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, June 20, 2011

Area man completes Navy basic traning

Navy Seaman Andrew M. Sipp, brother of Jamie L. Sipp of Lansdale, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Sipp 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.
Sipp is a 2005 graduate of North Penn High School.

Area man recently commissioned

Navy Ensign Eric P. Leis, son of Beth and Paul Leis of Worcester, was recently commissioned upon graduation from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program with Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.
During college, Leis completed naval science courses and academic courses that fulfilled degree requirements. These courses, combined with annual summer training aboard ships and shore installation, served to prepare NROTC graduates for the intellectual, mental and physical challenges of a commissioned officer.
Leis is a 2007 graduate of St. Joseph's Preparatory School of Philadelphia He is a 2011 graduate of University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind. with a BS degree.

Area woman mobilized, prepares for deployment

Army Reserve Capt. Angela T. Steel has been mobilized and activated at Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in support of either Operation New Dawn in the Iraqi Theater of Operations or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Southwest Theater of Operations. The soldier is a member of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, at Fort George G. Meade, Laurel, Md.
The soldiers are normally activated from Army Reserve or Army National Guard units from throughout the U.S. They go through a series of in-processing procedures and training classes that prepare them for skills and situations they may face in their deployed environment.
Operation New Dawn transitions and signifies a formal end to U.S. military combat operations in Iraq. The transition shifts the U.S. emphasis from predominantly military to predominately civilian as the U.S. officials assist Iraqis in accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement. The three primary missions of U.S. Forces include advising, assisting, and training the Iraqi Security Forces; conducting partnered counterterrorism operations; and providing support to provincial reconstruction teams and civilian partners as they help build Iraq's civil capacity.
Operation Enduring Freedom is the official names given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South and Southwest Asia, Iraq, the Arabian peninsula, islands in the Pacific, and Europe.
Steel will be serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The captain is a public health nurse with six years of military service.
She is the daughter of William and Marybeth Steel of Harleysville.
In 2000, Steel graduated from Souderton Area High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 2005 from Pennsylvania State University, State College.

Area man completes combat training

Army Pfc. Christopher M. Hurley 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 Andrew Hurley of Blue Bell.
Hurley graduated in 2004 from Souderton Area High Scholo.

Area woman completes basic traning

Air Force Airman 1st Class Lesley A. Kriebel graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
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.
She is the daughter of Monica Kriebel of Lansdale.
Kriebel graduated in 2005 from North Penn High School.