Tony Cox

Tony Cox was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after completing a 10-week, very competitive and intensive program which educates, trains and evaluates college graduates to ensure they possess the qualifications to lead and command grade officers in the operating forces.

Cox is the son of Steve and Natalie Cox, of West End. He graduated from Pinecrest High School and went on to attend N.C. State University, where he graduated with a degree in business management.

He and his wife, Amanda, currently reside in Wendell. He has recently been enrolled in a 26-week training school at Quantico, Va., where he receives extensive field and classroom applications on tactics and leadership protocol.

Mariah D. Dabbs

Army National Guard Pvt. Mariah D. Dabbs has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

Dabbs is the daughter of Sheila Sherwood, of Pinebluff.

Edward W. Guardo

Edward Wayne Guardo graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

The 32 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support.

Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.

Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve.

The cadet is a student at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla. He is the son of Debra Lynn and Robert M. Long, of Vass. His wife, Shanell, is the daughter of Donald Bonapart and Paulett Jones, both of Fayetteville.

Guardo is a 1997 graduate of Union Pines High School in Carthage, and received an associate degree in 2008 from Central Texas College, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., campus.

Jeremy S. Hargrove

Air Force Airman Jeremy S. Hargrove graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Victor and Charlene Hollingsworth, of West End.

Hargrove is a 2006 graduate of Pinecrest High School.

Kashif D. Horton

Army Pvt. Kashif D. Horton has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. The training consisted of basic military training and advanced individual training (AIT).

During basic training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremonies, military customs and courtesies, map reading, tactics, basic rifle marksmanship, physical fitness, field training and first aid skills. The recruit developed combat skills and handled various weapons available to the infantry soldier.

During AIT, the soldier received instruction to serve as an infantryman/mortarman using light and heavy anti-armor weapons, indirect-fire support and mechanized operations while assigned to a rifle or mortar squad.

The training included weapons qualification, tactics, patrolling, navigation, field communications and combat operations; engagement in infantry combat exercises, battle drills, land mine locating, neutralizing and extracting and survival operations during a nuclear, biological or chemical attack.

Horton is the son of Pamela V. Chalmers, of Southern Pines.

He is a 2006 graduate of Pinecrest High School.

Shawn B. Inman

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Shawn B. Inman, son of Joy S. Tuttle, of King and Steve B. Inman, of Southern Pines, recently reported for duty with Training Squadron 22, Naval Air Station, Kingsville, Texas.

Inman is a 1988 graduate of Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, and joined the Navy in May 1992. He is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., with a bachelors degree.

Lawrence H. Jasper

Navy Seaman Lawrence H. Jasper, son of Kenya L. Quick of Aberdeen, and Lawrence H. Jasper of Hoffman, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., with honors.

During the eight-week program, Jasper completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations." This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Jasper is a 2009 graduate of Richmond Senior High School, in Rockingham.

Devon J. Malarkey

Air Force Airman Devon J. Malarkey graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Brie Bucknell, of Acushnet, Mass., and grandson of Richard Lemke, of Pinehurst.

Malarkey is a 2009 graduate of Old Colony Regional Technical High School, Rochester, Mass.

Brandon W. Miller

Army Reserve Spec. Brandon W. Miller has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches and field training exercises.

He is the son of John Miller, of Aberdeen.

Miller graduated in 2003 from Hoke High School, Raeford, and received a bachelor's degree in 2008 from East Carolina University, Greenville.

Christopher Nolan

Christopher J. Nolan has graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

During the 14 weeks of training, the officer candidate received "basic soldiering" instruction in leadership, professional ethics, soldier team development, combined arms tactics, weapons defense, combat water survival, squad drill, intelligence, field training exercises, day and night land navigation, confidence obstacle course, common core tasks, communications, staff and general military subjects, and physical fitness tests which include three, four and five-mile runs, and foot marches between 5-10 mile routes.

The candidate is tested on leadership skills and team work abilities required of a commissioned officer. Students learned to utilize acquired skills to function in "leader and follower" positions in squad and platoon sized elements, and evaluated in various leadership garrison positions while in a stressful and demanding field environment.

Nolan, an ordnance officer, is the son of James F. and Eileen Z. Nolan, of Vass.

The lieutenant graduated in 2003 from Terry Sanford High School, Fayetteville, and received a bachelor's degree in 2007 from N.C. State University.

Donavan A. Purcell

Air Force Airman 1st Class Donavan A. Purcell graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Willie Purcell Jr. of Apex, and brother of Tiffini Ross, of Southern Pines.

Purcell is a 2003 graduate of Pinecrest High School.

Joshua K. Talbert

Air Force Airman Joshua K. Talbert graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Marybeth Pait, of Carthage, and grandson of Joyce Pait, of Southern Pines.

Talbert is a 2008 graduate of Union Pines High School.

Laura B. Turner

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Laura B. Turner graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

She completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

She is the daughter of Tom Bernett, of Southern Pines.