U.S. Air Force

Air Force Airman Travis A. Thompson graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Thompson 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.

Thompson is a 2007 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School in Ramseur. He is the son of Chad Thompson of Seagrove and the grandson of Pam Thompson of Troy.



U.S. Army

Ryan B. Kivett has been promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. Kivett, a supplier operations director, is assigned to the Defense Logistics Agency in Columbus, Ohio.

He has served in the military for 22 years and is the son of Jerry R. and Wilma Ray Kivett of Ramseur. His wife, Penny, is the daughter of Donald W. Routh of Franklinville and Patty S. Sanders of Asheboro.

The colonel is a 1983 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School in Ramseur, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1987 from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. He earned a master’s degree in 1997 from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.



U.S. Army National Guard

Army National Guard Pfc. Jordan Ellis has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. The training consists of Basic Infantry Training and Advanced Individual Training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, Ellis received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.

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.

Ellis, the son of Michael Ellis of Pleasant Garden, is a 2008 graduate of Randleman High School.



U.S. Army Reserve

Army Reserve Pvt. Brandon E. Boutchyard has graduated from basic military training at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla., under the Split-option Enlistment Program to serve as a member of the Army National Guard or Reserve.

The program allows students between their junior and senior year of high school to attend basic training during the summer after their junior year. After completing basic training, recruits attend National Guard or Reserve weekend drills while still in school.

The summer following graduation, the guardsmen or reservists attend advanced individual training in the career specialty they selected at the time they enlisted.

During basic military training, recruits receive instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Boutchyard is the son of Seyah Varner of Sophia and the grandson of Jean Boutchyard of Hobe Sound, Fla. Boutchyard is currently attending Randleman High School.



Army Reserve Pvt. David M. Phillips Jr. has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Ky.

During the nine-week training period, Phillips received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.

Phillips, the son of David M. Phillips Sr. of Asheboro and Isola E. Gaither of Trinity, graduated in 2008 from Trinity High School.



Information for Military News is sent to The Randolph Guide from military news centers and is published each week as space permits. For more information, call The Randolph Guide at (336) 625-5576 or send an e-mail to news@randolphguide.com