Blogs > Soldier stories

Stories and news from the men and women in the Reporter's coverage area who are currently serving in the military and stories from our veterans.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Local man graduates from Army ROTC

Matthew C. Burke graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
The cadet is a student at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.He is the son of Tracy W. and Dawn M. Burke of Souderton and a 2008 graduate of Souderton Area High School.
The 32 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.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Ambler man commissioned as second lieutenant

James B. Tillett has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after completing the Air Force ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The new lieutenant will serve as a combat systems officer in the Reseve. He is the son of Thomas C. and Lynne D. Tillett of Ambler. Tillett graduated in 2006 from Hatboro-Horsham High School, Horsham.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Area women graduate from Army ROTC leader course

Meagan M. McDonald has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. She is the daughter of James P. and Susan S. McDonald of Lansdale. McDonald is a 2007 graduate of North Penn High School, Towamencin.

Rachel V. Young has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. Young is the daughter of David M. and Kathy M. Young of Blue Bell.

The 32 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.

Man completes basic combat training

Army Pvt. David E. Liebert has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. Liebert is the son of Ed Liebert of Souderton.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier 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.

Local woman graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman Kristen E. Berry graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is the daughter of Tammilyn Linville of Harleysville and Robert Berry of Lansdale. Berry graduated in 2010 from North Penn High School, Towamencin.
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.

Area man completes basic training

Air Force Airman Nico A. Spadafora graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
He is the son of Jennifer Firestone of Perkasie and Elio Spadafora of Sellersville. Spadafora graduated in 2010 from Pennridge High School, Perkasie.
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.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Lansdale man graduates from basic training

Air Force Airman Sevutha Nhek graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.T
He is the son of Borin and Sokhan Nhek of Lansdale. Nhek is a 2007 graduate of North Penn High School, Towamencin.
he 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.

Area man graduates from National Guard training

Army National Guard Spec. Marcus E. Lane has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
He is the son of Thomas and Irmgard Lane of Souderton.The specialist received a bachelor's degree in 2008 from the University of Georgia, Athens.
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

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Area man returns from Iraq

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Albert H. Manwaring IV is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom, respectively. The soldiers return to Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for debriefing, evaluations and out-processing procedures before returning to their regularly assigned Army Reserve or National Guard units. Manwaring, a judge advocate general, is a member of the 354th Combat Aviation Brigade assigned in Riverdale, Md. The reservist has served in the military for 21 years. He is the son of Carolyn Manwaring of Ambler, Pa., and Albert Manwaring III of Coatesville, Pa. The lieutenant colonel graduated in 1980 from Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, and received a bachelor's degree in 1984 from Lehigh University, Bethlehem. He earned a law degree in 1992 from the New England School of Law, Boston, Mass.