From the Armed Forces
From the armed services
• Air Force Airman Kevin J. Vinson 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.
Vinson is the son of Cynthia Vinson of Algonquin. He is a 2006 graduate of Dundee-Crown High School, Carpentersville.
• U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James M. Leonard, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, Weapons Company, who was stationed at Twentynine Palms, Calif., started serving his second tour to Iraq in January.
The 27-year-old South Elgin resident is a sergeant serving as a vehicle commander in Mobile Assault Platoon 3. He was deployed in September for a year of active duty. His first Iraq tour was June 2004 to March 2005. He was deployed to South America in 2002 after joining the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit based in Waukegan in 1999.
The 1998 graduate of Streamwood High School works as a technician for Fox Valley Fire & Safety.
His family includes his wife, Meghan, also of South Elgin, as well as his parents -- Wayne and Marie Leonard of Streamwood; Tom (Kathy) Leonard (deployed to Iraq with 2/24 in January), Hampshire; Craig Leonard, Hampshire; Daniel (Robyn) Leonard, Camp Lejeune, N.C. (currently stationed in Iraq); Michael Leonard, Gilberts; Brian Leonard, Streamwood; and Caryn Leonard, West Dundee.
• Air Force Airman Adam L. Brazionis 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 Peter and Asta Brazionis of North Barrington. Brazionis is a 2003 graduate of Libertyville High School.
• Army Pvt. Nathan J. Brown 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 Terri Brown of Crystal Lake and a 2006 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School, Crystal Lake.
• Army Pvt. Luis Cardona has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions.
Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.
He is the son of Mildred Chapparo of Carpentersville. The private is a 2007 graduate of Barrington High School.
• Marine Corps Sgt. Michael A. Cooley, son of Sandra and Michael Cooley of Carpentersville, recently graduated from the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program Preparatory School located aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.
MECEP is a 9-week course of study and is designed to ensure the successful transition of Marines from the operating forces to the academic environment. The course prepares Marines for college level academic work, focuses on continued professional development and emphasizes extensive physical conditioning to meet the challenges of the Officer Candidate School.
Cooley is a 1998 graduate of Jacobs High School, Algonquin, and joined the Marine Corps in September 2000.
• Army Pvt. Alexander M. Dixon has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Ky.
During the nine-week training period, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions and core values.
He is the son of LeeAnn Dixon of St. Charles. The private is a 2005 graduate of Burlington High School.
• Laura Dorado has graduated from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. The ROTC cadet has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
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.
She is the daughter of Graciela Dorado of Cary. Dorado is a 2002 graduate of William Fremd High School, Palatine.
• Christopher F. Fleming has entered Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., in preparation to enter the first academic year at the academy. The six-week, two-phased orientation program must be successfully completed by the cadets prior to entering their freshman year. The training prepares men and women to meet the rigorous mental and physical challenges experienced by new cadets.
Phase one involves personal in-processing, orientation, and training in the fundamentals of being a cadet.
Cadet trainees are prepared to adjust from civilian to military life and disciplines, and learn proper wear of the uniform, saluting policies and procedures, drill and ceremony, marching, and living quarters standards.
During phase two, cadets train outdoors living in tents while learning to function in field conditions. Cadets apply and practice team work, cohesion and learn to deal with physically and mentally demanding situations. They complete the obstacle, confidence, assault, and leadership reaction courses, and participate in a rescue mission termed Operation Warrior.
He is the son of Thomas and Janet Fleming of Cary.
Fleming is a 2007 graduate of Prairie Ridge High School, Crystal Lake.