Military News for the week of August 28

BPHS graduate finishes Coast Guard training
Coast Guard Seaman Stephen P. Cooke, son of Linda and Douglous Cooke of Stafford, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.

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

Cooke 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. He will join 36,000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard’s force.

Cooke is a 2008 graduate of Brooke Point High School in Stafford.

Airman graduates air force basic
Air Force Airman Daniel J. Kraft 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.

Kraft is the son of Christine and James Kraft of Stafford, and a 2007 graduate of Mountain View High School.

Local lacrosse player to attend Naval Academy
Brendan Sullivan of Stafford, a senior lacrosse player at The Kiski School, has received an appointment to attend the United States Naval Academy, a Top Ten Division 1 Program.

Sullivan was the captain of the team and played midfield. He scored 49 goals and 15 assists for 64 points.

Resident attending jet pilot training
Marine Corps 1st Lt. Gregory J. Fuhrer, son of Joan and Thomas Fuhrer of Stafford recently reported for Naval Aviator training at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas.

Fuhrer is attending a 13-month undergraduate jet pilot training course that combines basic studies in engineering and navigation. He will be learning the newest technologies and techniques using state of the art visual simulator and the newest training aircraft in the world.

Fuhrer is a 2003 graduate of North Stafford High School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in May 2007. He is a 2007 graduate of United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. with a BS degree.

BPHS graduate completes Navy basic training
Navy Seaman Recruit Ryan B. Talde, son of Haydita B. and Reynaldo B. Talde of Stafford recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Talde completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

Talde is a 2008 graduate of Brooke Point High School in Stafford

MVHS graduate completes Army basic
Army Pvt. Marshall J. Mooney 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 and physical fitness. He e 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 training, as well as instruction in map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises were also studied.

Mooney is the son of Steven Mooney of Lakeview Drive, and a 2008 graduate of Mountain View High School in Stafford

NSHS graduate finishes Army basic
Army Pvt. Jonathon W. Higgins 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 and physical fitness. In addition, he 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 training, as well as instruction in map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises were also studied.

Higgins is a 2006 graduate of North Stafford High School, and the son of Jerry Higgins of Woodlanding Drive in Fredericksburg.

SHS graduate completes Army basic
Army Pvt. Brian J. Kurick 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 and physical fitness. In addition, he 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 training, as well as instruction in map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises were also studied.

He is the son of Lanette Kurick of Sharpsburg Lane, and a 2007 graduate of Stafford Senior High School in Stafford.

CFHS graduate deployed to support Maritime Security Operations
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexandra K. Hopkins-Slayton, a 2007 graduate of Colonial Forge High School in Stafford is, along with more than 2, 500 sailors and Marines from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in Norfolk, and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in Camp Lejeune, N. C., currently deployed to support Maritime Security Operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward Naval presence in the Fifth and Sixth Fleet areas of operation.

Hopkins-Slayton joined the Navy in September 2007.

— Press releases