duty after 10 years of service.
Eight years later, in January 2000, Gunnery Sergeant Baadani entered the US
Marine Corps Reserve. As a Drilling Reservist for 3rd ANGLICO from February 2000
to April 2002 he held the following billets, Administrative Chief, Personnel
Officer, and H&S Company Platoon Sergeant. He
was also selected as part of a select “Goodwill Ambassador” Contingent to
represent the
US
in
Australia
in June/July 2001. Gunnery Sergeant Baadani was Detachment Co-Commander of the
20 Marine contingent.
In April of 2002 Gunnery Sergeant Baadani served one year on active duty with II Marine
Expeditionary Force (II MEF) as part of UNITAS that provided operational relief for
II MEF to support Operations Enduring Freedom.
Immediately after, he was mobilized for 14 months as part of Operation
Enduring Freedom in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).
He returned to the
United States
in May of 2004 and de-mobilized back to the Inactive Ready Reserves in June 04.
In June 05, he was mobilized once again as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Parade Magazine
Article - April 17, 2005 - click to read entire article
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