From the armed services

•Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Brett Liggett, son of Laura J. Kohlmann of North Aurora, and Jeff L. Liggett of Jupiter, Fla., recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N. J. During the eight-week training program, Liggett 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. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.

Liggett 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. Liggett will join 36,000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard's force.

Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world. To reinforce the team concept, Liggett, and other 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.

Liggett is a 2004 graduate of Wheaton Warrenville High School South of Wheaton.

• Air Force Airman Michael J. Muschong 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.

Muschong earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Joseph Muschong of Batavia, and Deborah Sutich of Roselle. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Lake Park High School, Roselle.

• Air Force Master Sgt. Walter M. O'Brien has retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years of faithful military service.

Before retiring, O'Brien served as the network information assurance manager assigned to the Air Force Communications Agency, Scott Air Force Base, Belleville. He is the son of Walter J. and Beverly J. O'Brien of Downers Grove. His wife, Gayle, is the daughter of June Oldenburg of Geneva, and the late Robert Oldenburg.

The sergeant graduated in 1979 from Downers Grove Community High School South, and earned an associate degree in 1989 from the Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala. He received a bachelor's degree in 1995 from Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas.

• Army National Guard Pfc. Justin D. Holland is currently deployed overseas at a 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.

Holland, a signal support systems specialist with more than one year of military service, is assigned to the 996th Area Support Medical Company, Tempe, Ariz. He is the son of Kevin W. Holland of Fort Myers, Fla., and Diana M. Holland of Geneva.

• Army National Guard Pvt. De Jionette Rodriguez 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.

She is the daughter of Veronica Camacho of Algonquin. Rodriguez is a 2007 graduate of Huntley High School.

• Army Pvt. Matthew A. Castner has graduated from One Station Unit Training at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training.

During basic training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies, map reading, tactics, basic rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, field training, and first aid skills. The recruit developed combat skills and handled various weapons available to the infantry soldier.

During AIT, the soldier received instruction to serve as an infantryman/mortar man using light and heavy anti-armor weapons, indirect-fire support, and mechanized operations while assigned to a rifle or mortar squad.

The training included weapons qualification, tactics, patrolling, navigation, field communications, and combat operations; engagement in infantry combat exercises, battle drills, land mine locating, neutralizing and extracting, and survival operations during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack.

Castner's mother, Kristien Castner, resides in Geneva. In 2007, the private graduated from Geneva High School.