Military briefs
The following local residents have joined the U.S. Army Reserve under the Delayed Training Program: – Brandon M. Williams, a 2002 graduate of Brownsville Area High School, who has reported for basic training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is the son of Brenda M. Williams and Larry M. Williams, both of Allison.
– Dawn Artice, who has reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., for basic training. She is the daughter of Suzanne and Ed Artice of Scottdale R.D. 1.
The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay reporting for basic military training for up to 270 days. An enlistment in the Reserve gives many new soldiers the option to learn a new skill, serve their country and become eligible to receive more than $7,000 toward a college education, $20,000 for repayment of college loans and a maximum $5,000 cash bonus.
After completion of basic military training, most soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty before being assigned to their first permanent duty station.
The following local residents have joined the U.S. Army under the Delayed Entry Program, which gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.
– Terry L. Miller, a 2000 graduate of Laurel Highlands High School, who has reported for basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. His parents are Terry L. and Pamela A. Miller of Sylvanus Avenue, Uniontown.
– Adam J. Keefer, a 2002 graduate of Turkeyfoot Valley Junior Senior High School, who has reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo. for basic training. He is the son of Ronald L. and Christine J. Keefer of Chalk Hill.
– Stephen J. Kilgore, a 2002 graduate of Uniontown Area High School, who has reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., for basic training. He is the son of Rachelle I. and Timothy R. Kilgore of Kirby Street, Uniontown.
– Brian M. Palermo, a 2000 graduate of Laurel Highlands Senior High School, Uniontown, who has reported to Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla., for basic training. He is the son of Donna M. and Edward A. Palermo of 57 Ruble Drive, Uniontown.
– Tyrone T. Fairfax, a 1999 graduate of Uniontown Area Senior High School, who has reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo., for basic training. He is the son of Deborah A. Davis of 47 Chaffee St., Uniontown.
– Dennis R. Zellers, a 2002 graduate of Brownsville High School, who has reported to Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., for basic training. He is the son of Dennis R. and Phyllis D. Zellers of Riverside Drive, LaBelle.
The enlistment gives each new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty before being assigned to their first permanent duty station.
Department of the Army Civilian Joan M. Deem has graduated from the sustaining base leadership and management program at the Army Management Staff College, Fort Belvoir, Fairfax, Va.
The 12-week course is designed to give potential military and civilian leaders the tools needed to assume top-level management and leadership positions in the Army.
The students are instructed in functional relationships, philosophies, and systems relevant to the sustaining base environment.
They are provided with graduate-level, advanced, professional development with instruction in leadership, management, decision-making, resource management, and acquisition and logistics. Classes stress critical thinking and active learning, intensive self-preparation and in-depth analysis of various problems and situations.
Deem is a budget analyst assigned to U.S. Army Europe, 7th Army in Heidelberg, Germany.
She is the daughter of Wayne E. and Mary J. Deem of Fairmont, W.Va., and sister of Susan Harris Lehman of Smithfield.
Deem graduated in 1980 from Lincoln High School, Shinnston, W.Va., and received a bachelor’s degree in 1984 from Fairmont State College. In 1985, she earned a master’s degree from West Virginia University.
Army Pvt. Salvatore Ross has graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo.
During training, he received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, rifle marksmanship, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history, core values and traditions.
The nephew of Elizabeth Ross of Dunbar, he is a 2001 graduate of Connellsville Area High School.
Army 1st Lt. Jessie R. Moser has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal, awarded to soldiers who have served in any capacity in a non-combat area authorized by the Secretary of the Army. The recipients must have distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement while acting on behalf of the Army.
Moser is an executive officer assigned to Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, N.C., and has three years of military service.
The son of William and Karen A. Moser of Smithfield, he is a 1995 graduate of Geibel High School and a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
Army Reserve Pvt. Quincy R. Stokes has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, Stokes studied the Army mission and received instruction and practice in drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, physical fitness, basic first aid, Army history traditions and core values, and special training in human relations.
The son of Pamela Stokes of Uniontown, Stokes graduated in 1996 from Uniontown Area High School and received an associate degree in 1998 from ICM School of Business, Pittsburgh.
Midshipman Jeffrey S. Nicholson of Dunbar is serving as a battalion logistics officer at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
In this student officer position, Nicholson is responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance of facilities and distribution of supplies within the academy’s first battalion of more than 300 midshipmen.
As part of the academy’s training program, senior students are given assignments as midshipman officers to provide them with experience in leadership, responsibility and human relations.
A graduate of Connellsville Senior High School, Nicholson is a logistics and intermodal transportation major at the academy. He will graduate from the federal maritime college in June with a bachelor of science degree, a merchant marine license and a U.S. Naval Reserve commission.
He was nominated to the academy by U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha.
The academy, which trains officers for America’s merchant marine and leaders for the maritime and transportation industries, is operated by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Zachary M. Lewis has received a three-year Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to attend Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va. The mission of ROTC is to provide future officers with leadership qualities needed in the regular Army and the Reserve components.
Lewis will study military science and management development and experience adventure training while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship will pay most of Lewis’ college tuition, on-campus educational fees, and provide a flat rate for textbooks, supplies and equipment.
After graduation, he will be required to serve for eight years either on active duty and/or in the Army National Guard or Reserve.
The son of Gary M. and Cheryl Lewis of Cherry Street, Roscoe, Lewis is a 2001 graduate of California Area High School and is pursuing a degree in international studies.
Air Force Airman Nathaniel J. Phillips has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, Phillips studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies, performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Phillips is the son of Debra Mooney of Wallace Road, South Park, and Brian Andrews of Noble Road, Brownsville. He is a 2002 graduate of South Park High School.
Lawrence R. Papini Jr. has been promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army.
Papini was previously assigned as the director of academic outreach for the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, and is now on an assignment in Albania.
The son of Jessie and Larry Papini of Roscoe graduated in 1974 from California Area High School and received a bachelor’s degree in 1978 from the Citadel Military
College of South Carolina, Charleston.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Lisa M. Hilling, daughter of Johnita C. Hilling-White of Hibbs, recently reported for duty aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, home-ported in Norfolk, Va.
Hilling is a 1997 graduate of Uniontown Area High School and joined the Navy in May 1998.
Army 1st Sgt. Leonard C. Kuhlenschmidt has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal.
The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who distinguish themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States in non-combat situations.
Kuhlenschmidt is an armor senior sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor at Camp Casey, Tongduchon-Up, South Korea.
He is the son of Jill S. Day of Day Hill Road, Prosperity, and Leonard C. Kuhlenschmidt of Lynn Drive, North Royalton, Ohio.
His wife, Susan, is the daughter of Harriet Peters of Stockdale.
The sergeant graduated in 1982 from North Royalton High School and received an associate degree in 1997 from Central Texas College, through the military program at Fort Knox, Ky.
Navy Lt. Robert K. Keiser, whose wife, Michelle, is the daughter of Ruth A. Fullem of Stahlstown and Robert E. Fullem of Connellsville, recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for four years of outstanding performance at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif.
While serving as a supervisor, Keiser managed construction, service and repair contracts worth more than $115 million, which improved quality of life and work for all base personnel.
He also led projects that upgraded all runways, taxiways, fuel and weapons facilities and every housing unit on base. His efforts led to 100 percent of construction goals being met for four consecutive years.
Keiser is assigned to Naval Security Group Activity, Fort George G. Meade, Md.