From the Armed Forces

• Navy Seaman Recruit Francisco J. Fregoso, son of Yolanda and Francisco Fregoso of Elgin, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

During the eight-week program, Fregoso 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 also was 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.

Fregoso is a 2002 graduate of Elgin High School.

• Navy Seaman Joshua P. Grisolia, son of Claudia R. and Sean P. Grisolia of Hampshire, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

During the eight-week program, Grisolia 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 also was 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.

Grisolia is a 2004 graduate of Hampshire High School.

• Air Force Airman Andrew V. Johnson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

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.

He is the son of Sandy Johnson of Elgin.

Johnson is a 2007 graduate of Larkin High School, Elgin.

• Navy Seaman Recruit Micheale D. Lyon, nephew of Ruth Barkby of Elgin, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

During the eight-week program, Lyon 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 also was 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.

Lyon is a 2007 graduate of Forest Grove High School of Forest Grove, Ore.

• Joshua R. Vanderlip graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

The 33 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.

Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve.

The cadet is a student at the University of Illinois, Champaign. He is the son of Jeffery and Collette Vanderlip of Spring Grove. Vanderlip is a 2003 graduate of Richmond-Burton Community High School, Richmond.

• Air Force Senior Airman Christopher J. Vroman has graduated from the Military Free Fall School for parachutists at Fort Bragg, N.C., and Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., training schools.

The military students are trained in parachute operations used to infiltrate enemy areas under the cover of darkness to avoid detection, conducted at hours of darkness, varying weather conditions and terrain. Trained parachutists land at their objective zone as a combat-ready, tactical unit.

Some free-fall parachute training techniques include high-altitude, low-opening missions performed by exiting aircraft at altitudes up to 35,000 feet, parachutists free fall to about 2,500 feet above ground and deploy their canopies.

The high-altitude, high-opening missions are performed by exiting aircraft at high altitudes and deploying their canopies at high altitudes using highly maneuverable gliding parachute systems to travel distances of more than 31 miles.

Additional training includes body stabilization while flying in a vertical wind tunnel, basic aircraft procedures, altitude physiology, and other ground and airborne operations training.

Airman Vroman also has completed two other combat school courses, the Combat Dive Course conducted at a training station in Pensacola, Fla. The six-week course is designed to provide commander's with competent and safe divers/swimmers capable of meeting worldwide personnel recovery and special operations waterborne mission tasks.

The Combat Controller Course, conducted at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., is designed to train and qualify enlisted and officer candidates as combat air controllers.

Combat controllers are among the first groups to deploy during a U.S. military special operation or airlift mission. Students are trained to operate under the most difficult and hostile conditions and survey and secure air drop or landing zones; set up communications and function as air traffic controllers to safely guide military aircraft into and out of a landing area.

Vroman, a combat controller, is assigned to the 720th Operations Support Squadron/Advanced Skills Training at Hurlburt Field, Mary Esther, Fla. The training is for newly assigned combat controller operators, which specifically produces mission-ready operators for the Air Force and U.S. Special Forces Operations Command. The senior airman has served in the military two years.

He is the son of Fred and Barbra Ann Vroman of Wonder Lake. The airman is a 2001 graduate of McHenry High School West Campus.

• Army Pvt. Scott T. Winchester has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

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.

He is the son of Clifford Winchester of McHenry. Winchester is a 2001 graduate of Streamwood High School.