Coast Guard Fireman Joshua M. Brandsma, a Hall County native, graduated with Company Foxtrot 184 on Dec. 17 at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J. He completed eight weeks of Coast Guard basic training and was voted by his peers as one of the companies mentors. Brandsma was awarded the John W. "Jack" Campbell Physical Fitness Award for his company recognizing the graduating recruit who demonstrated the highest level of physical fitness during recruit training. Brandsma completed the specialist courses of aid in minor navigation and advanced aid navigation training in Yorktown, Va., March 4. He is currently completing his training toward position of machinery technician. He is the son of Scott A. and Roseanne Brandsma of Murrayville and graduated in 2007 from North Hall High School. He is currently stationed in Charleston, SC.
Army Pvt. Joshua Burgess has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning near Columbus. The nine-week training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training. The Advanced Individual Training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area. Burgess is the son of Sherry Griffey of Deerlope Court, Gainesville, and Butch Burgess of Cary, N.C.
Uniform News
Recognition and notes from service members here and abroad
