By VICKI BROWN
Colleton resident Gunnery Sergeant Travis J. “TJ” Godley was recently honored in a ceremony as he retired from the United States Marine Corps.
The retirement ceremony was held in his honor on Thursday March 31, at the Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel and led by Lt. Col. Isaiah Martinez, former Walterboro resident and now Executive Officer, 9th, Marine Corps District, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, serving in Great Lakes, Illinois. Music was provided by the Quantico Marine Corps Band.
Godley’s sister, Denise Givens, gave the invocation, and his wife, Holly Bryan Godley, was presented with a certificate of appreciation from A.J. Pasagian, Brigadier General that said, “Your devotion and inspiration enabled Godley’s achievements and successful service to the corps and country and epitomize our motto: “semper fidelis”. Through your attitude of service, you have touched the lives of countless people both in the Marine Corps and the community.” Flowers were given to Holly Godley and Travis Godley’s mother Joan McMillan.
As the ceremony opened, Sergeant Godley was presented with the Meritorious Service medal and complimented in a speech by Lt. Col. Martinez.
“His superior performance of duties culminated his 20 years of honorable and dedicated military service. By his professionalism, perseverance, and loyal dedication to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Godley reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service,” said Martinez.
Godley was raised in Islandton, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2001. He trained in Parris Island and attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After MCT, PFC Godley completed Telephone Systems Personal Computer Repair Course at Marine Corps Communication Electronics School in California.
Godley later received orders to the 2nd Force Imagery Interpretation Unit, 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Cherry Point, North Carolina, as the Tactical Exploitation Group Main (TEG-M) systems administrator from June 2003 to June 2007. During this time, he deployed on three separate occasions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was crossed trained as an Imagery analyst.
In June of 2007, Sgt Godley received orders to the Imagery Analysis Apprenticeship Course, Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX. In October of 2007 Sgt Godley was selected to graduate the course early to become an instructor and curriculum developer for the Tactical Imagery Analysis Course from November 2007 to October 2010.
In October 2010, Sgt Godley accepted orders to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 (VMFA(AW)-242), 1st Marine Air Wing, Iwakuni, Japan where he served as Imagery Analyst and Imagery Chief from October to fulfill the challenging role of a Marine Corps Recruiter. He reported to the Basic Recruiter Course, MCRD San Diego, CA, and subsequently was assigned to Recruiting Station Columbia, SC where he served as Recruiter and Pool Program Specialist.
In November 2016, Staff Sergeant Godley received orders and reported to Marine Unmanned Vehicle Squadron Two (VMU-2), 2nd MAW, Cherry Point, NC where he served as Imagery Chief. On July 1st 2017, SSgt Godley was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and was assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit where he served as Intelligence Chief and deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In August 2019, GySgt Godley executed orders to Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, VA, where he served as an Imagery Subject Matter Expert, as well as the Project Officer for both Tactical Exploitation Group Remote Workstation (TEG-RWS) and Virtual Imagery Processing system Marine Corps (VIP-MC).
Godley’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars.
In honor of his retirement, he received a letter from President Joe Biden.
David H. Berger, General, United States Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps, wrote: “Many desire to obtain your accomplished goals, but few can compare to you. You have clearly demonstrated the exceptional leadership qualities and professional contributions we seek of our senior marines. We are proud of your successful career.
“As a teacher to young marines, a source of wise counsel, and as an example of those soldierly virtues we so admire, you have made a mark on the corps that will remain long after you have left our active ranks. There are many young marines you have influenced who will carry on in the same fine tradition that has always characterized the United States Marine Corps,” wrote Berger.
Godley was also presented with a shadow box as a token of appreciation from his colleagues which contained a flag and certificate from the Marine Corps. The flag was flown on March 18, at Marine Corps Systems Command in recognition of his 20 years of dedicated and faithful service.
At the end of Godley’s retirement ceremony the narrative “The Watch” was read:
"For 20 years, this marine has stood the watch.
While some of us were in our bunks at night, this marine stood the watch.
While some of us were in school learning our trade, this marine stood the watch.
Yes. Even before some of us were born into this world, this marine stood the watch.
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history, this marine stood the watch.
Many times, he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there needing his guidance and help needing that hand to hold during those hard times, but still, he stood the watch.
He stood the watch for 20 years.
He stood the watch so that we, our families, and our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety each and every night knowing that a marine stood the watch.
Today we are here to say, “Marine... your watch stands relieved, relieved by those you have trained, guided, and led.
Marine you stand relieved. We have the watch...”
