Jim Csogi graduated from Lawrence High School in 1985 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps delayed entry program his junior year, and reported to Parris Island, SC in November 1985. Upon graduating from recruit training in February, 1986, he reported to Motor Transport Mechanics course at Marine Corps Combat Service Support School, Camp Johnson, NC.
Upon completion of the Mechanics Course in July 1986 he was meritoriously promoted to LCpl and reported to Marine Wing Support Squadron 272. While here he was active in the community and instrumental in establishing the 1st ever boys’ Soccer team at Richlands High School, Richlands North Carolina. He along with 2 other Marines would become the first coaches for the High School. During this tour, he was deployed to Ocean Venture in 87 and in 1988 was Selected to the All-Marine Corps Soccer Team. He played with this team for the next 2 years along with 17 other Marines.
In September 1988 was transferred to 3rd Landing Support Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. While there he deployed To Korea for Team Spirit and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. Cpl Csogi transferred in 1990 to Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 MCAS Cherry Point, NC where he was Deployed on the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) in support Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. Cpl Csogi returned in April 1991 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In November of 1992 he accepted an assignment in Honolulu, Hawaii with the Inspector-Instructor Staff 4th Force Reconnaissance Co. While here he trained & worked with Seal Team 6 on various deployments and attended the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school in Coronado, CA. & Military Jump School located at Ft Benning, Ga.
In 1995 Sgt Csogi was transferred back to the East Coast and once again was stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. He again pursued his passion for soccer and became the Asst Men’s & Girls coach with Richland’s High School. The following year was asked to become the Head Coach for the Girls team and would go on to be selected Woman’s Soccer Coach of the Year for Eastern NC Central 2A. While here he maintained a Winning record for the 4 years. In 2000 & 2001 those girls went on to win the Central 2A State Championship for Girls Soccer and the First HS Girls Team East of I-95 to do so. In 1997 Jim was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion as the Motor Transport Chief in support of the relief efforts in Bosnia.
In 2000 SSgt Csogi transferred to the I&I Staff 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines West Trenton, NJ. While here he Became involved in the community and other activities. He was also hired as the Asst Men’s Soccer Coach for Brookdale Community College.
In 2003 SSgt Csogi was transferred back to Camp Lejeune for duty with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He checked into the unit at 0800 and was on the USS Battan at 1500 that same day Deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom.
In January 2004, SSgt Csogi transferred to his final duty station and was assigned as the Motor Transport Maintenance Officer with the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion. Jim retired from the United States Marine Corps in November 2005 after 21 years of Honorable & Faithful Service to his Country.
Jim Csogi’s personal awards and medals include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, The Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star, Presidential Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal with Silver Star, National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Saudi Arabia’s Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait and the Navy Marine Corps Parachutist Gold Wings.
Jim Csogi is currently employed by both the Mercer County Sherriff’s Dept as a Guard & the PGA and works at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, NJ. Jim is also the VGA New Jersey & New York State Director
& 2017 Wounded Vet C Flight National Champion. Jim lives in Hamilton Twp, NJ and has 3 beautiful daughters Kaitlyn 31 of Matawan, NJ, Courtney 30 of Point Pleasant, NJ and Kelly 25 of Colts Neck, NJ.
