Military News - January 20, 2010

Seaman Apprentice

Catherine E. Mock

(FHTNC)—Navy Seaman Apprentice Catherine E. Mock, daughter of Mary Sinnott of Milton, Fla., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.

During the eight-week program, Mock 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.

Mock is a 2007 graduate of Yulee High School of Yulee, FL.

Seaman Christopher J. Meredith

(FHTNC)—Navy Seaman Christopher J. Meredith, a 2005 graduate of Gulf Breeze High School, Gulf Breeze, Fla., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Meredith 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.

Colonel Thomas R. McCarthy, Jr.

(FHTNC)—Marine Corps Col. Thomas R. McCarthy, Jr, whose wife, Jennifer, is the daughter of Gwendolyn L. and Floyd G. Miller of Pace, Fla., recently was promoted to his current rank while serving at U.S. Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii.

McCarthy was promoted based on sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.

Airman Joseph Jordan

Air Force Airman Joseph O. Jordan 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.

He is the son of Sandra Jordan of Lodging Circle, Pace, Fla., and grandson of Vicky Farmer of Farm To Market Road 55, Barry, Texas.

Jordan is a 2007 graduate of Tate High School, Cantonment, Fla.

Airman

Nathan B. Evans

Air Force Airman Nathan B. Evans 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.

He is the son of Tana Tynes of Badger Road, Milton, Fla., and Stephen Evans of Stowe Road, Mary Esther, Fla.

Evans is a 2004 graduate of Pace High School, Florida.

Michelle A. Dubreuil

ROTC Graduate

Michelle A. Dubreuil 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 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.

The cadet is a student at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

She is the daughter of Roland J. Dubreuil of Orion Lake Drive, Navarre, Fla., and Yonyi Curton of Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

The cadet is a 2005 graduate of Navarre High School.

Lt. Cmdr. Alan M. Djock

(FHTNC)—Navy Lt. Cmdr. Alan M. Djock, whose wife, Hayley, is the daughter of Judy and Ronald Cochan of Milton, Fla., and fellow sailors of Patrol Squadron 10 "Red Lancers" (VP-10), Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., recently reached the mid-way point in their six-month deployment to the Navy's Central Command operating from bases in Quatar, Djibouti and Japan.

While deployed, the Lancers have conducted operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to include maritime security operations; anti-submarine warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; routine maritime patrol and anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Halfway into their deployment, the Lancers have accumulated a 99.6 percent sortie completion rate, more than 2, 000 flight hours and more than 300 combat missions.

Additionally, the Lancers aided in the seizure and destruction of 10 tons of narcotics, mostly hash estimated to be worth $70 million, while patrolling the “Hash Highway” in the Gulf of Aden. They also assisted the Seychelles in conducting anti-piracy operations.

The Lancers moved their entire maintenance department to include building structures and maintenance support equipment to a previously undeveloped part of the base. The working parties were held at night to avoid the daytime heat, averaging 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sixteen midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 2010, traveled to Africa as part of the Midshipmen Summer Training Program and visited the Lancers to familiarize themselves with the different warfare specialties available to them after graduation.

Off-duty, members of the Lancers have volunteered their time providing humanitarian aid to local orphanages and competed in several inter-service physical fitness contests, taking the first place trophy in the 2009 Freedom Fitness Festival and the Al Udeid Air Base Commander's Cup.

Airman Stephani Renfrew

Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephani J. Renfrew 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 Stacy Renfrew of Timber Ridge Drive, Pace, Fla.

Renfrew is a 2003 graduate of Pace High School.