Posted 2:10 am Sunday, November 08, 2009
Military News: East Texans Graduate Basic Training
BALKEY
Air Force Airman Michael J. Balkey, son of Jim and Denise Balkey of Flint, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
After graduating at Lackland, he began his technical training in California and will graduate in February.
Balkey is a 2009 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler.
COLLIER
Marine Lance Corporal Seth Alton Collier, son of Alisa A. Collier of Tyler and Buford and Joanie Collier of Gresham, has been deployed to Afghanistan with the second battalion/2nd Division, Marine.
Collier attended many field operations, including a three-week training evolution at Fort Pickett and a 37-day training evolution known as EMV (enhanced Mojave viper) at Twenty-Nine palms, Calif., after which he was promoted to his present rank.
SPECIAL GRADUATES
Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Cameron D. Reese, son of Connie and Robert A. Reese of Canton, graduated from the Aviation Logistics Tactical Information Systems Course with Marine Detachment Naval Support Activity, Athens, Ga.
During the 25-week course, Reese received technical training on computer network information systems operation, installation, maintenance and repair.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn P. Morris, son of Cheryl R. and Jeffery P. Morris of Troup, completed Naval Nuclear Power Training Pipeline.
During the course with Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Morris received instruction about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security. He is a 2007 graduate of Whitehouse High School.
BASIC TRAINING
Navy Seaman Recruit Raquel N. Diaz, daughter of Cheri M. and stepdaughter of John M. Trujillo of Princeton, and granddaughter of Jerry H. Cariker of Flint, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Diaz completed a variety of training exercises, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety.
Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Holton K. Walker, son of April D. and Waylon R. Walker of Whitehouse, graduated form U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.
During the eight-week training program, Walker 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.
Walker is a 2009 graduate of Whitehouse High School.
REENLISTED
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua L. Cox, son of Babara L. Dalton of Gatesville, and Ronnie L. Cox of Palestine, reenlisted for an additional four years of active-duty Naval service and received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, gold star in lieu of fourth award, for his professional achievement and superior performance of his duties while serving as Naval Security Department shift leading petty officer and Department Education Services petty officer, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla.
Cox expertly managed the day-to-day operations and assignments of 35 Naval security force personnel performing anti-terrorism and force protection requirements aboard three Naval installations. Cox is a 1996 graduate of Gatesville High School and joined the Navy in June 2001.
