Military News

Brooke Point High graduate completes Coast Guard training
Coast Guard Seaman Matthew Sers, son of Joseph Sers of Stafford recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.

During the eight-week training program, Sers completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies and seamanship skills. He also studied first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis was also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.

Sers and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values — honor, respect and devotion to duty — and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct.

Sers is a 2003 graduate of Brooke Point High School of Stafford.

Stafford Marine assigned to Afghanistan
Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Tobin, son of Dennis Tobin of Stafford, is currently deployed with fellow Marines and sailors of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Camp Lejeune, N. C. He was assigned as the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The Marines recently graduated 150 Afghan national policemen from an eight-week training program that focuses on security, weapons handling, marksmanship, advanced first aid, non-lethal weapons techniques and human rights.

With the Afghan National Police in the lead, Marines conducted a search of a high-interest village resulting in the discovery of 150 pounds of explosive materials, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive device materials. The Marines also found evidence leading to the identification of suspected insurgents.

A select group of all-female Marines within the SPMAGTF-A are trained specifically to interact with the Afghan female population, a task that is culturally unacceptable for male Marines to perform in the Islamic Republic. The female Marines deliberately donned brightly colored head and neck scarves, respecting the cultural beliefs of the community and enabling them to perform valuable community relations while gathering intelligence during Operation Pathfinder.

Operation Pathfinder required Marines to partner with ANP to target suspected insurgent cells and perform security patrols in southern Afghanistan along Route 515. The Marines discovered numerous caches containing more than 200 pounds of explosives and weapons and detained 11 suspected insurgents.

SPMAGTF-A's mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations with an emphasis on training and mentoring Afghan national police.

Tobin is a 2003 graduate of Osbourn Park High School of Manassas, Va.

Soldier graduates Army training
Army Pvt. Joshua Dozier has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills. In addition, Dozier studied military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship and armed and unarmed combat. He worked on map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

The private is a 2004 graduate of Spotsylvania High School. His wife, Crystal, is the daughter of Theresa Sharpe of Meadow Drive, Fredericksburg.

Stafford Airman graduates training
Air Force Airman William B. Smith graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

The son of William Smith of Tower Hill Road, Stafford, and Ellen Smith of Ruby, Va., Smith is a 2004 graduate of Colonial Forge High School.

Local joins U.S. Air Force
Air National Guard Airman Kevin Booker graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Booker is a 2008 graduate of Colonial Forge High School. He is the son of Kevin and Kelly Booker of Stafford.

Kellogg completes training
Army Pvt. Jeremy Kellogg has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills. Kellogg studied military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship and armed and unarmed combat. He worked on map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

He is the son of Elizabeth Nixon of Stafford and Steven Kellogg of Frederica, Del. The private is a 2007 graduate of Mountain View High School in Stafford.

Local trains to become infantryman
Army Pvt. Joseph L. Baker has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions.

In addition, Baker worked on the development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced the use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

He is the son of Clayton and Barbara Baker of Fredericksburg, and a 2008 graduate of Stafford High School.

— Press releases