Army Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph L. Legra has returned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., after being deployed to Iraq serving in support of Operation New Dawn. Legra, the command sergeant major with the 275th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fort Lee, has served 27 years in the military. He is a resident of Ashby Lane, Alexandria.
Air Force Capt. Jason R. Jarecke has arrived for duty at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He is the son of Linda Dewey of Woodland Hills Drive, Eagle, Neb., and Robert Jarecke of Ambassador Way, Alexandria. Jarecke graduated in 1988 from Pius X High School, Lincoln, Neb., and received a bachelor of arts in 1992 from St. Johns University, Collegeville, Minn. He also earned a master of arts in 2005 from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Air Force Airman Cedrica A. Edwards graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Edwards is the daughter of Concetra Chase of Ponhill Drive, Woodbridge, and granddaughter of Deloris Chase of Jackies Lane, Alexandria. She is a 2011 graduate of Forest Park Senior High School, Woodbridge.
Marine Corps Pfc. Trevion J. Bowers, son of Rebecca Bowers of Hawthorne, Nev., and Allan Burrell, of Alexandria, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert H. Dougherty, son of Holly H. Dougherty of Alexandria, and Stephen A. Dougherty, of Alexandria, is currently deployed. Dougherty, along with fellow Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), hosted a material, maintenance and management assist (3MA) team, as they evaluated the ship's 3M program.
The 3MA team consists of senior enlisted members ranging from chief petty officers to master chief petty officers from Commander, Naval Air Force's 3M training department. They are responsible for assessing Enterprise's 3M program and training Sailors to be more successful at 3M.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian P. Krivonak, son of Leanne Krivonak of Alexandria, is currently deployed. Krivonak along with fellow Sailors and Marines deployed aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) are taking full advantage of the Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program offered on board the ship.
Marine Corps Pvt. Thomas E. Weyrich, son of Linda and John A. Weyrich of Alexandria, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert H. Dougherty, son of Holly H. Dougherty of Alexandria, and Stephen A. Dougherty, of Alexandria, is currently deployed. Dougherty along with fellow Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are conducting training and promoting the Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign throughout the month of April.
Marine Corps Pfc. Joshua W. Nickson, son of Master Sgt. Herman Wayne Nickson of Alexandria, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Marine Corps Pfc. Eli Maldonado, a 2005 graduate of Thomas Edison High School, Alexandria, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Navy Seaman Paul R. Karas, son of Diane Karas of Fredericksburg and Kenneth Karas of Alexandria, recently graduated from the Fire Control Technician School with honors.
During the course at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill., students receive instruction in the electronic weapons systems installed aboard U.S. warships. Studies include operating principles and procedures for radar, digital computers and related shipboard equipment used to control the firing of guns, missiles and torpedoes.
Karas is a 2008 graduate of Riverbend High School of Fredericksburg and joined the Navy in September 2011.
Department of the Army Civilian Kimberly Ross received an Army Contracting Command Contracting Excellence Award during the U.S. Army Contracting Command's third annual contracting awards ceremony. Ross is a contract specialist assigned to the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. She has worked in federal service for three years. She is the daughter of Terry Ross of Yuma, Ariz., and Sandra Ross of Alexandria. She is the granddaughter of Michie Kosaka of Lahaina, Hawaii.
Navy Seaman Ashley M. Jessup, daughter of Martha J. Sherrill of Woodbridge and John H. Jessup, of Alexandria, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Jessup is a 2008 graduate of Gar-Field Senior High School of Woodbridge, Va.
Navy Seaman Recruit Mikea M. Reed, daughter of Tisha S. Ware of Alexandria and Michael H. Reed, of Temple Hills, Md., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Reed 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.
Reed is a 2011 graduate of T. C. Williams High School of Alexandria.
Navy Seaman Recruit Benjamin Patterson, son of Susan Patterson of Mullica Hill, N. J. and Andrew Patterson, of Alexandria, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Navy Seaman Recruit Kyle W. Roberts, nephew of Sheryl Sims of Alexandria, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Army National Guard Pvt. Stephen E. Offenbacker 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.
Offenbacker is the son of Connie Offenbacker of Alexandria. He is a 2004 graduate of Centennial High School, Peoria, Ariz.
Air Force Airman Marlena R. Mitchell 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. Mitchell is the daughter of Lenora Mitchell of East Lafayette Avenue, Baltimore, and sister Hamid Mitchell of Morgan Court, Alexandria. She is a 2005 graduate of Lake Clifton Eastern High School, Baltimore. She earned an associate degree in 2011 from Baltimore City Community College, Baltimore.