Spittle finishes infantry training

COLUMBUS, Ga. — Army Pfc. Kevin D. Spittle has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning. The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training.

During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier 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.

Spittle is the son of Keith Spittle of O.S. Drive, Waxhaw, and Becky Stover of Lonnie Little Road, Marshville.

He is a 2009 graduate of Anson High School in Wadesboro.

Horne completes Navy basic

GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Navy Seaman Recruit Nicholas J. Horne, grandson of Diana Curzon of Marshville, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command.

During the eight-week program, Horne 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, which gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.

Horne is a 2007 graduate of Gateway Charter High School of Fort Myers, Fla.