Military newsmakers
Army training graduate
Ruben Rentas, of Harlem, is a recipient of a $1,500 college scholarship to the University of Georgia through the Scholarships for Military Children Program. He is the son of Carmen and Ruben Rentas.
Special photo
Army Reserve Pvt. Dale A. Tupper has graduated from the Power-Generation Equipment Repairer Advanced Individual Training course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Md. He was trained to perform unit, direct support or general support maintenance functions on power-generation equipment. This included repair and overhauling internal combustion engines, tactical utility, power generation sets and associated equipment. He is the son of Dave A. and Marliyen F. Tupper, of Martinez and is a 2004 graduate of Evans High School.
Army scenario participant
Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Rodney J. Abercrombie, a member of the 48th Brigade Combat Team, recently participated in a realistic scenario offered by the Army at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. The Georgia National Guard soldier is a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment based in Calhoun, with a unit in Douglasville. The center in southern California in the Mojave Desert is the premier combat training center for desert warfare. Abercrombie is a tactical intelligence officer with 10 years of military service. He is the son of George and Elfrieda Abercrombie, of Martinez. Abercrombie graduated in 1983 from Evans High School and received a bachelor's degree in 1998 from Georgia Southern University.
Uniformed Services graduate
Jennifer M. Hoffman has graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. The graduate received a medical degree and was commissioned to the rank of captain, with a seven-year active duty service commitment. She is the daughter of Edward and Pamela Hoffman, of Martinez. Hoffman graduated in 1996 from Evans High School and received a bachelor's degree in 1999 and earned a master's degree in 2000, both from Georgia State University.
Army scenario participant
Army National Guard Spec. Richard G. Vaughan, a member of the 48th Brigade Combat Team, recently participated in a realistic scenario offered by the Army at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. The Georgia National Guard soldier is a member of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment based in Cordele. Vaughan is an infantryman with eight years of military service and is the son of William H. Vaughan, of Thomson, and Barbara J. Judson, of Jekyll Island, Ga.
Army scenario participant
Army National Guard Spec. Jonathan D. Sketoe, a member of the 48th Brigade Combat Team, recently participated in a realistic scenario offered by the U.S. Army at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif. The Georgia National Guard soldier is a member of the 178th Military Police Company based in Monroe. Sketoe, a military police with three years of military service, is the son of Larry Sketoe, of Harlem. He is a 1999 graduate of Harlem High School.
Basic training graduate
Army National Guard Pfc. Tasha R. Peterson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia. Peterson is the daughter of Jennifer Bentley, of Evans.
Uniformed Services graduate
Jamie D. Bulken-Hoover has graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. The graduate received a medical degree and was commissioned to the rank of captain, with a seven-year active duty service commitment. She is the daughter of James D. and Gail K. Bulken, of Evans. Bulken-Hoover graduated in 1993 from Evans High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1997 from Tulane University.
ROTC college scholarship
Aaron R. Holland has received an Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps college scholarship offer. The cadet was selected to receive the scholarship certificate on the basis of comprehensive tests, high school scholastic achievement, and extracurricular activities. On graduation from college and completion of the ROTC program, the cadet will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. His parents are Diane L. and Robert A. Holland, of Harlem. He is a 2005 graduate of Harlem High School.
Marine course graduate
Marine Corps Pvt. Aaron T. Key, son of Gloria Reese, of Grovetown, and Hubert Key, of Augusta, recently graduated from the Marine Corps' Basic Refrigeration Mechanic Course. Key joined the Marine Corps in October.
Basic training completion
Marine Corps Pfc. Joshua M. Stankus, son of Eilen M. Stankus, of Evans, and Seth J. Stankus of Gig Harbor, Wash., 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.