Military Matters for Nov. 5, 2009
Army National Guard Pvt. Thomas F. Ferry has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Ky., which included basic combat training and advanced individual training (AIT). During the first nine weeks of initial entry training (IET), the trainee completed basic combat training which included instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, marches, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions and core values. During AIT, the soldier completed the armor crewman course to receive skill training in conducting tank unit defensive and offensive combat operations. The soldier was trained to operate, service and maintain armor tracked and wheeled vehicles, load and fire tank weapon systems, perform ammunition handling and supply duties, and assist in target detection and identification. He is the son of Peg Montoya of E. Keswick Road, and Tom Ferry Sr. of Johnston Street., both in Philadelphia. Ferry graduated in 2005 from Archbishop Ryan High School. ** Air Force Airmen Heather Liedman, John P. McDermott, Robert T. Johnson and Kyle C. Slemmer have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The airmen 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. Liedman is the daughter of Fred Liedman of Walley Avenue in Philadelphia and Shelley Liedman of Galloway, N.J. McDermott, the son of Lawrence McDermott of Southampton and nephew of Jeanne Black of Radburn Road in Philadelphia, is a 2009 graduate of Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster. Johnson, the son of Jacqueline Touras of Welsh Road in Philadelphia and grandson of Sue Touras of York, Pa., is a 2004 graduate of Swenson High School in Philadelphia. Slemmer, the son of Ann Slemmer of Chippendale Street in Philadelphia and Gary Slemmer of Bensalem, is a 2009 graduate of Bensalem High School. ** Navy Seaman Lance C. Sweeney-Devero, son of Mingtoy N. Devero and Lance Sweeney, both of Philadelphia, recently reported for duty aboard the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, homeported in Charlestown, Mass. Sweeney-Devero, a 2009 graduate of Girard College High School, joined the Navy in July 2009. ** Hong Phuong T. Nguyen has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader's Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky. The four-week course is a leadership internship for cadets that can lead to the ultimate goal of becoming an Army officer. College students experience and examine the Army without incurring an obligation to serve in the Army or ROTC, and are eligible to receive two-year college scholarship offers and attend the Advanced ROTC Course at their college. Cadets are observed and evaluated during classroom and field training exercises to determine their officer potential in leadership abilities and skills. The cadets are trained to have a sound understanding of traditional leadership values during the challenging, motivating "hands-on" training. The training develops well-disciplined, highly motivated, physically conditioned students, and helps improve the cadets' self-confidence, initiative, leadership potential, decision making, and collective team cohesion. The cadets receive training in fundamental military skills, Army values, ethics, Warrior ethos, basic rifle marksmanship, small arms tactics, weapons training, drill and ceremony, communications, combat water survival training, rappelling, land navigation, and squad-level operations field training. A 2007 graduate of Northeast High School, the cadet is a student at Widener University in Chester, Pa. She is the daughter of Dien Q Nguyen and That T. Duong of Arnold Street in Philadelphia. ** Navy Reserve Seamen Dobson Pierre, son of Viola and Ducles Pierre of Philadelphia, and Kevin S. Kaucher, son of Catherine L. and James J. Kaucher of Philadelphia, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Pierre and Kaucher completed a variety of training that 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. Pierre, a 2003 graduate of Saul High School in Philadelphia, is a 2008 graduate of Lincoln University. Kaucher is a 2000 graduate of George Washington High School.



