Leander Marcellus Burgess

Master Chief Burges was born on September 20th in Landstuhl, West Germany to an Army family where his father led the way as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. Master Chief Burgess' military career stretches over 24 years and three different services. He first joined the Marine Corp in August 1987 at the age of 17 and attended boot camp at Parris Island, SC. He then attended Marine Corp School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, NC and was selected for Barracks Duty at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Master Chief Burgess then transferred to the Fleet Marine Force where he was assigned to 1st Battalion 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC. While Master Chief Burgess was with the 6th Marines, he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan where he received new orders that sent his unit to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. In the Persian Gulf, Master Chief Burgess fought on the front lines when the United States went on the offensive during Desert Storm and was a member of the Enemy Prisoner of War (EPOW) team. After a 9-month deployment, Master Chief returned to NC where he finished out his enlistment with the Marine Corps in 1991.

In 1993, Master Chief Burgess the joined the Tupelo, MS Army National Guard where he was a member of the 155th Brigade Combat Team and worked in the Rear Tactical Operations Center. In 1994, Master Chief Burgess relocated to IL and joined the IL Army National Guard as a member of the 178th Infantry based out of Chicago, IL.

In 1995, Master Chief began his journey with the Coast Guard by attending boot camp in Cape May, NJ. His first set of orders directed him to New Orleans, LA where he worked in Facilities Engineering before attending RD "A" School at TRACEN Yorktown and graduating with honors. As a Radarman, Master Chief Burgess' first duty assignment was on the CGC RUSH (WHEC-723) stationed in Honolulu, HI for 3 years. He then transferred to Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Center in Seattle, WA for a year and a half before receiving orders back to CGC RUSH (WHEC-723) as the Leading Petty Officer in the Combat Information Center (CIC). Master Chief Burgess held this position for a year and a half before transferring to Group Portland, Oregon as a Search and Rescue Controller. After one year in this position, Master Chief Burgess advanced to the rank of Chief, transferred to PACAREA Intel, and completed a mutual transfer in order to return sea as a Chief of CIC onboard the CGC BOUTWELL (WHEC-719).

In 2006, Master Chief Burgess received new orders transferring him to Sector Houston-Galveston, TX as the Radio Chief in the Command Center and the Command Security Officer for Sector Houston-Galveston. Master Chief held this position for 2 years before advancing to the rank of Senior Chief in 2008 and transferring to Valdez, AK for duty as the Supervisor of Prince William Sound Vessel Traffic Center and Command Senior Chief for four local area units. In 2010, Master Chief Burgess transferred to LANTAREA C4IT in Portsmouth, VA where he advanced to the rank of Master Chief and departed in 2011 for TRACEN Petaluma to assume duties as the OS Rating Training Master Chief at TRACEN Petaluma.

As the OS Rating Training Master Chief, he worked closely with the OS Rating Force Master Chief to help usher in a new era of training and advancement testing in the form of RPQS and ERATS. The OS rate was one of the first ratings to make this change at TRACEN Petaluma.

Master Chief Burgess holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from American Military University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston. After obtaining his degree, he continued to serve his community by becoming a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the state of Texas.

Earlier in life, Leander Burgess joined in holy wedlock with Cynthia Terry and to this union one child (Jazmyne Burgess) was born. As his life journeyed onward, he joined in holy wedlock with Loumar "Rina" Estepa and no child was born of this union. Leander leaves behind to treasure his memories: Kayleigh (granddaughter), Jazmyne (daughter), Anwaar (mother), Doris (stepmother), Terree and Kimetta (sisters), Melesia and Melissa (stepsisters); along with a host of other relatives and friends. He's preceded in death by his father (Leodis), uncle (Stanley) and grandparents.

Acknowledgement

The Family of Leander Marcellus Burgess wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to them during this hour of bereavement. May God bless and keep you!