From the Armed Forces

• Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam E. Netzel, son of Rebecca Netzel of Palatine, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, Netzel 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.

Netzel graduated in 2002 from Palatine High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 2006 from Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais.

• Air Force Airman Filipp Degtjarjov, son of Sergei Degtjarjov of Schaumburg, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Degtjarjov earned distinction as an honor graduate.

During the six weeks of training, the airman 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.

• Air Force Airman 1st Class Melisha N. Siguenza, a 2007 graduate of Southern High School, Santa Rita, Guam, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, she 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.

Siguenza is the daughter of Joleen Siguenza of Hanover Park, and niece of Dora Jean Siguenza, Hagatna, Guam.

• Air Force Airman Adam L. Brazionis, son of Peter and Asta Brazionis of North Barrington, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, he 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.

Brazionis is a 2003 graduate of Libertyville High School.

• Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Brandon A. Hill-Crawford, a 1999 graduate of Hoffman Estates High School, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.

During the eight-week training program, he completed a 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. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.

Hill-Crawford and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values -- honor, respect and devotion to duty -- and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct.

He joins 36,000 men and women who comprise the Coast Guard's force. Men and women train together just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, the recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management.

• Navy Reserve Seaman Apprentice Kevin R. Esmail, son of Veronica A. and Robert L. Esmail of Bartlett, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training and was meritoriously promoted to his current rank at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

During the eight-week program, Esmail 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. "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.

Esmail is a 2007 graduate of Bartlett High School.