Joseph Andrews, son of Don and Julie Andrews of Morgan Hill, is in the Marine Corp currently deployed with ESG1 on the USS Pelican with the 13 MEU. He is an aviation ordinance tech. ESG1 has participated in humanitarianism services in Africa, supports Iraqi freedom, is against terrorism and drug busts in the Persian Gulf. He is a 2001 graduate of Live Oak High School.
Navy Seaman Recruit Mathew A. Melert, son of Caroline and John A. Melert of San Jose, Calif., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Melert completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, 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 key skills and confidence they need to graduate and take to the fleet. “Battle Stations” has been 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.
Melert is a 2003 graduate of Live Oak High School.
Marine Corps Pvt. Michael R. Gracia, son of Martha Jaynes of Morgan Hill and Michael Gracia of Morgan Hill, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Gracia and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a. m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Gracia spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Gracia and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values -honor, courage and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.
Gracia and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as Marines for the first time in their careers. Gracia is a 2003 graduate of Central High School.
Air Force Senior Airman Alexander W. Stone has graduated from the Airman Leadership School. The five-week course trains airmen to understand their positions in the Air Force organizational structure, leadership and communications skills, profession of arms, and the need for professional development to be effective noncommissioned officers.
The course is designed to prepare and better equip senior airmen to serve as supervisors, managers and rating officials as they progress in their enlisted military careers. The school is the first of three levels of professional military education programs used to develop and cultivate leadership and supervisory skills, and is a required course for airmen to complete prior to being promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
The senior airman, an airborne surveillance technician with four years of military service, is assigned to the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla.
He is the son of Arlen Stone of Morgan Hill.