Military Matters

Navy Seaman Apprentice Joseph T. Curichiyil, a 2004 graduate of George Washington High School; Navy Seaman Recruit Bilalh O. Kenyatta, a 2001 graduate of Jules E. Mastbaum Area Vocational Technical High School; and Navy Seaman Samuel B. Berger, 2001 graduate of Northeast High School, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Curichiyil, Kenyatta and Berger 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," an exercise that gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. It 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.

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Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Ivelisse Vasquez and Air Force Airman Megan E. Hrosovsky have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airmen 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.
Vasquez, a 2005 graduate of Edison Fareira High School, is the daughter of Wanda I. Vasquez and Pedro J. Vasquez, both of Philadelphia.
Hrosovsky, the granddaughter of Robert Gaczhias of Philadelphia, is a 2000 graduate of St. Hubert Catholic High School.

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Daniel R. Garrison recently graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader’s Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky.
The 28-day course is a leadership internship for cadets who are normally between their sophomore and junior college years. College students experience and examine the Army without incurring an obligation to serve in the Army or ROTC, and are eligible to receive two-year college scholarship offers and attend the ROTC Advanced Course at their college.
The Army observes and evaluates cadets to determine their officer potential in leadership abilities and skills. The cadets are trained to have a sound understanding of traditional leadership values during the challenging, motivating "hands-on" training. The training develops well-disciplined, highly motivated, physically conditioned students, and helps improve the cadets’ self-confidence, initiative, leadership potential, decision making, and collective team cohesion. The cadets receive training in fundamental military skills, rifle marksmanship, small arms tactics, weapons training, drill and ceremonies, communications, and squad-level operations field training.
The cadet, a student at Duke University, Durham, N.C., is the son of Robert J. Garrison of Philadelphia and Debra K. Cushine of Langhorne.
Garrison is a 2005 graduate of Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Bensalem.

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Army National Guard Pvt. Victor M. Lopez III and Army Pvt. Anthony M. Bartley have graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldiers studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, 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.
Lopez, the son of Frances Lopez of Philadelphia, is a 1996 graduate of Delaware Valley High School.
Bartley, the son of Ann Bartley of Philadelphia, is a 1983 graduate of Olney High School, Philadelphia.

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Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Thomas W. Whear Jr., son
of Lisa Whear of Philadelphia, recently graduated from the Bulk Fuel Specialist Course and was promoted to his current rank.
During the course at the U.S. Army Quarter Master School, Fort Lee, Va., students receive instruction on the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of fuel handling units and accessory equipment.
Students also test petroleum products to evaluate the quality used in amphibious assault fuel handling systems.
Whear, a 2003 graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School, joined the Marine Corps Reserve in January 2007. ••