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Patrick J. Zanelotti has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor's degree from the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington.
The new officer will be branched to a specific corps in the Army to serve on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserve. The lieutenant will attend an officer basic course relating to his or her particular military occupational specialty/job. Afterward, the officer will complete advanced training by attending basic officer leadership courses for career progression purposes.
The ROTC curriculum prepares students with the tools, training and experiences to help them succeed as effective leaders in any competitive environment. Army officers serve as leaders, counselors, strategists and motivators, who lead other soldiers in all situations occurring in ever-changing environments. As trained problem-solvers, key influencers and planners, they are driven to achieve success with their team on every mission.
Zanelotti is the son of John and Linda Zanelotti of Lewis Woods Court, Chantilly. In 2004, the lieutenant graduated from Paul VI Catholic High School, Fairfax.
Marine Corps Pfc. Willy A. Maldonado, son of Zoila F. De La Rivera of Centreville, recently completed the Administrative Clerk Course at Personnel Administration School, Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, Camp Lejeune, NC. During the eight-week course, Maldonado learned basic skills and knowledge in personnel management and administration procedures. With his newly acquired knowledge, Maldonado is ready to prepare personnel evaluations and reports, leave authorizations, military identification cards, and official orders for Marines changing duty station. Maldonado is a 2007 graduate of Frederick Douglass High School of Upper Marlboro, Md., and joined the Marine Corps in January 2008.
Air Force 2nd Lt. Jonathan F. Koch has graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The student earned silver wings with an aeronautical rating of pilot in the Air Force.
Student pilots start the 52-week SUPT program by attending a three-week preflight phase consisting of academics and physiology training for flight preparation. Followed by phase two primary training conducted in T-37 Tweet aircraft to learn flight characteristics, emergency procedures, takeoff and landing procedures, aerobatics, and formation flying. Students also practice night, instrument and cross-country navigation.
Koch is the son of Brian O. and Mary E. Koch of Braddock Ridge Drive, Centreville.
In 2002, the lieutenant graduated from Centreville High School, and received a degree in 2006 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs.
Navy Reserve Seaman Recruit Kevin L. Vogl, son of Christina W. Vogl of Centreville, and Paul W. Vogl of Portland, Ore., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, Vogl 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. Vogl is a 2006 graduate of Chantilly High School of Chantilly.
Stephen M. Fellows 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, rifle marksmanship, small arms tactics, weapons training, drill and ceremony, communications, combat water survival training, rappelling, land navigation, and squad-level operations field training. The cadet is a student at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Va. He is the son of Charles and Mary Ann Fellows of S. Springs Court, Clifton. In 2006, Fellows graduated from Centreville High School, Clifton.