MILITARY MOMENT: Morris men graduate from Marine basic training
Seidler, Yard will return to San Diego for infantry training
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Pvt. Adam Seidler and Pvt. Mark Yard, both of Morris, graduated Friday, Jan. 29, from basic training at the Marine Corp Recruit Depot in San Diego, Calif.
Seidler and Yard were part of the 2nd Battalion, Echo Company, Platoon No. 2106.
A welcome home party for the two Morris men was held Saturday, Jan. 30, at the American Legion Hall in Morris.
Seidler is the son of Jeff Seidler and Mary Ann Kegley of Morris. He graduated form Morris Community High School in 2009.
Yard is the son of Darla and Keith Yard of Morris. He also graduated from Morris Community High School in 2009.
Seidler and Yard will return to Camp Pendleton in San Diego on Tuesday, Feb. 9. They will report to the School of Infantry for eight weeks of infantry training.
Bailey graduates infantry training
Army Pvt. Stephen M. Bailey has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. 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, 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.
Bailey is the son of Tracy and Dave Casto of Prairie St., Marseilles, Ill. The private is a 2008 graduate of Morris Community High School.
