MILITARY NEWS

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Four Rogers residents recently re-enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard with these assignments:

Pfc. Nicholas Birchfield, Charlie Company 1st Battalion 153rd Infantry;

Spc. Timothy Bonnoitt, Institute Support Unit as a wheeled vehicle mechanic.

Spc. John Felts, HHC 217th BSB Fires Brigade;

Spc. Marcos Macias, Bravo Company 39th Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

Four local recent enlistees in the Arkansas Army National Guard will be sentfor basic and specialized training before assignment:

Springdale - Pvt. Paul Blohm Jr., Fort Lee, Va., Bravo Company 217th BSB Fires Brigade as an allied trades specialist; Pvt. Bacilio Osorio, Fort Benning, Ga., Charlie Company 1st Battalion 153rd Infantry as an infantryman;

and Pvt. Joseph Dawson, Fort Lee, Va., Alpha Company 217th BSB Fires Brigade as an ammunition specialist.

Hindsville - Pvt. Joshua Newberry, Fort Sill, Okla.;

Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 142nd Field Artillery as a multiple launch rocketsystem crewmember.

Navy Midshipman Michelle C. McCollum, daughter of Leanna L.

and Luke M. McCollum of Bentonville, recently completed ‘Plebe’ Summer at the U.S. Navy Academy.

Plebe Summer began on Induction Day, June 27, and concluded after seven challenging weeks of basic midshipman training.

Plebe Summer activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, obstacle, endurance and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mentaland team-building skills, as well as 40 training hours devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and formal parades.

Throughout the summer, new midshipmen rapidly gain general knowledge of seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing and handling yard patrol craft.

Plebes also learn how to use 9mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

McCollum is a 2013 graduate of Bentonville High School.

SEND MILITARY NEWS TO [email protected].

Life, Pages 7 on 09/25/2013