Military notes

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Air Force Airman Breah L. Erdmann, Air Force Airman Charles R. Cooper and Air National Guard Airman Sara L. Theriault graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base.

Theriault is the daughter of Christine Theriault of Bean Street, Livermore, and niece of Melissa Gauthier of Rosewood Lane, Sabattus. She is a 2008 graduate of St. Dominic Regional High School, Auburn.

Erdmann is the daughter of Karen Erdmann of Riverview Drive, Topsham, and granddaughter of Judy Larrabee of Boody Street, Brunswick. She is a 2012 graduate of Mount Ararat High School, Topsham.

Cooper is the son of Wendy Cooper of Mills Street, North Haven, and nephew of Becky Parsons of Hunter Hill Road, Durham. He is a 2011 graduate of North Haven Community School.

The airmen 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.

GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Navy Seaman Apprentice Christopher A. Johnson Jr., a 2012 graduate of Lewiston High School, Lewiston, Maine, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command.

During the eight-week program, Johnson 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.

BRUNSWICK — Army Spec. Collin J. Monette has returned to the U.S. after being deployed overseas at a forward operating base to serve in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Enduring Freedom is the official name given to anti-terrorism military operations involving U.S. troops and allied coalition partners. Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces have been deployed to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. U.S. troops serve in South, Southwest and Central Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific and Europe.

Monette is an indirect fire infantry line company mortarman assigned to the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He has served in the military for three years.

He is the son of Janet Monette of Brunswick, Maine, and Dan Monette of Morris Thomas Road, Cloquet, Minn.

The specialist is a 2009 graduate of Brunswick High School, Maine.

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. — Marine Corps Pvt. Zachary T. Fisette, a 2012 graduate of Mount Ararat High School, Topsham, Maine, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C.

For 13 weeks, Fisette stayed committed during some of the world’s most demanding entry-level military training in order to be transformed from civilian to Marine instilled with pride, discipline and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Training subjects included close-order drill, marksmanship with an M-16A4 rifle, physical fitness, martial arts, swimming, military history, customs and courtesies.

One week prior to graduation, Fisette endured The Crucible, a 54-hour final test of recruits’ minds and bodies. Upon completion, recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem and called Marines for the first time.