Military Matters

Navy Reserve Seaman Apprentice Tynita D. Wise; Navy Seaman Recruit Jillian F. Small, daughter of Beverly and Joseph J. Small of Philadelphia; Navy Seaman Apprentice Desmond S. Peek, son of Veronica D. Gibson of Philadelphia; Navy Seaman Recruit David Le, son of Moon T. Le of Philadelphia; Navy Seaman Sean F. Darby, son of Patricia A. and stepson of William H. Vandergrift of Philadelphia; and Navy Seaman Apprentice Stephen M. Mulligan, son of Ireneann R. Mulligan of Philadelphia and John P. Mulligan of Chalfont, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, they 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 is 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.
Wise is a 2003 graduate of Frankford High School.
Small is a 2003 graduate of St. Hubert High School and a 2007 graduate of Kutztown University.
Peek is a 2005 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School.
Le is a 2007 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School.
Mulligan is a 2007 graduate of Central Bucks South High School.

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Air Force Airman 1st Class Robert W. Kohlenberg II, Air Force Airman Eric M. Scott and Air Force Airman Giovonni A. Montanez 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.
Kohlenberg earned distinction as an honor graduate.
He is the son of Terri and Robert Kohlenberg of Warminster, and grandson of Patricia Griffith of Philadelphia. The airman graduated in 2000 from Central Bucks High School East in Doylestown, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2007 from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark.
Scott is the son of Christopher and Lee Ann Scott and a 2007 graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School.
Montanez is the son of Jose and Angela Colon of Philadelphia.

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Army Reserve Pvt. Timothy G. Collins, Army National Guard Pvt. Melissa Ramos and Army Pvt. Luis M. Vicente 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.
Collins, a 2004 graduate of Northeast High School, is the son of Helen Phraner, of Philadelphia.
Ramos, the daughter of Adela Rodriguez of Philadelphia, is a 2000 graduate of Community Academy of Philadelphia.
Vicente is the son of Wanda Martinez and grandson of Virgenmina Torres, both of Philadelphia. He graduated from Franklin Towne Charter High School in 2003.

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Army Spec. Heidi C. McNeely is currently deployed as a member of Task Force Marne, one of more than 20,000 soldiers from the Fort Stewart, Ga.-based 3rd Infantry Division and elements of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky. The soldier is serving a 15-month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
With more than 53 patrol bases within their area of operation, the task force has made significant strides in enhancing security in the region. Since the arrival of the task force more than a year ago, violence in the region has been reduced by more than 75 percent.
The decrease in violence has allowed the task force to focus on rebuilding efforts, including local governance and economic development, along with medical treatment missions, providing fresh drinking water and working with local security forces and volunteers to provide a broad blanket of stability to the region.
McNeely is a human resources specialist with Headquarters, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart.
She is the daughter of John D. Wiedemann of Mesa, Ariz., and Carrie A. Wiedemann of Philadelphia.
Her husband, John, is the son of Stanton F. and Gaynell C. McNeely of La Place, La. ••