The commencement ceremonies will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland at 10 a.m.
Because many of the Academy’s students participate in the Young Marines program, the entire student body requested a representative from the U.S. Marine Corps to speak at commencement this year.
Gen. Busby’s personal connections to the Chattanooga area, and his heart for both the Young Marines program and students with learning differences, make him the ideal speaker for these exercises.
Busby enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1979, and graduated from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego that year. He was soon selected for Officer Candidates School through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Program, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant after completing Officer Candidates School in 1980.
He then reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., where he began flight school. He received his wings in 1983. General Busby has flown the A-4 Skyhawk as well as the C-310 Hercules. He served as commanding officer of the Raiders, VMGR-352, in Miramar, Calif., where he was honored as the Marine Corps Aviator of the Year in 2002. He later transferred to the 1st Marine Air Wing, where he served as the commanding officer of Marine Air Group 36.
Busby completed his top level school at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., and spent a year as a defense fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. He has served in the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, in the office of the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Aviation, and now serves as the director of the Joint Capabilities Assessment and Integration Directorate. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, and the Navy Commendation Medal.
General Busby is married to Cindy Busby and has two children, Sean and Kallie.
Bachman Academy is a day and boarding school for students with learning differences, specializing in dyslexia and AD/HD.
