From the armed forces

• Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Brandon Bocian, son of Gloria Bertossi and Bruce Bocian, both of Lake in the Hills, recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned to his current rank in the U.S. Marine Corps.

As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Bocian completed a four-year, total-immersion program where a strong, balanced academic program focused on the educational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed on a strict, professional military training environment emphasizing the development of leadership skills.

Bocian is a 2005 graduate of Huntley High School.

• Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Patrick L. Dorsch, son of Dana and Anthony Dorsch of St. Charles, recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned to his current rank in the U.S. Marine Corps.

As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Dorsch completed a four-year, total-immersion program where a strong, balanced academic program focused on the educational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed on a strict, professional military training environment emphasizing the development of leadership skills.

Dorsch is a 2005 graduate of St. Francis High School of Wheaton, and joined the Marine Corps in June 2005.

• Army Pvt. Cory J. Elledge 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 Beth Elledge of Wisconsin Dells, Wis., and the grandson of Jim and Alice Pertell of South Elgin.

• Navy Seaman Apprentice Brandon J. Gehringer, son of Sheri J. and David A. Stadie of Hampshire, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. During the eight-week program, Gehringer 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." 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.

Gehringer is a 2008 graduate of Hampshire High School.

• Army Pvt. Stephanie A. Jeskie 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 Larry and Dolores Jeskie of Geneva. The private is a 2005 graduate of Geneva High School.

• Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Frank D. Ortman 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. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Ortman earned distinction as an honor graduate.

He is the son of David Ortman of St. Charles and grandson of Donna Wager Fairborn, Ohio.

Ortman is a 2006 graduate of Wayne High School, Huber Heights, Ohio.

• Army National Guard Pfc. Sean T. Quinn has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. During the nine weeks of 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.

He is the son of Gail Quinn of Sugar Grove and brother of Callie Matheny of Aurora. Quinn is a 2003 graduate of Aurora Central Catholic High School.

• Navy Ensign Ashley M. Skahan, daughter of Patricia E. Weekly of Bennington, Neb. and Edward F. Skahan of Batavia, recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned to her current rank in the U.S. Navy. As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Skahan completed a four-year, total-immersion program where a strong, balanced academic program focused on the educational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed on a strict, professional military training environment emphasizing the development of leadership skills.

Skahan is a 2004 graduate of Duchesne Academy Of The Sacred Heart of Omaha, Neb. and joined the Navy in July 2005.

• Army National Guard Pvt. Matthew J. Snodgrass 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 and 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 Mark and Cindy Snodgrass of Cary. His grandparents, Charles and Carrol Vesilets, reside in Arlington Heights. Snodgrass is a 2000 graduate of Cary-Grove Community High School.

• Navy Ensign William C. Strobel, son of Debra A. and William C. Strobel of Elburn, recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned to his current rank in the U.S. Navy.

As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Strobel completed a four-year, total-immersion program where a strong, balanced academic program focused on the educational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed on a strict, professional military training environment emphasizing the development of leadership skills.

Strobel is a 2005 graduate of Aurora Central Catholic High School and joined the Navy in June 2005.

• Air Force Airman Holden D. Taylor 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. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Wendy Santucci of St. Charles. Taylor is a 2007 graduate of St. Charles East High School.

• Air Force Airman Nicholas J. Theiss 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. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of John and Beth Theiss of Cary. Theiss is a 2008 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School, Crystal Lake.

• Navy Ensign Erich R. Wallis, son of Brigitte C. P. and James B. Wallis of Batavia, recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and was commissioned to his current rank in the U.S. Navy. As a graduate of the Naval Academy, Wallis completed a four-year, total-immersion program where a strong, balanced academic program focused on the educational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps, is superimposed on a strict, professional military training environment emphasizing the development of leadership skills.

Wallis is a 2005 graduate of Batavia High School.