Achievers

Air Force Airman Cade D. Jackson and Air National Guard Airman Joseph A. Voorhies 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.

Jackson, a graduate of the Lighthouse Christian Academy, is the son of Jeff and Carla Jackson of Athens.

Voorhies is the son of Joseph Voorhies of Tyler. He is a 2004 graduate of Whitehouse High School.

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Army Pvt. Chad A. Morphis, Army Pvt. Christopher S. Peaden and Sgt. Christopher K. Bailey, 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.

Morphis, a graduate of Lindale High school, is the son of Holly McFarland and Hank Morphis. He is the grandson of Jimmy and Peggy Allen and Charles and Ernestine Morphis.

Peaden, son of Tanya Odom of Tyler, is a 2008 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School

Bailey, son of Ron Bailey of Troup, received his bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the University of Texas at Tyler.

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Army Pvt. Shawn E. Gore has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

He is the son of Debra Gore of Jacksonville. He is a 2007 graduate of New Summerfield High School.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier 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.

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Army Pvt. Brian C. Jones has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.

He is the son of Darrell and Tammy Jones of Gladewater.

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Army Reserve Capt. Matthew N. Metzel has returned to the 535th Military Police Company, Garner, N.C. after being deployed to an overseas forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Metzel is a military police officer with 15 years of military service.

He is the son of Karen E. Metzel of Winnsboro.

The captain received a bachelor’s degree in 1992 from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville. He earned a master’s degree in 2004 from the University of Phoenix, Colorado Springs, Colo.

The USS Maddox Destroyer Association (DD-168, DD-622, & DD731) Sept. 3-7, Oklahoma City. Contact Cliff Gillespie, 2118 Hines Road, Jennings, La., 70546, 337-616-8450 or e-mail: cwgilles45@oal.com.

Sept. 17-21, 2008, USS Hollister Destroyer Reunion (DD-788), Branson, Mo. Contact Mrs. Nelda Rupp, 15440 SE Hartnell Ave., Portland, Ore., 97267 or call 503-656-4949 or e-mail: hnrupp@comcast.net.

Military news about East Texans is published each Sunday. Deadline is noon Thursday.