MILITARY MOMENT: Opyd completes Navy’s basic training

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Navy Seaman Apprentice Luke E. Opyd, son of Kellie E. Cuautle of Bartlett, Ill. and John E. Opyd of Gardner, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training and was meritoriously promoted to his current rank at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Opyd 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 in today’s U.S. Navy.

Opyd is a 2005 graduate of Coal City High School of Coal City.

Bain completes Army training

Army Pvt. Nicholas R. Bain has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the son of Kimberly Bain of S. River Road, Joliet.

Bain is a 2008 graduate of Minooka Community High School.