Marine Corps Pfc. Thomas L. Myers, son of Tina M. and stepson of John R. Smith of Thurmont, Md., recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., designed to challenge new Marine recruits physically and mentally.
Navy Seaman Joshua N. Jespersen, brother of Sarah A. Jespersen of Fayetteville, Pa., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Jespersen is a 2005 graduate of Millville (Pa.) High School.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Amanda G. Hall, a 1999 graduate of Brunswick (Md.) High School, is in the middle of a scheduled deployment while assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Hall's unit conducted more than 4,000 sorties and provided surveillance, reconnaissance and close air support to ground forces in Iraq. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group participated in Operation Steel Curtain and Maritime Security Operations (MSO).
Hall's squadron flies the F/A-18C Hornet, a single-seat, all-weather fighter and attack aircraft used for force projection, interdiction, close and deep air support, and fleet air defense.
Army Pvt. Christina E. Carpenter, daughter of David and Joyce Carpenter of Hagerstown, graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Carpenter is a 2005 graduate of Washington County Technical High School in Hagerstown.
Army National Guard Pfc. Aaron J. Smithâ^?, son of Lester A. and Janet I. Smith of Martinsburg, W.Va., graduated from Phase I of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) course at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala.
Smith is a 2003 graduate of Martinsburg High School.
U.S. Army Spc. Terry Carpenter II, serving with the Aviation Brigade 603rd Id, returned from Iraq to Hunter Airfield in Georgia on Dec. 29 after serving in Iraq at Camp Taji for more than 11 months.
Carpenter is the son of Terry and Jennifer Carpenter of Hagerstown. He is a 2002 graduate of North Hagerstown High School.
