Military Notes
Private Matthew Burrows, the son of Mike and Susan Burrows, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. Burrows successfully completed 12 weeks of training that challenges new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Burrows and his fellow recruits began their training each day at 5 a.m. by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Burrows spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments, which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.
Burrows also received instructions on the Marine Corps? core values ? honor, courage and commitment, and what the words mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. Burrows and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team effort and problem-solving evolution.
After graduation from Parris Island, he will be stationed at Camp Geiger for three weeks of combat training. He will begin additional training at Fort Sill, Okla., after combat training. Burrows is a 2005 graduate of WCHS.
Lt. Col. Stender wins federal honor
Lt. Col. Lori Stender, the daughter of McMinnville resident JoAnn Stender and the late John Stender, was recently named the Alaska Category III Federal Employee of the Year.
Stender is the joint operations center chief for Alaskan command. She was a key leader in establishing and developing day-to-day operating procedures for the newly established Joint Task Force ? Alaska.
?She is a superior leader, officer and innovator,? said Col. Brent Johnson.
Stender developed procedures and policies to ensure homeland defense in Alaska to detect and defeat terrorism focused on nationally strategic infrastructure in Alaska.
Another area she spearheaded was tying together the Joint Operations Center to the personnel providing military assistance to civil authorities in Alaska during the potentially devastating natural disasters of volcanoes, earthquakes, wild fires and tsunamis.
Stender was critical in establishing and maintaining close ties with the National Guard and Coast Guard command centers during multiple rescue operations.
As Joint Operations Center chief on duty, Stender was directly responsible for the overwhelming success of the November 2005 presidential visit to Elmendorf by synergizing the command and control with Secret Service and Alaska NORAD Region during the presidential visit. The White House staff rated the visit as the ?smoothest event of 2005? with Stender having a critical role in the operation.
Durham a warrant officer graduate
Brandon E. Durham graduated from the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Daleville, Ala., and was appointed to the rank of warrant officer one.
Durham completed an intense, six-week course conducted in a very demanding, rigorous, high-stressed, and deadline-required environment.
Warrant officers continue to further their training through technical and tactical certification. As the officers gain progressive levels of expertise and leadership, they operate, maintain, administer and manage equipment, support activities or technical systems throughout their Army career. They are highly specialized technical and training experts who provide valuable skills, guidance and expertise to commanders and organizations.
He is the son of Mike Durham and Elizabeth Denton of McMinnville. Durham is a 1999 graduate of Warren County High School.
Hillis joins U.S. Army
Michael W. Hillis has joined the United States Army under the delayed entry program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.
The enlistment gives Hillis the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completing basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station.
The recruit qualifies for a $25,000 enlistment bonus.
Hillis will report to Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla., for basic training Jan. 16. He is the son of Tammy D. Hawkins of McMinnville and Kenneth Hillis of Rock Island.