Adonis J. Brown

Air Force Airman Adonis J. Brown has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of James W. Brown of Cameron.

Rebecca K. Christie

Air Force Airman Rebecca K. Christie has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

She is the daughter of Catherine Locklear of Southern Pines. The airman graduated in the year 2000 from Pinecrest High School.

Jon T. Deeb

Navy Seaman Recruit Jon T. Deeb, son of Sheila F. and Edward M. Deeb of Pinehurst, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., followed by 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.

During the eight-week program, Deeb completed a variety of training which 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. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly “Navy” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.

During The Marine Corps Recruit training, Deeb and fellow recruits began at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Deeb spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.

Deeb and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values — honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. Deeb and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.

Deeb is a 1997 graduate of Pinecrest High School of Southern Pines.

Brian D. Grimsley

Army 2nd Lt. Brian D. Grimsley has graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

The four-month course is designed to instruct new lieutenants in leadership, tactical skills, and combat-related skills and tasks which concentrate on practical battlefield training. The students learned by performing and demonstrating proficiency in practical, external evaluation, and field tactical exercises. Graduates qualify as both mechanized and light infantry platoon leaders.

He is the son of Donald L. and Teresa A. Grimsley of Carthage. The lieutenant graduated in 2001 from Union Pines High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2005 from Appalachian State University.

Sterling H. Henson

Sterling H. Henson has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.

The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station. The recruit qualifies for a $3,000 enlistment bonus.

Henson, a 2002 graduate of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, will report to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., for active duty on Feb. 2. He is the son of Priscilla S. Burton of Cameron.

Heather M. Hess

Navy Ensign Heather M. Hess, a 2001 graduate of Pinecrest High School, recently received her commission as a naval officer after completing Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Officer Training Command, Pensacola, Fla.

During the 13-week-long training program, Hess received extensive instruction on a variety of specialized subjects including navigation, ship handling, engineering, naval warfare and management. Hess also completed a demanding daily physical fitness program that involved running, swimming and calisthenics.

In addition, Hess and fellow OCS graduates received leadership training and instruction on the importance of the Navy’s core values — honor, courage and commitment; and how their meaning impacts the personal and professional conduct of the men and women serving in the Navy around the world.

Christopher L. King

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher L. King, son of Cleveland L. King of Southern Pines, conducted strikes on a known Improvised Explosive Device (IED) production facility northeast of Baghdad during a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

IEDs have been a threat to coalition ground forces since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Since their arrival, Roosevelt-based aircraft have provided close air support to coalition troops in the vicinities of Al Hillah, Al Mansuriyah, Baquba, Basrah, Kirkuk, Madain, Mosul and Tall Afar. They will continue to escort convoys, patrol oil pipelines and protect new construction.

King’s unit is operating in the Persian Gulf in support of maritime security operations.

Tommy J. Richardson

Army Spec. Tommy J. Richardson II has graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo.

During training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, rifle marksmanship, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.

Richardson is the son of Tommy Richardson of Carthage and Vickie Edwards of Swann Station Road, Sanford.

Travis J. Van Winkle

Coast Guard Seaman Travis J. Van Winkle, son of Trudy A. Guyton and stepson of Steve Guyton of Southern Pines, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J.

During the eight-week training program, Van Winkle completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship.

Van Winkle 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.

Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Van Winkle, and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management.