Newsmakers for the week of Nov. 18:

Banks graduates basic training
Air Force Airman Brandon C. Banks has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Adrian Smith of Stone Mountain and Shelia Westfall of Hinesville.
Banks is a 2006 graduate of Bradwell Institute, Hinesville.

Durfy graduates basic training
Air Force Airman Heather N. Durfy has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Durfy is the daughter of Nancy and David Durfy of Midway.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of Liberty County High School, Hinesville.

Sapp graduates basic training
Air Force Airman Charles H. Sapp III has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Charles and Fascia Sapp of Midway.
Sapp is a 2007 graduate of Liberty County High School, Hinesville.

Parker graduates officers’ training
Alena S. Parker has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. The ROTC cadet has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.
The 33 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.
She is the daughter of Celia V. Parker of Allenhurst.
Parker is a 2003 graduate of Bradwell Institute, Hinesville.

Mortensen graduates basic training
Air Force Airman 1st Class Nolan M. Mortensen has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Steven Mortensen of Allenhurst and Charvette Costa of Marysville, Wash.
Mortensen graduated in 2002 from Marysville-Pilchuck High School, Marysville, and received an associate degree in 2004 from Universal Technical Institute, Avondale, Ariz.