From the Armed Forces

• Army Pvt. Joshua Alvarado, son of Maggie Alvarado of Rolling Meadows, graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, Alvarado 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.

• Army Pvt. Ryan Parrish, son of Randy and Nancy Parrish of Arlington Heights, graduated from Basic Combat training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

During the nine weeks of training, Parrish studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat and field maneuvers and tactics.

He is a 2002 graduate of Rolling Meadows High School.

• Army National Guard Spec. Brian T. Thrall, son of Gary Thrall of Arlington Heights, 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.

Thrall graduated in 1999 from Buffalo Grove High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2003 from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.