From the armed forces

• Navy Seaman Apprentice Patrick A. Langston II was recently promoted to his current rank upon graduation from recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes.

Langston received the early promotion for outstanding performance during all phases of the training cycle, 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," which 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.

Langston is a 2007 graduate of Round Lake Senior High School and brother of DeLouis Bays of Round Lake.

• Konstantin V. Izotov has been promoted to the rank of senior airman in the U.S. Air Force. Izotov, a medic with three years of military service, is assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Izotov graduated in 2003 from Lake Zurich High School and received an associate degree in 2006 from the College of Lake County in Grayslake.

• Army Pvt. Michael A. Sims has graduated from the Direct Fire Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.

The training consists of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. During the nine weeks of Basic Combat 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.

The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train indirect fire infantry soldiers to employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate, neutralize and extract mines; perform map reading and ground navigation; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct and camouflage mortar firing positions; and operate and maintain mortars and fire control equipment for individual/crew served weapons firing positions.

Sims is the son of Bob and Pam Sims of Antioch and a 2006 graduate of Antioch Community High School.