Military Matters

Marine Corps Privates Daniel G. Merschen, son of Donna M. and Jerry Merschen of Philadelphia; Idemar Cordero, son of Haydee Romero and Marcial Cordero of Philadelphia; and Efren Colon Jr., son of Maria M. Nunez of Philadelphia, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Merschen, Cordero, Colon and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Cordero 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.
They 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.
They 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.

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Army National Guard Pvt. Rebecca E. Brazzillo and Army Pvt. Anthony J. Brooks 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.
Brazzillo is the daughter of Kimberly Brazzillo of Philadelphia and the niece of Dorothy Schall of Levittown, Pa.
Brooks, the son of Roselyn Starks of Philadelphia, and a 2002 graduate of John Bartram High School.

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Army National Guard Pvt. Damon X. Sandle has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).
During basic training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies, map reading, tactics, basic rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, field training, and first aid skills. The recruit developed combat skills and handled various weapons available to the infantry soldier.
During AIT, the soldier received instruction to serve as an infantryman/mortarman using light and heavy anti-armor weapons, indirect-fire support, and mechanized operations while assigned to a rifle or mortar squad. The training included weapons qualification, tactics, patrolling, navigation, field communications, and combat operations; engagement in infantry combat exercises, battle drills, land mine locating, neutralizing and extracting, and survival operations during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack.
Sandle is the son of Stanley Sandle of Susquehanna, Pa., and the brother of Billy Golphin of Philadelphia.
The private is a 2007 graduate of Blue Ridge High School, New Milford, Pa.

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Navy Reserve Seaman Recruit William Salazar, son
of Stella Cortes and stepson of John Gallego of Philadelphia, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Salazar 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.
Salazar is a 1999 graduate of Edison High School.

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Army National Guard Pvt. Ty M. Coffield and Army Reserve Pvt. Christopher J. Hagen have graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldiers studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
Coffield, the son of Mary Davis of Philadelphia, is a 2007 graduate of Northeast High School.
Hagen is the son of Elizabeth Hagen of Philadelphia. ••