Military News

Local airman arrives for duty
Air Force Airman 1st Class Brion F. Donlan has arrived for duty at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville, N.C.

Donlan, a ground radio communications apprentice, is assigned to the 43rd Communications Squadron.

A 2003 graduate of North Stafford High School, Donlan is the son of Francis J. and Christina H. Donlan of Stafford.

National Guard private graduates training
Army National Guard Pvt. Elleanor C. Sawyer has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.

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

She is the daughter of Laura Keadle of Fredericksburg, and James Sawyer of Boston, Mass. Sawyer is a 2007 graduate of Stafford Senior High School in Stafford County.

Brook Point alumnus graduates from Army ROTC
Wilfred A. Hale III has graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash.

The 32 days of training provide professional training and evaluation for all cadets in aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.

Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve.

Hale is the son of Wilfred A. and Brenda F. Hale of Stafford. He is a 2001 graduate of Brooke Point High School in Stafford County.

Local graduates from infantry training
Army Pvt. Robert-Louis C. Oglesby has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy and military justice. Training also included instruction in physical fitness and first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

Oglesby is the son of Robert and Pamela Oglesby of Timberidge Drive in Fredericksburg. In 2008, the Oglesby graduated from Mountain View High School in Stafford County.

Mountain View graduate finishes basic training
Army Pvt. Marcel P. Sessoms has graduated from basic military training at Ft. Sill, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, organization, core values and military customs and courtesies. Sessoms performed drill and ceremony marches, received physical training, special training, participated in field exercises and learned the importance of teamwork. Additionally, through marksmanship training and rappelling exercises, Sessoms learned new skills and developed the confidence it takes to become a Soldier.

Sessoms, who graduated from Mountain View High School in 2008, is the son of CW3 Reginald Sessoms, U.S. Army, Retired and Paula Sessoms.

Time ticking for award nominations
Jan. 19 is the last day that nominations for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award will be accepted. This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. Fifteen recipients from across the nation will be selected in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C. at the 14th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony on Sept. 17.

The award goes to reward employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military employees. The nominations can be from members of the National Guard and Reserve. In order to nominate an employer or answer questions about the award and its processes, check out FreedomAward.mil or contact Beth Sherman, ESGR Public Affairs, at (703) 380-9717.

— Press releases