BIOGRAPHY

Commander Hafner | 1st SGT Pereira

Commander Edward Hafner, USN (Ret.), Naval Science Instructor:

Commander Hafner graduated from Central Michigan University in 1976 and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1977.

Prior to his duties as the Naval Science Instructor at West High School, he was Assistant Chief of Staff for the Command and Control Warfare, with Carrier Battle Group Two, on board U.S.S John F. Kennedy.

Additionally, Commander Hafner has served as the Commanding and Executive Officer of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One Three Five, the Executive Officer of Tactical Electrical Warfare Squadron One Two Nine, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One Three Zero during Desert Storm and as a Naval Officer recruiter.

He has accumulated over 2500 flight hours, 748 carrier landings and over twenty combat missions. He has received numerous personal, combat, unit, and campaign military awards, including the Meritorious Service medal, the Strike/Flight Air Medal (three awards), and the Individual Air Medal (three awards with combat V for valor). In 1983 and 1984, Commander Hafner was the nation's Top Officer Recruiter.

Commander Hafner is married to the former Miss Sandy Fabiano of Medford, Massachusetts. They have three sons- David, Joey, and Robbie.

First Sargeant John D. Pereira, USMC (Ret.), Associate Naval Science Instructor:

1st SGT Pereira was born March 4, 1942 in Newport News, Virginia and graduated from Hampton HIgh School in 1960. He enlisted in the Marine Corps upon graduation and completed recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina and Infantry School at Camp Legeune, North Carolina.

1st SGT Pereira served on active duty for ten years that included a tour in Vietnam as a Rifle Squad Leader at the rank of Sargeant; three years as an Infantry Tactics Instructor; and upon being commissioned, a Second Lieutenant, he returned to Vietnam to serve as a Rifle Platoon Commander and Company Commander. On May 31, 1970, at his own request, FIrst Lieutenant Periera was reverted to the rank of Gunnery Sargeant and discharged.

After seven years, 1st SGT Pereira enlisted in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve. He served five years as a reservist, then in December of 1982, at age forty, 1stSargeant returned to active duty for an additional thirteen years of infantry duty.

With a total of twenty-eight years, 1st SGT Pereira retired at the rank of First Lieutenant, though he chooses to wear his enlisted rank. He has recieved numerous personal, combat, unit, and campaign awards.

1st SGT Pereira began his present position as Associate Naval Science Instructor on November 15, 1995.

1st SGT Pereira is married to the former Miss Patricia A. Crabtree of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. They have three married children, Douglas, James, and Teri, and three grandchildren.